On Mon, Dec 22, 2014 at 03:29:13AM -0500, [email protected] wrote: > >From: Jason McIntyre <[email protected]> > >Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2014 14:26:09 -0700 (MST) > >To: [email protected] > >Subject: CVS: cvs.openbsd.org: src > > > >CVSROOT: /cvs > >Module name: src > >Changes by: [email protected] 2014/12/18 14:26:09 > > > >Modified files: > > usr.sbin/relayd: relayd.conf.5 > > > > Log message: > > an hex -> a hex; > > > > as far as i am aware, 'an hex' is actually correct english. 'h' is a special > case for a consonant. i am not quite sure why, perhaps some more ancient > pronunciation of 'a', but it is commonly used eg 'an historial event'. > > it is a somewhat more obscure nuance in the language, so i am actually > slightly surprised someone got it right the first time. >
it is correct only if you want to sound like a pillock. modern english does not routinely use "an" before words beginning "h". it depends on the sound. you could have "an h-bomb", but not "an house". "an historical event"...well some folks would insist that reads better. of course, you *can* do it for comic effect, but it's best not to just drop "an" because the noun starts with an "h". some folks do drop their "aitches", so they might say "an ex". that would be ok, but confusing. i'm sure if you scout online you'll find some better details (as well as some conflicting ones ;) jmc
