Bill,
The differences in pronouciation signify class difference, which were/are a huge issue in England (and the world over) in conjugal alliances. --ED --- In Zen_Forum@yahoogroups.com, <billsm...@...> wrote: > > Mayka, > > It's from an old song entitled LET'S CALL THE WHOLE THING OFF. It's basically about two people who are engaged to be married but find they have so many differences that are thinking about canceling the marriage. > The 'po-tay-to, po-tah-to' is an example of their differences used in the song: > "You say 'po-TAY-to' [pronouncing 'potato' with a long 'a' vowel sound - like 'eh'], > And I say 'po-TAH-to'. [pronouncing 'potato' with a short 'a' vowel sound - like 'ahhh'] > > It's sometimes used to draw attention to the fact that whatever is being argued about is very trivial, or the differences are trivial. > > ...Bill! > Bill: > What does " Po-TAY-to, Po-TAH-to" mean?. > Mayka
