Letters to Editor - bLetters

We welcome your opinion on public issues, in either of two ways. You can submit a letter to the editor for possible publication in the printed edition. The Virginian-Pilot welcomes letters to the editor on all topics, although concise letters (150 words or less) on public issues will receive priority. Letters may be edited for length, style and clarity and writers are limited to one published letter every month. Please add your name, city, street address and daytime telephone number for confirmation.

The other way is to comment on the published letters in this blog. In this online forum, you can comment as much as you want by using the comment box at the end of each entry.

By e-mail: letters@pilotonline.com

By mail: Letters to the editor - P.O. Box 449 - Norfolk, VA 23501-0449

By fax: (757) 446-2051

Category: Readers' Opinions

Nim-mo, not Knee-mo

Aug 08

7:51 AM

The feature on Nimmo United Methodist Church Church ('Storied history,' Daily Break, Aug. 16) begins by focusing on the erroneous pronunciation of its name as 'Knee-mo.' This seems to have taken on widespread circulation in recent years. I am well aware of the problem; it's my name, too. I've even been told that I'm not saying it right.

I can remember as a child riding with my father along dirt roads from Oceana town (there was no naval air station then) to Nimmo Church, which was far out in Princess Anne County's rural area. Most people had no difficulty with the name then.

The first Nimmo in the area, James Nimmo, came from Scotland and settled in Princess Anne County in 1700. The name, being Scottish, follows the English rule of pronunciation. When two consonants are repeated in a word, each one is pronounced separately and distinctly. Thus, Nim-mo.

William F. Nimmo Jr.

Virginia Beach

View 7 comment(s) Link to post

ADVISORY: Users are solely responsible for opinions they post here and for following agreed-upon rules. Comments do not reflect the views or approval of The Virginian-Pilot or this Web site. Comments are automatically checked for inappropriate language, but readers might find some comments offensive or inaccurate. If you believe a comment violates our rules, click the "Report Violation" link below the comment to alert an editor. Repeat offenders will be denied automatic posting privileges.

justmeinnc

Submitted by Craig Paskewic on Thu, 08/21/2008 at 8:26 am.

Slow day down there in Hooterville, huh?
Now we all know who bought the one computer that was in Mr. Haney's "Magic Bait, Feed and Potion Shoppe".

report violation

Comment

Submitted by ralen4 on Wed, 08/20/2008 at 10:00 am.

Just, with all the problems in the world, you choose to take the time to complain about this?? Interesting that you still read letters and posts from people who live in a region that you think is rife with stupidity; not enough going on in your new locale? I think the stupidity you mentioned left with you, a blessing for the rest of us.

report violation

just

Submitted by justanotheruser on Wed, 08/20/2008 at 6:49 am.

And yet, not only do you continue to grace us with your presence but you take the time to comment on something that you apparently believe is not worth your time.

Doesn't your new locale have an online forum for you to criticize?

report violation

Just

Submitted by Mark Twine on Tue, 08/19/2008 at 10:21 pm.

I trust you didn't let the door hit you on the way out.

report violation

Be thankful

Submitted by justmeinnc on Tue, 08/19/2008 at 7:35 pm.

Be thankful William that this situation is the biggest problem that you have! It must be, you wrote a letter to the editor to complain about it.

I know that the pilot reads and deletes comments on a whim but do they actually read and delete these letters???

There are so many problems facing this nation right now, it's impossible to even take this seriously.

Reason 28 why we left Hampton Roads, Stupidity.

report violation

Speaking of pronunciations...

Submitted by xxJoxx on Tue, 08/19/2008 at 7:14 pm.

When did NoRfolk lose it's R? Hmmmmm Nahhhhfolk? No thanks--this Yank always dilligently pronounces the R--

report violation

Nim-mo

Submitted by ed baskins on Tue, 08/19/2008 at 3:41 pm.

I never knew that. I guess it is in the same league as people pronouncing Greenwich road as "green-witch" instead of "gren-itch" or saying "Hampton Roads" when it is "Tidewater". Also people not knowing the pronunciation for pecan is "peh-con", the other pronunciation is to denote a small chamber pot.

report violation