Recently I have been hearing the word "sword" a lot. This has very much to do with the fact that it is in the Airmen's Creed.

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airman's_Creed)

The word "sword" brings many awesome images to my mind when I hear it. It conjures up bright flashing katanas, or black stealthy ninjatos, rapiers, foils, broadswords, claymores, you name it. However, it brings pain to my ears as if a "sword" were being shoved into them when someone pronounces it wrong.

I have heard a few people really go crazy with the "w" in the word "sword."

I will direct you to an online dictionary that has a voice pronunciation guide on how to say "sword" correctly.

(http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/sword)

Just click on the little speaker icon and it will show you the light.

Now for those of you who need more than one reference, behold!

1. (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sword)

2. (http://www.yourdictionary.com/sword) this dictionary is actually more lost than the poor souls at my work, it was pronouncing it "smells-word." Who knew?

3. (http://www.thefreedictionary.com/sword)

4. (http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/features/dictionary/DictionaryResults.aspx?refid=1861717595)

5. Here is a link to 28 other dictionaries. I don't want to list anymore.

(http://www.onelook.com/?loc=pub&w=sword)

There you have it. 31 (minus the retarded one) dictionaries online (and as we all know, everything we read/hear online is true) say that you don't pronounce the "w."

An Open Letter:

Dear Co-workers who insist on living in ignorance and pronouncing "sword" with a very heavy accent on the "w," You are wrong. Stop saying "swwwword" and start pronouncing it correctly. Sean Connery's antics on Celebrity Jeopardy are funny. You are not. You sound stupid. So, please either say it right or stick a "swwword" in my head so I don't have to hear your idiotic pronunciations. Better yet, stick the "sword" in your head.

Sincerely,

Your friend and co-worker, Richard Hart