Orthodox Vernacular

When I was a kid, my mom really emphasized correct English grammar. One way this emphasis manifested was in the pronunciation of "wh" words. I remember her saying to me "what, where, who" and emphasizing the little blow of air difference between "will, were, and wonder." I took it with a grain of salt, figuring it was good information to keep in my head, even if I didn't need to make sure I did it every time.

I'm sure that many of us are familiar with this clip, the best and one of the only good Family Guy episodes where little Stuey debates the pronunciation of Wil Wheaton's name with Patrick Steward.

I guess my mother's emphasis crept into my accent somehow without my focusing on it, because I'll just be talking about something unrelated when Dale, my husband, will enthusiastically interrupt with a few spirited "Whil Wheaton!"s.

While I never would have made a choice to argue for it before this week, I will defend whatever unconscious habits I have to speak with good grammar. After having been pressed to form an opinion, I think the discouragement to "wh" your words is similar to people who think "ain't" should be added to the dictionary as accepted pronunciation.  So, I'm taking a vote: all those who speak with a "wh" speak up!

P.S. Any of you who want to criticize my grammar or spelling in this post other than the "wh" pronunciation, please refer to this post!