Pronunciation Question

[BrookTroutLover]

Embarrassing question from an incurable Pennsylvanian like me:

Gemmie: hard or soft G?

And what is the derivation? Like they are little “gems?”

What part of PA is this common?

My Western Pennsylvania ears never heard this until I started reading the Board 20 years go.

 

[jifigz]

The "G" should sound like a "J," just like in the word "gem."

What's the root of it? Beats me, but I use the term.

 

[PennKev]

What part of PA is this common?

It's not common in actual conversation.

My Western Pennsylvania ears never heard this until I started reading the Board 20 years go.

That's because it's an internet phrase and is now often used to mock the way some people fuss over tiny native trout.

 

[jifigz]

It's not common in actual conversation.

That's because it's an internet phrase and is now often used to mock the way some people fuss over tiny native trout.

As far as I know, gemmie was coined on this board, right?