> When/where/why did the name pronunciation change to include Reavis/Revis > (crevice) and (reevis)? > > Most St. Louis Reavises have pronounced it "reevis" for at least a century > . . . I think my area has always used the other. > > Any clues? Chris, First, I think you have the "crevice/reevis" backwards. The prouncation of REVIS rhymes with "crevice". My wife's family for at least 4 generations back have all been REVIS. "say REV (as in revrand) and ISS" The other spelling REAVIS I'm not as familair with and Barb can answer this better than I because that is her family name. I am associated with a linguistic organization and although I'm no linguist (I'm and engineer).. When TWO vowels occur together as when the name is spelled R EA VIS the "EA" is sounded as one syllabal/sound.. called a dipthong ( a gliding monosylllabic speech sound). Thus in your case in MO the sound chosen was/is the "hard E' as in the sentance "Will you read to me?". Some may make the EA sound as in the sentance "He read the book to me." Same word, two sounds, in different contexts. Language, especially pronouncation of proper names, is very interesting! Much of it is culturally and socially conditioned. Hope this is helpful and not too technical.. Bill :) > > ==== REAVIS Mailing List ==== > ----------------- > Support free volunteer genealogy. > Contribute your data and your time. For details see: > http://www.rootsweb.com/rootsweb/how-to-subscribe.html > RootsWeb supports our research by hosting our mailing list! > Do you support RootsWeb? > ----------------- > > _____NetZero Free Internet Access and Email______ http://www.netzero.net/download/index.html