Pronunciation: Lye-nucks or Lynn-ucks???

Question

Pronunciation: Lye-nucks or Lynn-ucks???

wahnula (TechnicalUser)

(OP)

17 May 07 10:50

Hello,

Since I am readying to change our small-office desktops to Linux, I should know the correct pronunciation.  Most of my education comes from reading, and usually there is no pronunciation key.  When I first heard SQL called "sequel" I knew what it was but I had been pronouncing it in my head as "Ess Cue Ell".  Same with "Two S"  (Eye Eye Ess).

I was speaking with a colleague, a programmer and tech-head,  and he called it Lye (rhymes w/ buy)-nucks, but I had heard Lynn (rhymes with Gin)-ucks on Tech TV etc.

So, which is the preferred pronunciation?  Or are both accepted?  Online dictionaries & encyclopedias are all behind the "Lynn" pronunciation, but this is a global forum.  Thanks all.

Tony

sleipnir214 (Programmer) · Answer 1 · 2007-05-17 13:13:29

Here's Linux Torvalds' opinion on the matter:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1061159908534146317

Want the best answers? Ask the best questions! TANSTAAFL!

wahnula (TechnicalUser) · Answer 2 · 2007-05-17 13:22:12

RE: Pronunciation: Lye-nucks or Lynn-ucks???

wahnula (TechnicalUser)

(OP)

17 May 07 13:22

Great answer. Thanks.

Tony

r0gerc (Programmer) · Answer 3 · 2007-05-17 13:29:29

Tony

Linus (Lee-nus) pronounces it "Linn-ucks" so if it's good enough for him it'll do for me!
As far as I know SQL stands for 'Structured Query Language' so "Ess-cue-ell" it is for me, and IIS in not two esses so I call it "Eye-eye-ess".

I'll be interested to see how this ends up!

Regards
Roger

LARiot (Programmer) · Answer 4 · 2007-05-31 15:14:24

If SQL really stands for Structured Query Language why is there no structure to SQL?

The story is that the creators of SQL wanted to call it Sequel but that name was already taken by another product. They chose SQL and pronounced it sequel. It is not, as opposed to popular opinion, an acronym.

wahnula (TechnicalUser) · Answer 5 · 2007-05-31 16:30:23

From:

http://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia_term/0%2C2542%2Ct%3DSQL&i%3D51902%2C00.asp

CODE

Definition of: SQL

(Structured Query Language) Pronounced "S-Q-L" or "see-quill," a language used to interrogate and process data in a relational database. Originally developed by IBM for its mainframes, all database systems designed for client/server environments support SQL. SQL commands can be used to interactively work with a database or can be embedded within a programming language to interface to a database. Programming extensions to SQL have turned it into a full-blown database programming language, and all major database management systems (DBMSs) support the language.

ANSI standardized SQL, but most database management systems (DBMSs) have some proprietary enhancement, which if used, makes SQL non standard. Moving an application from one SQL database to another may require tailoring to convert some commands. The age old dilemma in this business! See MDX, CLI, ODBC and IDAPI.

The following SQL query selects customers with credit limits of at least $5,000 and puts them into sequence from highest credit limit to lowest. The blue words are SQL verbs. See SPUFI.

LOL the saga continues...they even have both pronunciations listed as acceptable... smile

LARiot (Programmer) · Answer 6 · 2007-05-31 21:57:43

I wasn't disputing how people say SQL, just what it doesn't stands for.

ArizonaGeek (IS/IT--Management) · Answer 7 · 2007-06-01 10:41:06

Ok now the real debate, do you pronounce it Windows or Winblows? ponder

Cheers
Rob

The answer is always "PEBKAC!"

wahnula (TechnicalUser) · Answer 8 · 2007-06-01 11:22:42

OK, guys, this has obviously been debated before, here's a funny for a Friday:

http://discuss.fogcreek.com/joelonsoftware/default.asp?cmd=show&ixPost=62158

To back up LARiot's assertion:

Quote:
It's not "Sequel". IBM, way back in the age of dinosaurs had a language called QUEL. They then later revised it and called it (you guessed it) SEQUEL. I don't know this from experience (too young) but I've heard it from a few "old-timers" who used to cringe whenever I referred to our database as "Sequel". Anyway, we all call them our SQueaL Swervers now, so there's no confusion.

My favorite quote:

Quote:

Anyone who places their toilet paper in the incorrect "underhand" position (rather than the obviously superior "overhand" position) must be unfamiliar with the important historical precedent for correct toilet paper configuration.

A rose is a rose... smile

LARiot (Programmer) · Answer 9 · 2007-06-01 18:38:07

Sounds like everyone has a bit of the truth...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SQL

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Pronunciation: Lye-nucks or Lynn-ucks???