Do you pronounce it "BURNING Man" or "Burning

brody · Post by **brody** » Sun Apr 25, 2010 8:14 pm

I've seen a few old Burning Man movies recently, and I noticed that back in the 90s, most of the people pronounced it 'Burning MAN' (emphasis on the second word). Even in recent interviews with the official Burning Man organization folks in the movie "Dust & Illusions", they still pronounce it that way.

I've always heard it pronounced BURNING Man (emphasis on the first word) by friends and most everyone on the playa.

Which way do you pronounce it?

People who've been going to Burning Man for years-- have you noticed this change? When did you notice it start to switch?

It's just one of those fiddly little language things that I'm really curious about.

yellowdog · Post by **yellowdog** » Sun Apr 25, 2010 9:57 pm

Ha! I've always heard, and pronounced it, BURNING man. (BTW,I've only been going 6 years.) A friend, (who has gone once about 4 years ago)(and really enjoyed it), has always pronounced it burningMAN. With no stop in between. And it really bugs me that she does so. I suppose BURNING man sounds more active, dynamic, pyro. To me, burningMAN sounds gender-weighted, suggesting misandry. I don't know, when she says it, with a glint of passion in her eyes, it seems like she secretly thinks that the burning of men might be a good idea. Scares me a little. On the other hand, dont you think most compound place-names accent the second word? las VEGAS, san FRANCISCO, new ORLEANS, santa FE. Whatever. I go there for the BURNING. So I'll continue to emphasize that.
And, it cracks me up that someone else spends time thinking about such things. Your Burner name should be Safire, like William Safire.

brody · Post by **brody** » Sun Apr 25, 2010 10:03 pm

Nah, I don't need a playa name.

I just am curious because it's a really obvious verbal difference in the movies from the 90s--- EVERYONE in the movie says "burning MAN".

I'm just wondering if anyone here has been around long enough to notice the switchover, or have any additional data.

Fire_Moose · Post by **Fire_Moose** » Mon Apr 26, 2010 8:10 am

I say burningman

or if im in a hurry, burninmn

Post by **Sham** » Mon Apr 26, 2010 8:26 am

I've always pronounced it, BURNING MAN, with emphasis on both words.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Mon Apr 26, 2010 8:47 am

Interesting.
I never noticed a difference, except in the malcolm show.

I think when it is used with additional titles, they would tend to emphasize the second part.
I don't recall a difference in the way people at HQ pronounced it in the 90s.
But it didn't come up often.

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Mon Apr 26, 2010 8:53 am

for me, it depends on how tight the restraints are, and, what my mistress demands I beg for.............

sometimes, I have to say it several ways, until she hears one she likes, at which time, I must sing praise to her and end with said verbiage........

misfit · Post by **misfit** » Mon Apr 26, 2010 11:02 am

we say, black rock.

Ugly Dougly · Post by **Ugly Dougly** » Mon Apr 26, 2010 11:11 am

It's spelled Bunring Man, but it's pronounced throat warbier mangrove.

Thanks for playing!

Isotopia · Post by **Isotopia** » Mon Apr 26, 2010 1:00 pm

I pronounce it CAMP-ingh. Accent on the 'camp'

Boijoy · Post by **Boijoy** » Mon Apr 26, 2010 3:12 pm

If you say Burmingham. No one looks at you like your a freak.
for example, shopping for supplies in Reno.
" I need to buy lots of canned beer because I'm going to Burmingham ". perfectly acceptable. or " What size do these leather panties come in ? Because I'm going to Burmingham " perfectly acceptable.
Try it where YOU live.

ibdave · Post by **ibdave** » Mon Apr 26, 2010 5:26 pm

ygmir wrote:what my mistress demands I beg for.............

sometimes, I have to say it several ways, until she hears one she likes, at which time, I must sing praise to her and end with said verbiage........

ygmir, Glad to see that you paid the extra$$ for the upgrade blow-up interactive doll.... Looks like your still trying to get her/him to understand your voice... I can only afford the $29.69 doll... That genuine lifelike skin cleans up nice..

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Mon Apr 26, 2010 7:28 pm

ibdave wrote:
ygmir wrote:what my mistress demands I beg for.............

sometimes, I have to say it several ways, until she hears one she likes, at which time, I must sing praise to her and end with said verbiage........
ygmir, Glad to see that you paid the extra$$ for the upgrade blow-up interactive doll.... Looks like your still trying to get her/him to understand your voice... I can only afford the $29.69 doll... That genuine lifelike skin cleans up nice..

hahah, IBD, the jokes on you!!!!
I won "HER" in the "Harvey hut" token raffle.........if you noted the numbers at the bottom of the "Harvey hut" tokens, there was a raffle each day, and, I was the winner!!!! on Thursday.

the VR software is indeed difficult......I'm working on hand signals.

Fire_Moose · Post by **Fire_Moose** » Tue Apr 27, 2010 8:07 am

ygmir wrote: I'm working on hand signals.

Gotta give yer pimp hand a work out

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Tue Apr 27, 2010 11:04 am

I pronounce it "the Scottish play".

Ugly Dougly · Post by **Ugly Dougly** » Tue Apr 27, 2010 11:09 am

Bob wrote:I pronounce it "the Scottish play".

Elsewise, thou must exeunt yon dressing room, turn about thrice, knock upon ye door and entreat to be allowed within.

flatlander13 · Post by **flatlander13** » Tue Apr 27, 2010 11:57 am

Firstâ€¦..donâ€™t ever believe anything you see in the moviesâ€¦..that is unless you believe everything you hear or seeâ€¦â€¦but, you donâ€™t seem like that kind of girl

Secondâ€¦â€¦..Brody; what are you doing slumming on Eplaya?

C.f.M. · Post by **C.f.M.** » Wed Apr 28, 2010 7:04 am

I know, right? You have a life. What are you doing here?

I place equal emphasis on both words.