[Verginius Rufus]

I think it’s a New England trait. Didn’t JFK say “fahmah” for “farmer” and “Cuber” for “Cuba”?

[Myrddin]

I think it’s a New England trait. Didn’t JFK say “fahmah” for “farmer” and “Cuber” for “Cuba”?

Very likely. One of my customers from the Boston area had a typical set of "odd" pronunciations. Forward came out "fah-wood". Peabody was "pee'-buh-dee".