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When did the pronunciation of “Los Angeles” change from “Los Angle - Es”
Just me [Vanity] | Today | Just Me

Posted on 01/29/2023 11:13:42 AM PST by lefty-lie-spy

I am a fan of classic radio shows and I notice that until at least the late 1930s, what we know as the city of Los Angeles, California, was always referred to phonetically as, “Los Angle-Es”.

Do any of our old timers or young timers with more knowledge than myself here know, or remember when, the pronunciation change was made, and by who, and why?

You can hear this formerly de facto pronunciation in old radio shows from the 1930s such as this example - https://podcasts.apple.com/jp/podcast/case-closed-old-time-radio/id219708992?l=en&i

I appreciate you all accepting my Vanity post.


TOPICS: Chit/Chat; History
KEYWORDS: chat; education; history; oldtimeradio; vanity
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A thought that crossed my mind again today, and I know some FReeper FRiends must know the answer.
1 posted on 01/29/2023 11:13:42 AM PST by lefty-lie-spy
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To: lefty-lie-spy

It is better known as Los An-hell-es today.


2 posted on 01/29/2023 11:16:02 AM PST by Presbyterian Reporter
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To: lefty-lie-spy

In Spanish, the “g” comes out as an “h.” It’s “Los AN-hel-es.”


3 posted on 01/29/2023 11:17:55 AM PST by Publius
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To: lefty-lie-spy

There were never any angels in ‘los angeles” (The Angels), so, it’s very immaterial what the city is called or how it’s pronounced. The Angles sounds just as good a name as any. Besides, the name came from the Mexicans, so, it could be changed to “The Mejicanos” and at least half the people there would approve and be proud of the name.


4 posted on 01/29/2023 11:20:52 AM PST by adorno
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To: lefty-lie-spy

I hear that pronunciation in old movies from the 50s.


5 posted on 01/29/2023 11:23:40 AM PST by Jeff Chandler (THE ISSUE IS NEVER THE ISSUE. THE REVOLUTION IS THE ISSUE.)
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To: lefty-lie-spy

I’ve lived in the West all my life and always heard it pronounced with the soft “G” as in “City of Angels.” Since most of the old radio shows were made Back East, I’m guessing that “Los Angle-Es” was an “Eastern” pronunciation.


6 posted on 01/29/2023 11:24:20 AM PST by JennysCool ("It's easier to fool people than to convince them that they have been fooled." - Mark Twain)
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To: lefty-lie-spy

Always Los an-gel-us or -iss.

Some people pronounced it Los Angle-us

Usually transplants.

Some said An-gel-eese.


7 posted on 01/29/2023 11:25:55 AM PST by ifinnegan (Democrats kill babies and harvest their organs to sell)
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To: lefty-lie-spy

Those who were born or raised here may have said it that way some time ago, but I get the impression most people in California (or LA) right now were not born and raised here. I’m not.

People like me, from Michigan or Ohio might have found it easier to flatten or iron out the spoken accent than to learn it.


8 posted on 01/29/2023 11:26:22 AM PST by lee martell
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To: lefty-lie-spy

They pronounce it in Spanish, not anglicized English.

I remember John Kerry trying to pronounce Managua Nicaragua in the 90’s. His tongue pretty much tied itself into a knot trying to sound hip.

The residents can pronounce it however they want. I will match their Los Angeles with our Worcester.


9 posted on 01/29/2023 11:27:19 AM PST by Vermont Lt
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To: lefty-lie-spy

Bugs Bunny circa 1963


10 posted on 01/29/2023 11:27:29 AM PST by MortMan (You better bring yours, when you come to take mine. - Creed Fisher)
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To: lefty-lie-spy

Well, obviously the movement toward Spanish pronunciation as that’s what it is — a Spanish proper noun with article. Current pronunciation in English culture is bastardized Espanol with the “o” in Los and the “g” enunciated in a non Spanish way.


11 posted on 01/29/2023 11:27:48 AM PST by steve86 (Numquam accusatus, numquam ad curiam ibit, numquam ad carcerem™)
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To: lefty-lie-spy

Howeverthehellyoupronounce it, give it back to Mexico and remove it from the United States. Maybe then California can have a decent state government that isn’t always rabid leftist.


12 posted on 01/29/2023 11:28:22 AM PST by Gaffer
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To: lefty-lie-spy
“Los Angle-Es” is closer to the original Spanish pronunciation (though it actually more like “Lōs Ankel-hes”.

The original Spanish name of the city is "El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora de los Angeles de Porciúncula" (English: The town of Our Lady of the Angels of Porciúncula). The word, Porciúncula means "Little Portion" and it refers to the little chapel built by St. Francis in Assisi, Italy.

13 posted on 01/29/2023 11:29:15 AM PST by fidelis (👈 Under no obligation to respond to rude, ignorant, abusive, bellicose, and obnoxious posts.)
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To: lefty-lie-spy

And when did ask become ax?


14 posted on 01/29/2023 11:38:13 AM PST by JudyinCanada
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To: Gaffer

California is trending toward a mixture of leftist state government and creeping Mexican cartel influence.


15 posted on 01/29/2023 11:39:42 AM PST by steve86 (Numquam accusatus, numquam ad curiam ibit, numquam ad carcerem™)
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To: lefty-lie-spy

Comin’ into Los Angel-ees
Bringin’ in a couple of keys
Don’t touch my bags if you please, mister customs man


16 posted on 01/29/2023 11:40:40 AM PST by dfwgator (Endut! Hoch Hech!)
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To: lefty-lie-spy

Arlo Guthrie pronounced it that way…

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=J1yA1Kq3uvk


17 posted on 01/29/2023 11:42:38 AM PST by Allegra
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To: JudyinCanada
And when did ask become ax?

I'm still trying to figure out when did Canada turn to Marx?

18 posted on 01/29/2023 11:44:09 AM PST by Fightin Whitey
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To: lefty-lie-spy

I just pronounce it “Ellay.”


19 posted on 01/29/2023 11:44:34 AM PST by Allegra
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To: Allegra

Beat ya!


20 posted on 01/29/2023 11:45:00 AM PST by dfwgator (Endut! Hoch Hech!)
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