How does Menzies become Ming???

[dark matter]

I have heard of silent letters but this is pushing it a bit. I mean even if the Z was silent it still wouldn't work. Plus it has an 'S' on the end so how and where did it get to Ming!!! It sounds oriental but looks german maybe???
Can anyone explain???

[Matt]

I have heard of silent letters but this is pushing it a bit. I mean even if the Z was silent it still wouldn't work. Plus it has an 'S' on the end so how and where did it get to Ming!!! It sounds oriental but looks german maybe???
Can anyone explain???

I belive it's Scottish Gaelic.

"Ming" is short for "Mingis" where the Z in Menzies is a transliteration of the Gaelic "yogh" which was originally part of the name.

[Muttley]

Here's a link about the name Menzies.

http://www.rampantscotland.com/clans/blclanmenzies.htm

It comments


Sadly, the correct pronunciation of this name - "mingis" - appears to be dying out.

I remember that my older Scottish relatives always pronounced the name of the newsagent chain as "John Mingis".

[Lord Muck oGentry]

Matt's got it. That pesky little yogh gets around.

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

[DaveWood]

Apparantly Menzies of the newsagent fame is 'supposed' to be pronounced in the same way.

And the latest news:
World thrown into crisis as Menzies Campbell resigns
http://newsbiscuit.com/article/world-thrown-into-crisis-as-menzies-campbell-resigns-219

[MRT]

I'm guessing you not gutted Dave ... ;)

[DaveWood]

I'm guessing you not gutted Dave ... ;)

Oh I'm sure I'll manage to soldier on somehow ;-)

[Soapy Sam]

Compare
Dalzell (or Dalziel) pronounced "Dee- Ell" (DL?)

[Muttley]

Compare
Dalzell (or Dalziel) pronounced "Dee- Ell" (DL?)

Same thing. It's all in the wikipedia link in post #4.