[General] How to pronounce 'Bayer'

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zenkabob

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I've noticed a few threads on this subject. Though many Americans say 'bear' or 'bare' as in Bayer Aspirin, many people who share the name Bayer on the East Coast pronounce it as 'bye-er' or 'buyer'. I use and prefer 'bye-er'.

What forms of pronunciation do people use in different areas of the country?
 

MikeNewYork

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I've noticed a few threads on this subject. Though many Americans say 'bear' or 'bare' as in Bayer Aspirin, many people who share the name Bayer on the East Coast pronounce it as 'bye-er' or 'buyer'. I use and prefer 'bye-er'.

What forms of pronunciation do people use in different areas of the country?

I pronounce the name of the aspirin as Bare. I deal with the pharmaceutical industry and pronounce the name of the company as Buy er.
 

emsr2d2

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In the UK, people who understand German pronunciation pronounce it correctly as "By-yer". Those who don't, pronounce it as "Bay-yer".
 

SoothingDave

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We just say "bear." And I have worked with the company, though not the pharmaceutical division, but chemicals.
 

MikeNewYork

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In the UK, people who understand German pronunciation pronounce it correctly as "By-yer". Those who don't, pronounce it as "Bay-yer".

The other pronunciation is used in USA, even in the company's own advertising. I suspect that this was a result of the German company losing the rights to Bayer aspirin after WW I.
 
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