> > Some Time Ago in chat, the discussion turned to the Canadian habit and pronunciation of "Eh?" I insisted, as I clearly remember, that British Columbians pronounced it like the letter "A". The resident Canadians, on the other hand, assured me that I was wrong, that it is pronounced like a short "e." I have been vindicated. Over the last week I read the entire Computer Stupidities section, where I found this gem:
> >
> > Back in the good old pre-PC days we sold a system that required the user to hit Ctrl-A in order to sign on. We sold one to some outfit in Canada. Well, trying to get them going over the phone took an hour. We'd say, "Hit Ctrl-A," and they'd say, "Ok, we hit Ctrl, eh? And nothing happened, eh?"
> >
> > As you can all see, the Ultimate Authority of Rinkworks in its own domain clearly supports my recollection.
> >
> > gab"Right again :)"by
>
> Ok, I am full Canadian and I generally pronounce 'Eh' with the short 'e' if it is used alone. This pronounciation is generally used in the place of a question, most commenly "(say) what?". It's true that the long 'A' sound is also spelt the same way, however it is generally used in place of the word 'okay' or 'Hey (you)', depending on where is in the sentance. For example, in the phrase, "Eh, turn on that stove, Eh?" the first 'Eh' takes the place of 'Hey (you)' and the second 'Eh' takes the place of 'okay?'
>
> Therefore, the prononciation of 'Eh' will depend upon where in the sentace it is being used, and if it is being used alone or within a sentace.
>
> -Ka"And I'm pretty sure that's right, Eh?"z!


Wrong.

(-: Well okay, your explanation of *why* it's used... as a sort of catch-all expression that means "Hey (you)", "Okay", and "say what?" is perfectly correct. In fact, I don't think I've ever heard anyone else explain it better. Yet I've talked to Canadians from all over... and also the ex-Canadians living in Florida... And I'm pretty sure in normal speech we pronounce it "Ey" with the long 'A' sound at the end of a statement. Granted, some of them say something like "uh?", which is their version of "huh?" But the only person I've ever heard say "eh" at the beginning of a sentence is Bugs Bunny, as in "Ehh, whassup, Doc?"

Of course, I've never been to Edmonton, so maybe "eh" is a regional thing in central Alberta. Certainly didn't hear it in Calgary, Banff, Drumheller, Lake Louise, or even at the Athabasca Glacier.

Wolf "say what?" spirit