> > > > 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
>
> This from Cinescape Online
>
> 'Red Green' Movie
> The long lasting Red Green Show is making its way to the
> big screen. According to the Toronto Sun, production of Red
> Green's Duct Tape Forever will start this fall in Ontario
> with a budget in the $4M range. The film will star series cast
> members Steve Smith, Patrick McKenna, Peter Keleghan,
> Graham Greene and Gordon Pinsent. The Red Green
> Show can be seen in the U.S. on a plethora of PBS TV
> stations.
>
> When this comes out we will all be able to learn the truth about how to pronounce 'Eh'. As well as proably some neat uses of duct tape, eh?
>
> Speed'I'mpullingforya.Wereallinthistogether'ball

If it's media reinforcement you're looking for, then don't overlook Bob and Doug McKenzie from SCTV. Since SCTV was all Canadian, the Canadian television regulation people wanted them to include some "Canadian content", so they created "The Great White North" repeating sketch. This is the show that brought such phrases as "take off!" and "hoser" into the forefront of American culture. They were pioneers, I tell you!
Several years later, they put out a film called "Strange Brew" which found limited success.
Every year at Christmas, my eyes always well up when I hear their rendition of "The 12 Days of Christmas", it's truly inspiring.

Tra "5 golden tukes..., 4 pounds of back bacon, 3 French toast, 2 turtle necks, and a beer... in a tree" nio