Is the S Silent in Hermes?

When it comes to the pronunciation of luxury fashion brand Hermes, there has been a long-standing debate about whether the “s” at the end of the word is silent or not. Many people have different opinions on this matter, but let’s dive into this topic and find out once and for all: Is the “s” silent in Hermes?

Firstly, let’s take a look at the history of the brand. Hermes is a French high fashion luxury goods manufacturer that was founded in 1837 by Thierry Hermès.

The company specializes in leather, lifestyle accessories, perfumery, luxury goods, and ready-to-wear clothing. The name “Hermes” was inspired by Greek mythology and refers to the messenger of gods.

Now, regarding its pronunciation, in French, Hermes is pronounced as ‘air-mez’ with a silent ‘h’. But when it comes to English pronunciation, there are two possible ways to say it – one with a silent “s”, and another with a pronounced “s”.

The correct English pronunciation of Hermes is ‘er-mez,’ with the “s” being silent. This is because when words are borrowed from other languages into English, their pronunciation can change over time. In this case, since it’s a French word borrowed into English-speaking countries like America and England, it has undergone some changes in its pronunciation.

It’s important to note that not everyone agrees on this matter. Some people pronounce it as ‘her-meez,’ with emphasis on the ‘s’ sound at the end. However, this is technically incorrect according to French language rules.

To summarize – if you want to pronounce Hermes correctly in English-speaking countries like America or England – you should say ‘er-mez.’ Keep in mind that while some people may say it differently or emphasize the “s,” it’s important to follow correct language rules for accurate pronunciation.

In conclusion, while there may be some confusion surrounding the pronunciation of the brand name Hermes, the correct way to say it in English is with a silent “s”. So next time you’re discussing luxury fashion brands with your friends, you can confidently pronounce Hermes correctly and impress them with your knowledge.