Mystery Solved??? A possible solution for the unconventional pronunciation of Abmas

[TrueBlue82]

I have yet to hear a reasonable explanation for how Abmas is pronounced ACE-mas.  However, my family had an epiphany this weekend.  During one of the Ohio State post-game interviews, Max was asked about the pronunciation of his last name.  His explanation was that "the B is silent, and it's a German name".  All of us watching looked at each other and thought "what does having German heritage have to do with AB becoming ACE"???  My son (the smart ORU Engineering alum and current OU medical school student) mentioned that the odd pronunciation might be related to the German letter "Eszett" (literally, the combination of the letters s and z), which is the only German letter not in the Latin alphabet.  It is written as ß, which looks suspiciously similar to the standard letter B.  It is commonly seen in Germany, as the word for street (Straße) includes an Eszett, so most street signs include the unique letter.

So, back to Max...  If his family name originally included an Eszett, is it possible that it was "revised" to a B when moving to America - as many foreigners adjusted their names when moving to the new world?  And in that manner, the B could be pronounced as the Eszett "sz", which would make the phonetic pronunciation: Asz-mas.  

This theory is pure conjecture, but also seems quite plausible.  Has anyone else heard a better explanation?

[ORUJason]

I think you have stumbled on the correct answer.  Well done!

[ORUTerry]

Mystery solved....  good job!

[vcboy2000]

[Old Titan]

Considering the challenges in finding a suitable phonetic alternative in the English alphabet, I would have to say they chose wisely...  #BbeatsSS

 

 

[ORUalum]

Max's dad breaks down the name at the end of this profile...