How do you pronounce 'Willys'?

[Xspurt]

What if the old guy didn't even know how to pronounce his own name? It takes extra effort to sound an E so maybe he was lazy or just talked weird like many of his day.

I like the Will-eez version so I'll stick with that. People get worked up over these car names. I ran into a couple of people who insisted on adding a giant ass AH at the end of Porche and then tried to always "correct" you when you didn't add their mythical "AH" sound. Then there's the ear cringing way some pronounce Jaguar: They over emphasize each syllable - "Jag You Are" with pauses and all, like that's supposed to be something! LOL!

I just wish people whould stop adding the letter T to the back of the word "across" or NOT adding the T at the very end of the word "height." Then there's the group that likes to pronounce the silent T in "often." Next we'll start hearing people trying to pronounce the D in "wednesday" LOL!!

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[The Last Cowboy]

Promotional video from the early 50s or so. Pronounced Will-eez mostly in this one.




Pronounced Will-iss in this one.

 

[OSCAR II]

I heard Willis a couple months ago for the first time. I have friends that have 41, 42 Willys coupes when I told them they laughed. Personally I don't know any jeep owner that calls it a Willis. Its a new one in this area.

 

[sourdough]

great video. My understanding is, back in the day 1908, it was Willys-Overland Motors and pronounced, Willis, as was the founder, John North Willys family name. WWII and Jeep seems to be the period folks started up Willyeeze.

 

[Ratbert]

Promotional video from the early 50s or so. Pronounced Will-eez mostly in this one.




Pronounced Will-iss in this one.

I love the "Jeepers, that's just what I need!" quote.

1,500 miles on $15.35 worth of gas is also pretty compelling!

I thought that overland was a relatively new term. Apparently not.

 

[AFD]

Then there's the ear cringing way some pronounce Jaguar: They over emphasize each syllable - "Jag You Are" with pauses and all, like that's supposed to be something! LOL!

I'm not British, but often enjoy pronouncing things like Jag-u-ar and alu-min-ium just to be a douche.

 

[camo4stealth]

Willeez, kind of like willy and the poor boys.

 

[Jmos4]

Hi,

It's pronounced "Willies" for example the hot rodders don't call a 1940's car a Willis, it's a Willys (willies) coupe/sedan long before the Jeep existed

Regards,
Jim

 

[The Last Cowboy]

I'm not British, but often enjoy pronouncing things like Jag-u-ar and alu-min-ium just to be a douche.

Down here we say Jag-wahr. Up north they say Jag-wire.

 

[The Last Cowboy]

I love the "Jeepers, that's just what I need!" quote.

1,500 miles on $15.35 worth of gas is also pretty compelling!

I thought that overland was a relatively new term. Apparently not.

Can you imagine going to a service station today (they few that are left) and finding the guy wearing a bow tie, service hat and a mechanics coat?

 

[garykk]

Down here we say Jag-wahr. Up north they say Jag-wire.

we all know you talk funny down there? The proper way is Jag Wah up in New England ?

 

[T Town]

I grew up in Toledo and had relatives who worked at the old plant and I never heard it pronounced like Bruce Willis.
I don’t know the correct pronunciation but the colloquial pronunciation is “Willeeze”.

 

[old mike]

Time is precious. Don't waste it. Just say "Rooobeecon."

 

[LarryB]

I saw an old interview where John Willys said his name like “Willis.” So, if you are being technical, it would be said that way. However, it is more fun to say like “Billy,” so I still say it that way.

 

[dragoneggs]

What if the old guy didn't even know how to pronounce his own name? It takes extra effort to sound an E so maybe he was lazy or just talked weird like many of his day.

I like the Will-eez version so I'll stick with that. People get worked up over these car names. I ran into a couple of people who insisted on adding a giant ass AH at the end of Porche and then tried to always "correct" you when you didn't add their mythical "AH" sound. Then there's the ear cringing way some pronounce Jaguar: They over emphasize each syllable - "Jag You Are" with pauses and all, like that's supposed to be something! LOL!

I just wish people whould stop adding the letter T to the back of the word "across" or NOT adding the T at the very end of the word "height." Then there's the group that likes to pronounce the silent T in "often." Next we'll start hearing people trying to pronounce the D in "wednesday" LOL!!

My wife says, "Don't axe me!" instead of "Don't ask me!" I laugh and tease her every time.

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