How many syllables are there in the words "bed" and "store"?

One.

I had a southern accent long ago, but I was forced to learn to talk like a Yankee in order to be better understood abroad. In many places in the south, there are extra syllables in words to accommodate the accent. I also noticed this in Sweden—King’s Swedish, vs Scandian Swedish. By the rules, this can only be used in dialogue, not narrative.

But, to be academically correct and to retain a standard language, the rules must apply.
Syllable Dictionary

Biht.
Stoh.

One syllable, I would say.

And just so you know, “bless your heart” isnt always what it seems to mean.

One, it just gets stretched out in the south..

I’m in the midwest and I say them with one.

Lol, just wait until you get to sweetwater. I have lived here since I was eight and since my parents have a midwestern accent I do too. Everyone says “whaere yuouu fraam” “whaaay yuouu taalkk soo feaaast” I go to Toledo to visit relatives and they’re like: you talk like a hick ya..

@LuckyGuy uno or one. Unless from the south. Then there can be 2 syllables. Bay ad. Sto aw.

I am kind of wondering how many people you are talking to about beds and why.

One.

I didn’t notice that when I lived in TN, but it is true as I hear some of my friends’ voices in my head.

Are you in east TN? In the mountains?

How many sillyballs in a clown’s costume? When worn by said freaky jester type.

In some parts of New York they are both three syllables…..

“friggin’ bed”

and

“friggin’ staw”

@LuckyGuy – you aren’t far enough south.

Go to South Alabama, say around Mobile, and you’ll hear those words have three or even four syllables.

@elbanditoroso
Behahhehêhd?

@rebbel , yeahhhhhhhhhhhhssssssir

@JLeslie There is a huge difference once you get away from Chattanooga or Knoxville and into the backwater areas, especially the further east you go.

^^Oh, I know. That’s why I asked the OP if he is in east TN. In Memphis area we had a big mix of people. Many were not originally from west TN. The strongest accents I would hear were MS and LA transplants. LA has its own uniqueness that isn’t like any other part of the South.

Pigeon Forge. On the way to Kingsport tomorrow.

My father’s name is “Ed.” When my mother says it, she pronounces it “ay-ed.” Southern accents definitely add syllables to words…

^^Something with adding that y sound. I had a neighbor who pronounced her name Kay-ren, she was from MS, but lived in TN in the neighborhood across the street from my house. So hard for me to say, because the name Karen I say with a very NYC accent Kaa-ren. My neighbor would say, “my mom spelled my name southern like how she says it, Kayren.” Lol. It practically was three syllables.

Think of the move My Fair Lady, where Prof. Higgins is trying to get Audrey Hepburn to stop pronouncing ‘ai’ as ‘aye’ and more like ‘ai’

link

I think there’s some connection between Cockney British speech and southern American speech.

One.

One. Im Southern and have heard that all of my life. I really don’t think anyone in my family ever spoke that way. I think it has a lot to do with where you grow up and go to school.

I was talking with a guy from Kingsport. He was telling me about his house with tubates in the ceiling. I was thinking what the heck is a tubeate? Then I realized it was some construction material: a “Tube 8” that must be something used to support heavy roof structure. After too long I realized he was saying “2 by 8” s.
People, please, slow down! We northerers cain’t understan’ alls ya all!

@LuckyGuy – that’s great! Tubates…. I’ll have to ask some of the ‘good ol boys’ I know if they use the term.

I read somewhere about a woman who went to Boston on business, and met a client for the first time. The client welcomed her and said, “Oh….I see you have P.S.D.S”

“I’m sorry…..excuse me ?”

“P.S.D.S…..”

“Huh ?”

The client pinched and shook her own earlobe and said….“You know…...P.S.D.S…...”

Uno.

I remember reading that joke in Reader’s Digest about a thousand years ago @PullMyFinger!

There were more misunderstandings.
They had a collection of nice photos on the wall. The guy said these aren’t from National Geographic, you know.
The wife said: “Bought ‘em I did.”
So I said “They’re nice. Where did you buy them?”

They looked at me blankly.
Apparently she said: “Bottom one I did.”

I have a “friend,” who was more like a son to me in the 90’s, who I reconnected with last year after losing him 20 years ago. He’s black and a full grown man now. He’s lived in the Kansas City area for the last 20 years. MAN I can’t understand him, especially over the phone! Since I’m pretty much Mom, I had to say straight up, “Thurman, I can’t understand a word you’re saying! Enunciate!” So, he’s doing much better now when we talk, although I do have to ask for clarification now an again.