You’ve probably been pronouncing Primark wrong for years… but shoppers can’t agree on the right way
PRIMARK is a high street favourite selling everything from Beauty and the Beast mugs to Love Island t-shirts, but has been the source of a serious debate lately.
Many people have taken to Twitter to argue over the pronunciation of the name, and it is clear people fall into two camps - those who called it “Pr-eye-mark” and those who call it “Pree-mark”.
Some have revealed that the disagreement over the name has even caused a rift in their family.
One Twitter user Michael @kickthetradgedy said: “my mum says primark instead of preemark, I think I'm adopted.”
And Laura @Lauraloolims commented: “Preemark for me. Only poshies call it Preyemark x”.
And Niamhy Bolger agreed saying: “Like literally every single person I know pronounces it "Preemark" cause saying "Prymark" makes it sounds like you think it's upmarket.”
Carolyn Torrington @CarolynTorringt said: “It's always been pronounced preemark since I was little over 30 years ago. It's an Irish company so you'd think we know the right name.”
However many people disagreed and said the correct way to refer to the budget chain is “Pr-eye-mark”.
Rif @tafir117 said: “I die when I hear northerners say Preemark.”
And Joffrey @Tvhid_ agreed and said: “Nothing is more annoying than preemark.”
Meanwhile @Chloewilson tweeted: “My mum just pronounced primark as "preemark" I never want to see this vulgar woman ever again.”
Thankfully Primark has realised that the name has been causing a mix-up with shoppers and address the issue in their “help” section on their website.
Putting the debate to bed once and for all, they answered "How do you pronounce Primark?" in their FAQs.
They wrote: “That's a very good question. We like to use Pr-Eye-Mark.”
BARGAIN HUNT Find out where is your nearest Primark, why don’t they sell online and where can I find out about new products?
In addition to this, many customers may not know that Primark is actually called something completely different in Ireland.
The company originates from Ireland, and opened in 1969 as Penneys.
When the store expanded elsewhere, they changed their name to avoid legal action by US retailer J.C.Penney in 1974.
The store name was changed to Primark everywhere except Ireland, and stores there retain the original name of Penneys.
It isn't the only word that has left people divided over the correct way to say it.
From voila and pumice to sherbet, take this quiz to find out if you have been pronouncing them correctly.
