Is it "add an URL" or "add a URL"?

[Torsten]

Wikipedia's WikidWeb has a feature that is called "Add an URL". Shouldn't it read "Add a URL"? According to Wikipedia "URL" the standard pronunciation of “URL” is as an initialism (“U-R-L”), although some people pronounce “URL” as an acronym (“Earl”).

TOEIC listening, photographs: In the library

[Jamie (K)]

[Yankee]

Hi Torsten

Every dictionary I've checked lists only one pronunciation for URL -- and that pronunciation requires the use of "a" rather than "an". I've never heard URL pronounced the same as "Earl", but I suppose some people might.

I suspect the use of "an" on WikidWeb might have been just a native speaker typo. When typing or writing (rather than speaking), many people tend to automatically use "an" in front of anything beginning vowel. Using "an" instead of "a" probably often happens when someone isn't "hearing" the written words in their minds as they write. Since "an" is almost always used with words beginning with a vowel, writing "an URL" might have been nothing more than an unthinking, mechanical action.

Of course, it's also possible that the person who wrote "an URL" is someone who insists on saying "Earl". :D

Amy
_________________
"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln

[Yankee]

.
Oops! I didn't see your post before I posted, Jamie.

Having been deprived of "decent" peanut butter for many years here in Germany, and having fond memories of Jiff, I especially enjoyed your little peanut butter story. Pronouncing GIF the same as 'jiff'' sounds even funnier than "Earl" to me. :D

Amy
_________________
"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln

[Jamie (K)]

[Tamara]

Hi

[Tom]

Hi

We should not forget Mister Micawber's advice to Tamara!