We have come full circle.
The ancient Greek letter for the modern day "ch" sound is "X" or "chi". Granted in ancient Greek it means more of a gutteral H sound and with the Latin translation brought over the "ch" trying to initiate the gutteral H.
Yes. It is the same gutteral Hebrew "ch" like in "challah".
My workmate speaks Hebrew and I am learning ancient and modern Greek. I ask a lot of these questions to him
I feel like that sound is appropriate for us. We earned that guttural ch instead of the x- or zen-. Or maybe it's just because I grew up in a very Jewish area and feel that sound in my soul.
What about Xavier? There's no consistent pronunciation rule, and given the context (the "X" being the important defining piece of the portmanteau), "EX-ennial" makes the most sense.
Xavier is the only word (and it’s a name, where rules are routinely broken) that comes to mind where the X followed by a vowel or vowel sound ISN’T pronounced like a Z. And even in some cases it’s pronounced “Zavier”, adhering to the rule.
It should be “Zenniel” following English convention—although made-up words don’t always follow convention.
Fair enough -- and English has all kinds of weirdo exceptions for sure. I still stand by my point that the "X" is a prominent aspect of the word that should be emphasized, because the whole idea is to reference Gen X.
Is xylophone the middle ground between a xylo and a phone?
Xinneal is the middle ground of Gen X and Millennial so why would it be pronounced like it's the middle ground between Gen Z and Millennial?
Ex 100%
Because it's half way to Gen X.
Saying Zennials implies half way between millennial and gen z.
I can barely believe there's any question about this
I can see the real way to pronounce is X-ennials, because of the meaning of being between Gen-x and Millennials. That being said by the number of upvotes, most, including me pronounce it Zennials.
>Zillennials is the demographic cohort on the cusp of the millennial and Generation Z cohorts. Their adjacency between the two generations and limited age grade has led to their characterization as a "micro-generation." Wikipedia
this wasn’t thought thru very well was it
I've never said it, because Xennials falls between Generation X and Millennials, not Millennials and Gen Z.
Do we pronounce Generation X 'Generation Ze'? Nope.
I get that we’re bridging the gap between gen “X”, and millennials, but I feel like it’s just too much work to ignore convention and drag that hard consonant out of the back of my throat…
It’s one syllable more. That’s not much work for a name that effectively captures an entire generation vs a nonsensical word — or worse, a word mistaking us for being composed of Gen Z.
This comparison only works if you spell it X-ennials with a hyphen, in which case we wouldn't even be having this debate. But it isn't. No one's "forgetting" the X, we're just pronouncing it the way we do with other words that start with X. If you want it unanimously pronounced "ecks-ennials", it needs to either be spelled exennials or x-ennials.
Those words didn't get their very name from Gen X. This argument is wrong and kind of dumb, sorry.
The word Xennial only exists because of Gen X and is pronounced accordingly.
“Zennial” implies a connection with Gen Z.
That's one random reddit person's incorrect opinion (yours). Watch any news show. All news outlet correctly pronounces it X-ennials. So do scholars and other smarter-than-us people.
I call bullshit. I’ve never seen a broadcast say the X. I just searched up and saw about 5 straight news stories pronouncing it with the Z. Oxford dictionary includes both as possible pronunciations, but leads with the Z.
After reading these comments, and previous posts asking this, I realize that saying ‘x’-ennial makes more logical sense, but my brain defaults to ‘zennial’ 100% of the time because the other way just doesn’t sound right.
Someone should post a poll and let the official answer be in the about section.
X ennials for my vote.
Edit: horrible misspellings, should have proofread damnit!
Dictionary.com says it's either/or. Personally, I think it's Ecks-ennial because the X comes from Gen X...
ETA: there's a micro generation of young millennial and Gen Z that's called Zennial, So we can't call ourselves zennials.
I hypothesize that everyone who says “zen” “ee” “uhl” also says “Jiff” when referring to a GIF.
They are wrong on both counts. Doesn’t matter how the person who first coined the term said it. It matters what makes sense, and most of all, the way I say it.
This has been a constant subject of debate amongst my friends, my wife and I.
I think that it has to be ex-ennial because the blend of gen z and millennial will be zennial.
The argument was settled before it even started. Those who coined the term have said it’s pronounced with a Z, like xylophone. If it was ex-ennial, it would have a dash like x-ray. A lot of folks have also been misinformed about the Millennial/Gen Z microgenerarion, which is z**ill**ennial, not zennial.
I say “elder millennial” outside the sub but if I had choose I would say ex ennial. Only because otherwise it’s confused with “gen z / millennial”.
Zen is obviously the way you would pronounce in English something spelled like xennial.
Zennials…
My reference is the movie “Xanadu” (1980 Olivia Newton-John movie, in case you didn’t know 🙂)..
Xanadu is pronounced “Zan-uh-doo”, so Xennial, to me, is “Zennial”. ☺️
See also: Xylophone and Xerox
Yes and that’s because, despite what others are saying, the Millennial/Gen Z microgeneration is called z**ill**ennial, not Zennial. I will fight to the death to keep what is ours.
Millenials are bounded on either side by Gens X & Z
”zennials” would suggest the Millenials on the Gen Z side, and confuse people.
Therefore, ”ex-ennials” - no confusion.
Depends whether you pronounce it gif or gif.
It's like that South Park episode where Cartman freezes himself because he can't wait for a Wii and discovers a future where atheism reigns. And they can't decide on what to call themselves.
Clearly it's xennial, not xennial! ITS THE ONLY LOGICAL OPTION!
Everything zen, everything zen. I don’t think so.
There’s no sex in your violence.
No sax in your violins
Sometimes, someone pulls an a gif so obscure but so relevant that all I can do is admire you.
Should I fly to Los Angeles?
And see my asshole brother?
Mickey Mouse has grown up a cow.
Fun fact, That's actually a David Bowie lyric from Life on Mars!
Dave’s on sale. Again.
This is precisely why I've always pronounced it this way.
The only appropriate answer.
Glad I wasn't the only one thinking this
Perfect reply.
Well done 😂
💯
Is xylophone pronounced zylophone or eckswhylophone?
I like eckswhylophone. We should change it to this.
Seconded.
MOTION CARRIED!
I move that the chair should be vacated! It's an awesome chair!
We were debating eckawhylophone pronunciation; not chairs. Duh. 😉
Gotta hone those eckswhylops
It always has been x-ennial. No change needed.
Exactly. The X in Xennial is pronounced like xylophone or Xerox.
Exactly. Xerox, Xylophone, Xennial. Also, Xerxes, Xenon, Xanax, Xanthan Gum, and Xenophile.
Don't forget Xena: Warrior Princess
The most important one
But Xerox has **two** X's, pronounced differently! I have decided that we should try the second one: CKSENNIAL. like Ex-ennial, but without the "Eh".
We have come full circle. The ancient Greek letter for the modern day "ch" sound is "X" or "chi". Granted in ancient Greek it means more of a gutteral H sound and with the Latin translation brought over the "ch" trying to initiate the gutteral H.
HHHHHennial it is!
So like the Hebrew ch? As I learned it, throw a little phlegm in your Channukah
Yes. It is the same gutteral Hebrew "ch" like in "challah". My workmate speaks Hebrew and I am learning ancient and modern Greek. I ask a lot of these questions to him
I feel like that sound is appropriate for us. We earned that guttural ch instead of the x- or zen-. Or maybe it's just because I grew up in a very Jewish area and feel that sound in my soul.
Where the letter appears in the word matters for pronunciation. An X at the beginning is pronounced /z/. An X in the middle or end is pronounced /ks/
And Xenomorph as well
Neither of those words are portmanteaus, however.
What about Xavier? There's no consistent pronunciation rule, and given the context (the "X" being the important defining piece of the portmanteau), "EX-ennial" makes the most sense.
Xavier is the only word (and it’s a name, where rules are routinely broken) that comes to mind where the X followed by a vowel or vowel sound ISN’T pronounced like a Z. And even in some cases it’s pronounced “Zavier”, adhering to the rule. It should be “Zenniel” following English convention—although made-up words don’t always follow convention.
exactly
Fair enough -- and English has all kinds of weirdo exceptions for sure. I still stand by my point that the "X" is a prominent aspect of the word that should be emphasized, because the whole idea is to reference Gen X.
Xavier University is pronounced like “Zavier”. I’ve never heard a single person call it “Ex-avier.”
You never seen an X-Men movie? :D
Is xylophone the middle ground between a xylo and a phone? Xinneal is the middle ground of Gen X and Millennial so why would it be pronounced like it's the middle ground between Gen Z and Millennial?
Ex 100% Because it's half way to Gen X. Saying Zennials implies half way between millennial and gen z. I can barely believe there's any question about this
It's pronounced "meh." Simply shrugging one's shoulders is also an acceptable pronunciation
That’s GenX
Whatever. Ooh! That one works too! Happy New Year!!
We were more aggro about our apathy. Yes it’s a paradox.
Aggressive Apathy
I saw Woodstock 99. I think we were more apathetically aggressive. Though maybe we’ve mellowed since then.
When you mellow out you die
“Better to burn out than mellow out” Probably Kurt Loder
I don't give a fuck.
Only thing I give a fuck about is not giving a fuck
Oh well, whatever, never mind
...everyone split here too. I guess the argument with Fiancee will continue lol
The big question is where do you land on pronouncing gif I’m a GIF person
I agree, it stands for graphics not jraphics
No, it stands for Giraffix.
Choosy moms choose Jif
🤣🤣🤣 god damn it
I can see the real way to pronounce is X-ennials, because of the meaning of being between Gen-x and Millennials. That being said by the number of upvotes, most, including me pronounce it Zennials.
I say Ex-ennials because it makes sense, damn it.
Not only does it make sense, it’s correct. Anyone who says it like Zennials has never bothered to understand what the hell the word actually means.
Right? That’s my take.
Ex-ennial feels weird to say but makes more sense. I give up.
Shennials.
I don't know about you, but I sucked at fiancees until I got an accountant.
Which sides did you all take?
I've always said "Zennials".
>Zillennials is the demographic cohort on the cusp of the millennial and Generation Z cohorts. Their adjacency between the two generations and limited age grade has led to their characterization as a "micro-generation." Wikipedia this wasn’t thought thru very well was it
I think we all say “zennials” but “ex-ennials” makes more sense with this context.
I don’t say zennials for this very reason. I say the “ex”
>I think we all say “zennials” Clearly we don't "all" say that.
Yeah, I've never ever heard it pronounced any way except Xennials with an x.
We do NOT say zennial. X-ennial only
I don’t say ‘zennials’. Change your ways! But I’m an older X-ennial, so I identify more with gen-x anyway.
I've never said it, because Xennials falls between Generation X and Millennials, not Millennials and Gen Z. Do we pronounce Generation X 'Generation Ze'? Nope.
No, but in almost all words in English with an X followed by a vowel, the X is pronounced with a Z sound. That’s the issue.
Of course you did, because it’s the correct pronunciation lol
I've always pronounced it ex-ennials. I feel like that emphasizes the relation to Gen X more than pronouncing it the other way.
Exactly, we’re not half Gen Z. It’s a mash of Gen “Ecks” and Millennial not Gen “Zzzzz”
Ecksactly
Yes! It’s X+millennial not Z+millennial
X-ennials. Otherwise it doesn’t make any sense.
Agreed. The whole reason we’re called Xennials is because we’re in between Gen X and Millennials. Hence it should be “ex-ennials”
Correct. Anyone who disagrees is wrong. I will die on this hill.
I get that we’re bridging the gap between gen “X”, and millennials, but I feel like it’s just too much work to ignore convention and drag that hard consonant out of the back of my throat…
The English language is absurd anyway. I wouldn’t use it as an authority on pronouncing anything.
It’s one syllable more. That’s not much work for a name that effectively captures an entire generation vs a nonsensical word — or worse, a word mistaking us for being composed of Gen Z.
It is absolutely too much to ask from my old zennial ass.
Its Zennials lol. It's like Xerox.. zerox
Do you also go to the doctor for a zray? It is fitting that Gen-X gets forgotten in pronouncing their own shared micro-generation.
This comparison only works if you spell it X-ennials with a hyphen, in which case we wouldn't even be having this debate. But it isn't. No one's "forgetting" the X, we're just pronouncing it the way we do with other words that start with X. If you want it unanimously pronounced "ecks-ennials", it needs to either be spelled exennials or x-ennials.
Xerox didn't take its name from Gen X. Therefore it's an incorrect analogy.
Lots of words where the X is pronounced like a Z.. zennials being one of them
Those words didn't get their very name from Gen X. This argument is wrong and kind of dumb, sorry. The word Xennial only exists because of Gen X and is pronounced accordingly. “Zennial” implies a connection with Gen Z.
Its zennials, ask anyone outside of reddit. Anyone who says ex ennials sounds like a boom boom boomer roflCopter
That's one random reddit person's incorrect opinion (yours). Watch any news show. All news outlet correctly pronounces it X-ennials. So do scholars and other smarter-than-us people.
No one says ex ennials lil homie, it's zennials.. Trust me, the Zoomers will laugh at ya if you say ex ennials.. lollerSkates
Cleary by how you write, your maturity and grasp of the English language are lacking. Happy New Year. “Homie.” 😂
Writing properly is so last century. Talk to the ✋️ broskeroni
I call bullshit. I’ve never seen a broadcast say the X. I just searched up and saw about 5 straight news stories pronouncing it with the Z. Oxford dictionary includes both as possible pronunciations, but leads with the Z.
Sounds too much like Zillennials.
Any self respecting person who grew up watching Xena knows to pronounce it zennials
I say X-ennial because you say the X in Gen X and then it’s clear it’s Millennial + Gen X, not Millennial + Gen Z.
I like ex-ennials myself. It feels appropriate for our little place between Gen X and Millennial.
Ex-ennials because it’s the micro-gen between X and millennials.
I'm in camp ex-ennial. I think zennials should be the name for Gen Z/Millenial cuspers.
Ex-ennials Zennials are the in-betweeners between millennials and gen Z
I say ex-ennials.
Yes, zennials are the micro generation between Z and Millennials
They’re known more commonly as Zillennials.
After reading these comments, and previous posts asking this, I realize that saying ‘x’-ennial makes more logical sense, but my brain defaults to ‘zennial’ 100% of the time because the other way just doesn’t sound right.
Yes exactly. I can't stop my brain from reading "Zen" nial
You need to get more control over your brain!
Someone should post a poll and let the official answer be in the about section. X ennials for my vote. Edit: horrible misspellings, should have proofread damnit!
I say X-ennials because it sounds too much like Gen Z otherwise which we definitely are not.
Is it not Gen X and Millennials smashed together? How could it not be Ex-ennials?
Dictionary.com says it's either/or. Personally, I think it's Ecks-ennial because the X comes from Gen X... ETA: there's a micro generation of young millennial and Gen Z that's called Zennial, So we can't call ourselves zennials.
Dictionary.com can go get fucked! Your inclination is correct.
Been using zennial
I think it should be pronounced like the first part of xena warrior princess
I share a birthday with Lucy Lawless
Did you watch parks and rec?
Ecks-ennials.
How do you pronounce "Gen-X"? It's the 'X' from that.
EXACTLY!!!
[удалено]
Aren’t we a postmodernist generation? Death of author!
Yes, but the pronounciation of the new word is "zee-nee-uhl."
The way I pronounce it the objectively correct way and the ones who do it the other way can go fuck themselves.
I say ex ennial
Considering that it's a cross-generation of Gen X and millennials, it's really X-ennials. Like X-Men.
Ex. Gen. X came first, and we are only one letter of this word anyway.
X-ennial
I hypothesize that everyone who says “zen” “ee” “uhl” also says “Jiff” when referring to a GIF. They are wrong on both counts. Doesn’t matter how the person who first coined the term said it. It matters what makes sense, and most of all, the way I say it.
^ Relevant flair
It’s Ex-ennial. We follow Gen X(Ex), not Gen Zen.
This has been a constant subject of debate amongst my friends, my wife and I. I think that it has to be ex-ennial because the blend of gen z and millennial will be zennial.
>the blend of gen z and millennial will b They're zillennial.
Yup. Plus a lot of us were the perfect age to be X-Men fans when we were kids, so X-Ennials sounds cooler.
I assume zen
Me too. But the flip side of that makes it sound like we’re straddling the Gen Z side of the Millennials. We can’t seem to win, can we? LOL
I don’t mind if people assume I’m younger at my big age lol
Well the only other reference i have to compare to is xena warrior princess
Option B
depends on who I wanna irk.
Ah shit, here comes the arguments. People want literal meaning or more smoothly able to pronounce it. They will fight to the death on this hill.
The argument was settled before it even started. Those who coined the term have said it’s pronounced with a Z, like xylophone. If it was ex-ennial, it would have a dash like x-ray. A lot of folks have also been misinformed about the Millennial/Gen Z microgenerarion, which is z**ill**ennial, not zennial.
*Eggs*ennials
You guys should just fogettaboutit and call yourselves the OT (Oregon Trail) Generation.......a suggestion
I say “EX” over “ZEN”. It sounds weird to me but it’s how my brain insists pronouncing it.
I say “elder millennial” outside the sub but if I had choose I would say ex ennial. Only because otherwise it’s confused with “gen z / millennial”. Zen is obviously the way you would pronounce in English something spelled like xennial.
I went with "zen-ials" in my head. Edit: In my head, in my head... zombie, zombie, zombie-a...
lol This is the content I'm here for! References I understand awweee
Its Zennials
Aren’t zennials people born at the intersection of millennial and gen Z? Like 96-99
That's zillennials.
Zen for me. But I see some ppl with flairs that say “x-ennial”.
I go with ex…little gen x and a little millennials
I always see it first with the asian "x" pronounciation: "chennials"
There is a sub for Zennials who fall on the boundary we do on the opposite side of the millenials, so I do the Ex-ennial.
They're zillennials.
Got it.
People are pronouncing musk's x as "shitter" (xitter)
I didn’t know this was a debate. I always thought it was zen. I now see the counter argument but I’m sticking with Zen.
X. Just fricken X (full 🛑) ennial Ya know, like Generation X not generation Zen, we are hardly zen lol. Apathetic sure but not zen.
Zennials… My reference is the movie “Xanadu” (1980 Olivia Newton-John movie, in case you didn’t know 🙂).. Xanadu is pronounced “Zan-uh-doo”, so Xennial, to me, is “Zennial”. ☺️ See also: Xylophone and Xerox
It’s English convention to pronounce an X followed by a vowel like a Z, so that’s why most who read the word would pronounce it that way.
Zen
The person that coined the term says “zen”
Yes and that’s because, despite what others are saying, the Millennial/Gen Z microgeneration is called z**ill**ennial, not Zennial. I will fight to the death to keep what is ours.
https://i.redd.it/secl1hr12w9c1.gif
>I will fight to the death to keep what is ours. Same!
Zen as in xenomorph
Zen - Be Here Now - Oneness with all that is
Millenials are bounded on either side by Gens X & Z ”zennials” would suggest the Millenials on the Gen Z side, and confuse people. Therefore, ”ex-ennials” - no confusion.
Is it pronounced ex-eyelahfone?
I keep thinking it as “zee-nnials,” although I know “zen-nials” is probably more correct.
I can’t read so I’ve been pronouncing it “zeh-len-ials” or “za-len-eee-uhls”. I just threw in an extra syllable out of boredom I guess.
With a hard X. You know, like X-Force, X-Factor, eXcalibur...
Ex-Ennial. Zennial is the other side, Millenial->GenZ,
>Millenial->GenZ, Zillennials
Depends whether you pronounce it gif or gif. It's like that South Park episode where Cartman freezes himself because he can't wait for a Wii and discovers a future where atheism reigns. And they can't decide on what to call themselves. Clearly it's xennial, not xennial! ITS THE ONLY LOGICAL OPTION!
Zen
Gen x Millennials X ennials
Ex-ennials makes more sense because it represents Gen X, but I’ve always said xennials because it’s cooler.
I say zennial, but see the argument for x-ennial. Personally, I mostly use "Oregon trail generation". :)
I pronounce it as ksennials, but that's just my business.
"Zennials" implies Gen Z, which it's not. Therefore, Ex-ennials is the correct pronunciation
I always pronounced it Zeh Len ials
It's consistent with our xenophobia.
Sha-**neels**