(and why the fuck Mike and Nike aren’t pronounced similarly?)
Well “Mike” is a typical appreciation of the name Micheal of Hebrew origin that long predates the English language. “Nike” is Ancient Greek, which also predates the English Language. Nike is the name of the Greek god of victory. So neither one of those is English.
The single syllable “Nike” pronunciation was introducing in the late 1980s or early 1990s with the advertising campaign for “Nike Air” shoes. Sometimes pop culture name shortening sticks. Another example of this would be the brand Porsche has two syllables, but has been shortened by most to a single syllable name.
Well “Mike” is a typical appreciation of the name Micheal of Hebrew origin that long predates the English language. “Nike” is Ancient Greek, which also predates the English Language. Nike is the name of the Greek god of victory. So neither one of those is English.
It’s like how you pronounce Hercules and molecules the same way
An Ancient Roman proper name derived from an Ancient Greek proper name Heracles, which is likely where we get our clues for modern pronunciation.
Thats a French word they built from a Latin base. Take it up with them on that one.
But why is pronounced “Nai-ki” and not “Ni-ke”? We here don’t give a fuck a say “Nike” like Mike.
The single syllable “Nike” pronunciation was introducing in the late 1980s or early 1990s with the advertising campaign for “Nike Air” shoes. Sometimes pop culture name shortening sticks. Another example of this would be the brand Porsche has two syllables, but has been shortened by most to a single syllable name.