It’s become a ‘First World problem’ debate – is it PRYmark or PREEmark? It may seem obvious to you, but many people are still divided on how to pronounce the well-known retailer.
The global-based store is popular with shoppers, with queues seen outside on a regular basis. However, one thing that its customers can’t agree on is its pronunciation, even after Primark confirmed the correct way to say its name.
In our recent Facebook post, hundreds of readers commented their thoughts on the age-old debate. Many people could not get over the fact that people still proceed to call it PREEmark.
Read more: Struggling mum makes £50,000 on Only Fans selling used Primark tights
Michelle Roberts said: “Kids don’t attend PREEmary school do they, it’s PRImary.” This was agreed by Pete Bonney who said: “By the same token, I’m assuming the PREE-mark people are also saying PREE-mary school?”
Amie Jones added: “How do these people pronounce the words primary, prime, primarily and primer?”
However, Jon Canton disagreed with this argument. He said: “English is not a phonetic language; therefore, the whole ‘primary school’ argument is redundant. How do you pronounce ‘prima donna’?”
Many commenters highlighted that due to their Welsh roots, they will continue to call it PREEmark.
Rachel Lewis said: “It’s a PREE from me.” Jacqui Davies added: “Definitely PREEmark.”
Shelly Jones said: “I'm from Wales, they say PREEmark. Then I moved to England and got corrected, so now I say it [the] correct [way].”
Since the debate on Facebook began, people have also added their own take on the infamous word.
Leanne Evans said: “The English language is full of alternate pronunciations; I've always called it PRYmark.”
Osvobození Pravdy said: “We say PRYmark, never knew it's PREmark”
Racher Sarah added: “I’m a PRYmark girl.”
Martin Bryant was adamant that he was right. He said: “PRYmark is the correct pronunciation.”
Huw David added: Primark is short for “price marked down” therefore it surely cannot be pronounced anything other than PRYmark!”
While Jonathan Scrivenayter added a new one to the mix. He said: “You're all wrong, it's pronounced Prim-Ark.”
Others have decided to rename the retailer completely and call it ‘Primarni.’
Niger Adames said: "It’s none of those! It’s Primarni.”
Which was agreed by Victoria Hocking, who said: “Literally have never heard of it called PREEmark. We all call in Primani here.”
But, in the words of David Edwards and Alison Davies, “who cares?”
Well, if you do, despite all the variations, Primark announced in 2021 that the correct way to pronounce the company is Pr-Eye-Mark.
Still don’t believe us? Primark has created a section on the website for shoppers to see the correct way to pronounce its name.
