"Saxophonist"

       As a kind of addendum on yesterday's "microscopist" entry, I have to say that the Brit's attempt especially to get us to say [sack-SAHPH-n-IST] for this word is a very similar case in point.  You've entirely lost the word "saxophone."

       At least Merriam-Webster tells us as Americans that the pronunciation for this word is [SACK-suh-PHONE-ist].  Brava! Bravo! from me for that one.  And if we can come off our high horses (never the British, of course) for this one, why not for the other and make the word [MY-kruh-SKOHP-ist]!!!

       We tend to want to emulate the "high-class" Brits for whom at times, the more esoteric the word sounds, the more right it must be.  (A little jazz saxophone ought to loosen 'em up.)