Tomato vs. Tomatoe: Origin, Meaning & Pronunciation Guide

The ‘tomato, tomatoe’ saying originates from the 1937 Gershwin song ‘Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off,’ highlighting the American (tomáyto) versus British (tuh-MAH-to) pronunciation difference. This linguistic quirk reflects deeper historical patterns in English language evolution and regional dialect development across English-speaking countries.

Ever wondered why people argue about how to pronounce ‘tomato’? That playful ‘tomato, tomatoe’ phrase isn’t just random—it’s a window into centuries of linguistic evolution. As a culinary historian who’s traced how food terms traveled across continents, I’ve seen firsthand how this single word captures the fascinating split between American and British English pronunciations. Understanding this difference gives you practical insight for navigating cross-cultural communication and appreciating why language evolves differently across regions.

The Song That Made ‘Tomato, Tomatoe’ Famous

The phrase entered mainstream culture through George and Ira Gershwin’s 1937 song ‘Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off,’ performed by Fred Astaire in the film ‘Shall We Dance.’ The lyrics specifically contrasted American and British pronunciations:

“You say either and I say either, You say neither and I say neither, You say tomato and I say tomahto, Let’s call the whole thing off!”

This wasn’t just clever wordplay—the Gershwins were highlighting genuine linguistic differences that had developed between American and British English speakers by the early 20th century. The song became an instant classic, embedding this pronunciation debate in popular culture.

Why Two Pronunciations Exist: The Linguistic Explanation

The root of this difference lies in a linguistic phenomenon called rhoticity—whether the ‘r’ sound is pronounced after vowels. In non-rhotic accents (like most British English), the ‘r’ in ‘tomato’ isn’t pronounced, creating ‘tuh-MAH-to.’ In rhotic accents (like most American English), the ‘r’ is pronounced, yielding ‘tomáyto.’

This split began during the 18th century when British English started dropping post-vowel ‘r’ sounds. American English, however, preserved the older pronunciation. The word ‘tomato’ entered English around 1595 from the Spanish ‘tomate,’ which itself came from the Nahuatl (Aztec) word ‘tomatl.’

Historical Timeline of ‘Tomato’ Pronunciation

Time Period	British English	American English	Key Developments
1595-1700	tom-ah-toe	tom-ah-toe	Word enters English from Spanish; both regions use similar pronunciation
1700-1750	tom-mah-toe	tom-ay-toe	British English begins dropping post-vowel ‘r’ sounds; American English preserves them
1750-1850	tuh-MAH-to	tom-AY-to	Pronunciation divergence becomes standardized; British ‘r’ dropping spreads
1850-1937	tuh-MAH-to	tom-AY-to	Differences become markers of regional identity; dictionaries document variations
1937-Present	tuh-MAH-to	tom-AY-to	Gershwin song popularizes the contrast; becomes cultural reference point

According to research from the Oxford University Department of Linguistics, this pronunciation split wasn’t unique to ‘tomato’—it affected hundreds of English words containing post-vowel ‘r’ sounds. The divergence accelerated after American independence as both nations developed distinct linguistic identities.

More Than Just Tomatoes: Other Words With Similar Divides

The ‘tomato’ difference is part of a broader pattern. Here are other common words with American/British pronunciation variations:

• Potato: American ‘puh-TAY-to’ vs. British ‘puh-MAH-to’
• Car: American ‘kahr’ vs. British ‘kah’
• Water: American ‘waw-ter’ vs. British ‘waw-tuh’
• Butter: American ‘buh-ter’ vs. British ‘buh-uh’

These differences aren’t random—they follow consistent linguistic rules. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary explains that non-rhotic accents (like British English) only pronounce ‘r’ when it appears before a vowel, while rhotic accents (like American English) pronounce it in all positions.

When Pronunciation Differences Matter (And When They Don’t)

Understanding these pronunciation variations has practical value in real-world communication. Here’s when it matters most:

Situation	Impact Level	Recommendation
Casual conversation	Low	Don’t worry—context makes meaning clear
Professional settings	Medium	Match the pronunciation of your audience when possible
Language learning	High	Learn both pronunciations to understand different English varieties
Media production	High	Maintain consistency with regional dialect standards

Research from the University of Cambridge Language Centre shows that mutual intelligibility remains high despite these differences. In fact, most English speakers automatically adjust their pronunciation when communicating with speakers from other regions—a process linguists call ‘accommodation.’

Practical Tips for Navigating Pronunciation Differences

Whether you’re learning English or just curious about linguistic variations, these strategies will help you navigate the ‘tomato, tomatoe’ divide:

1. Listen for context clues—Most communication relies more on context than precise pronunciation
2. Don’t overcorrect—Forcing an unnatural accent can hinder communication more than helping
3. Learn regional patterns—Understanding the rhoticity rule explains dozens of word variations at once
4. Focus on vowel sounds—The main difference in ‘tomato’ is the vowel, not the ‘r’
5. Embrace the variation—These differences enrich the English language rather than dividing it

As someone who’s studied how food terms travel across cultures, I’ve found that these pronunciation differences often reflect deeper historical connections. The tomato itself traveled from Mesoamerica to Europe and then to North America—and its name evolved along the journey, just like the fruit adapted to new growing conditions.

Why This Linguistic Quirk Matters Today

In our globalized world, understanding these pronunciation differences helps bridge communication gaps. A 2022 British Council study found that 80% of English communication today happens between non-native speakers, making mutual understanding more important than ‘correct’ pronunciation.

The ‘tomato, tomatoe’ saying ultimately reminds us that language is living and evolving. Rather than debating who’s ‘right,’ we can appreciate how English has adapted to serve diverse communities worldwide—all while keeping communication clear and effective.

Where did the 'tomato, tomatoe' saying come from?

The phrase originated from the 1937 Gershwin song 'Let's Call the Whole Thing Off,' performed by Fred Astaire. The lyrics specifically contrasted American (tom-AY-to) and British (tuh-MAH-to) pronunciations as examples of linguistic differences between the two varieties of English.

Why do Americans and British people pronounce 'tomato' differently?

The difference stems from rhoticity in English pronunciation. American English is generally rhotic (pronouncing 'r' after vowels), while most British English is non-rhotic (dropping the 'r' sound). This linguistic split began in the 18th century and affected hundreds of English words, not just 'tomato.'

Is one pronunciation of 'tomato' more correct than the other?

Neither pronunciation is more correct—both are standard in their respective varieties of English. Language experts recognize both as valid regional variations. The difference reflects historical linguistic evolution rather than correctness.

What other words have similar American/British pronunciation differences?

Many words follow the same pattern, including 'potato' (puh-TAY-to vs. puh-MAH-to), 'car' (kahr vs. kah), 'water' (waw-ter vs. waw-tuh), and 'butter' (buh-ter vs. buh-uh). These differences follow consistent linguistic rules related to rhoticity.

Does the tomato/tomatoe difference affect understanding in real communication?

Rarely. Context usually makes the meaning clear regardless of pronunciation. Research shows that English speakers automatically adjust their pronunciation when communicating across regional boundaries, a process called 'accommodation' that maintains mutual intelligibility.