aren'chu

English

Etymology

The [ɑːnˈtjuː] of aren't you is pronounced [ɑːnˈtʃuː] by some speakers; the (always prevocalic) combination [tj] often becomes [tʃ].

Pronunciation

• (RP) enPR: ärncho͞oʹ, IPA: /ɑːnˈtʃuː/, X-SAMPA: /a:n"tSu:/

Contraction

aren’chu

1. Eye dialect spelling of aren’t you.
   • 1956: John G. Burnett, Company Man, page 132 (Harper)

     “You’re reg’lar gen’man ‛bout it, aren’chu?”

   • 1994: Abraham Rodriguez, Spidertown, page 259 (Penguin Books)

     “Aren’chu gonna kiss me good night?”