Fun fact (possibly irrelevant, probably even true) an early example of that pattern is the river Thames that flows through London. It used to be pronounced like

Fun fact (possibly irrelevant, probably even true) an early example of that pattern is the river Thames that flows through London. It used to be pronounced like it's written, starting with a "Th". Then King George I took the throne in 1714. He was German, but from then onwards, the way that he said it (i.e. "Tems") was the right way. And still is. http://www.lbc.co.uk/why-is-the-river-thames-so-called-7258 http://www.lbc.co.uk/why-is-the-river-thames-so-called-7258 It says something about power that people still want to be treated like kings - whatever they do is automatically the right way for the courtiers and sycophants to copy. And it says something about Steve Jobs that he would play on that on purpose.