In the city of my youth, I recall a major cross street named Loughborough, a long name containing two identical “ough” syllables. Local residents pronounced the two syllables differently, as “Luff’ and “Oh”, to obtain the desired pronunciation: “luff’ – bohr – oh.”

For good balance, one would have expected consistent pronouncement of the “ough” sound, as either: “Luff’ – bohr – uff” or “Loh’ – bohr – oh.” Either one would have made the name more memorable, but it does not stop there. Many “ough” sounds vary as:

(1) “auff” as in rough, rhymes with puff
(2) “okh” as on the Scottish loch, sometimes spelled lough
(3) “ow” as in plough, bough, rhymes with cow
(4) “oo” as in through, or slough, rhymes with too
(5) “oh” as in dough, though, rhymes with go
(6) “uhp” as in hiccough, rhymes with cup
(7) “uhff” as in cough, rhymes with off
(8) “aw” as in thought, rhymes with caught
(9) “a” as the a in above, called a schwa.

With nine different sounds, Loughborough could have been pronounced in a myriad of ways, depending on the sound combinations of the selected “ough” syllable. Surely, when one street name encompasses so many potential different pronunciations, a better alternative must exist. Can you imagine a tourist giving instructions to a cab driver, who knows the location of “Luff’ – bohr – oh,” but has no idea where “Loo – bohr – oo” or “luhp’ – bohr – okh” may be? — perhaps invoking a tearful, Bough Hough (Boo Hoo!)

The “ough” sound comes from Middle English. Old Anglo-Saxon words, like “loch” pronounced the “h” as a hard h, but when the Normans arrived, they softened the sound with a “gh”, which remained, but continued with a strained pronunciation. Etymologists identify the “gh” combination as a digraph or consonant blend. In the beginning of a word, “gh” compels an “g” sound, in the middle may be silent, and at the end assumes a “f” sound. (english.stackexchange.com) Ghosh!

Enough on ‘ough!” Etymologists ought to: give thought to, get tough on, and move the slough of “ough” sounds, through thorough studies to achieve better consonance.

No matter how one celebrates birthdays, some “special” birthdays loom difficult, particularly those that end in a zero or a five.

Universally, age ten brings elation. For the first time, the birthday child moves into “double digits,” ending their childhood decade and advancing into adolescence, with its perception of increased freedom and friends.

Contrariwise, age twenty becomes more sobering, as the teen years ebb and the adulthood milestone appears. Adulthood introduces responsibility for one’s actions and future. The third decade of life expects attainment of maturity and a life plan. The sobriety fades quickly with the promise of happy times ahead, yielding a temporary reprieve from serious thought about life’s direction.

Age thirty presents a pivot point, necessitating a serious life direction and often introducing the “Quarter-life crisis,” a feeling of despair, being locked in an implacable position, sensing an urge to build a new life while recognizing that change is impossible. Life becomes more serious, exerting pressure to settle down, to establish deeper relationships, to build a long-term career. The slogan of the tumultuous 1960’s reminds: “Never trust anyone over thirty” — a dark reminder of moving into a different, more serious space.

Age forty, “the old age of youth” (Victor Hugo, 1802-1865), is unwelcome, as friends hold their nose and mispronounce it with an “ah” vowel sound. The infamous “Midlife Crisis” may arise, particularly if a life review reflects unfavorably and prompts a drastic change to improve the future. On the other hand, if a look back results favorably, life continues on a pleasant path.

Age fifty becomes “the youth of old age.” (Victor Hugo); and by age fifty-five, the birthday recipient reaches the “speed limit” of life, a time when some people contemplate slowing down to enjoy themselves more.

Age sixty introduces a decade of potential health decline, usually resulting in some reduction in aerobic fitness, physical activity and cognitive skills. But if one emerges through their seventh decade in relatively good health, birthdays no longer matter as much anymore.

By age seventy, maintaining good health and sound mind becomes most important. If one is fortunate to reach age eighty and beyond, one can almost get away with anything, because most people regard octogenarians as irresponsible as teenagers.

Through all the birthdays, one should recall the adage: ‘You are as young as you feel.” So, as they say in Brooklyn: “Fah get about it!”