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Why is insatiable pronounced as if it was unsatiable?

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11  
I don't find that at all. Where have you heard it spoken that way? – Mitch May 7 '11 at 23:18
1  
Checking several dictionaries, they all list the first syllable as ɪn, so in short, it's not. (or at least it's sufficiently nonstandard not to appear. Like Mitch, I've never heard it) – Dusty May 7 '11 at 23:32

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2 Answers

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The correct pronunciation of insatiable is /inˈsāSHəbəl/, which is what I hear on a day to day basis. You probably heard a slang or someone who just pronounced it wrongly.

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In IPA: /ɪnˈseɪʃəbəl/. – Charles May 8 '11 at 2:06
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Although my Oxford English Dictionary does not include unsatiable in its list of definitions, some dictionaries do, such as Dictionary.com. I think the solution to your conundrum may be as simple as some people using the word unsatiable instead of insatiable even though the latter is far more common.

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The online version of the Oxford English Dictionary has an entry for unsatiable supported by several citations, but describes the word as ‘rare’. The online OED is available only on subscription at oed.com. – Barrie England Nov 7 '12 at 10:33
@BarrieEngland Interesting that you used on subscription instead of by subscription. I take it those mean the same thing? – tchrist Nov 7 '12 at 13:40
@tchrist. I'd never really thought about it, but, yes, I suppose they are alternatives. Perhaps on is short for 'on payment of a'. – Barrie England Nov 7 '12 at 13:45

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