A/an before a word is dependant on how the subsequent word is pronounced, not spelled. So for that sentence, the implication is that it’s pronounced closer to “erb”, thus “an” to precede instead of “a”. Another example that’s a bit counterintuitive is “one” being pronounced like “won”, so you’d get “a one time thing” rather than “an one time thing”.
I wonder whether it doesn’t have any inherent meaning. I mean, we all get the sense that it’s an insult.
I say this because one of my favourite insult formats is "you [multisyllabic adjective] [random noun]. Stuff like “You incorrigible spade” or “You abominable turnip”. They’re next to meaningless, but my intention is clear
A/an before a word is dependant on how the subsequent word is pronounced, not spelled. So for that sentence, the implication is that it’s pronounced closer to “erb”, thus “an” to precede instead of “a”. Another example that’s a bit counterintuitive is “one” being pronounced like “won”, so you’d get “a one time thing” rather than “an one time thing”.
I’m aware of when to use “a” versus “an”, but I wasn’t aware that Americans don’t pronounce the “h”! It makes a lot more sense now, thanks!
…well, a little bit more sense, anyway - I’m still not sure what calling someone “a herb” actually means…
I wonder whether it doesn’t have any inherent meaning. I mean, we all get the sense that it’s an insult.
I say this because one of my favourite insult formats is "you [multisyllabic adjective] [random noun]. Stuff like “You incorrigible spade” or “You abominable turnip”. They’re next to meaningless, but my intention is clear
Yeah, I’m with you there, not sure what they mean by that