Only answer if you are a native Atlantan over 50

[Beach Runner]

Daughter and I are having an ongoing argument over the proper pronunciation of the word "Hemphill," as in Hemphill Avenue near Georgia Tech.

Daughter is an alumna of Georgia Tech, into which Hemphill Avenue flows. She pronounces it "Hemp-hill." The Atlanta natives I know remember the street pronounced back then as "Hem-fill," as where The Pickrick restaurant was located. Yummy food, BTW. All of us on my Daddy's side of the family were born at Crawford W. Long Hospital, so I think that classifies me as a native Atlantan, being born and reared in the ATL.

Every time we drive down that street (which is frequently because we like to drive from daugher's residence in Midtown, down 10th to Hem-fill, left on 14th, right on Howell Mill, and left into Figo, Taqueria Del Sol, and the occasional Bacchanalia), we have this argument.

So which is it? "Hemp-hill" or "Hem-fill"? Remember, I have lots of family members protecting my back. Any Atlanta historians out there?

 

[futurebeachbum]

It really comes down to how Atlanta's Mayor Hemphill pronounced it.

If you poke around a bit in google, it appears that there are 3 different ways to pronounce it (hemp-hill, hem -fil and hem-ful).

I'd say the odds are that you are correct. Hem-fil is such a non-intuitive pronunciation, that people would probably have only used it if that was how he himself said it.

To add to the argument that hem-fil it is non-intuitive, it strays far from the roots of the name.

 

[Lynnie]

I am not over 50 and I am not native Atlantan; however, was in the City since I was a baby. I woud go with Heum-ful. Strong accent over both syllables, but the /ful/ drawls out just a tad. I love the South!!

 

[Mango]

I would just be calling it Reefafill, so the f would be appropriate.

 

[Beach Runner]

It really comes down to how Atlanta's Mayor Hemphill pronounced it.

If you poke around a bit in google, it appears that there are 3 different ways to pronounce it (hemp-hill, hem -fil and hem-ful).

I'd say the odds are that you are correct. Hem-fil is such a non-intuitive pronunciation, that people would probably have only used it if that was how he himself said it.

To add to the argument that hem-fil it is non-intuitive, it strays far from the roots of the name.

I didn't know it was named after a mayor! Thanks for the info!

I would just be calling it Reefafill, so the f would be appropriate.

I am not over 50 and I am not native Atlantan; however, was in the City since I was a baby. I woud go with Heum-ful. Strong accent over both syllables, but the /ful/ drawls out just a tad. I love the South!!

Me, too!

BTW curious if any GT grads on the board who are not over 50 or not native Atlantans have any knowledge of the correct pronunciation.

 

[Bob]

hemfill and your drawl may vary

 

[Will B]

I've been in ATL my whole life (almost 50 years), and everybody, here, says "hemp-hill"...

 

[hnooe]

I've been in ATL my whole life (almost 50 years), and everybody, here, says "hemp-hill"...

Ditto, but 30 years.

 

[ameliaj]

These days all I hear is Hemp Hill. But my parents and grandparents all said Hemp-fill. Sort of a combo.

 

[Beach Runner]

These days all I hear is Hemp Hill. But my parents and grandparents all said Hemp-fill. Sort of a combo.

You're right. I think it is a generational thing.