orfen

English

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ɔːfən/
• Homophone: orphan
• Rhymes: -ɔː(ɹ)fən

Adverb

orfen (comparative more orfen, superlative most orfen)

1. (UK, dated) Pronunciation spelling of often, representing British English.
   • 1876, LADY BARKER, EDITOR, evening hours

     Sometimes they sets theirselves alight, but not orfen, for it aint much o' a fire aunt leaves in.

   • 1887, The English illustrated magazine [ed. by J. W. C. Carr].:

     Jack's uncommon fond o' theayters, and singing and acting and such like, and as he can't very orfen get the money to pay for 'arf-price in the gallery he follers about all the people as performs in the streets, sometimes for hours an' hours together.

   • 1903, The Royal Magazine:

     He's rarther an ass, but not a bad chap reely, he gives us tips sumtimes but not orfen enuff.

Usage notes

/ɔːfən/ was formerly a common pronunciation of often in many British dialects – the homophony with orphan is exploited as a pun in The Pirates of Penzance, for example. This pronunciation is now largely obsolete and remains only in occasional use by older Received Pronunciation speakers.

Anagrams

• Freon, forne, freon

Lombard

Alternative forms

• òrfen (Classical Milanese Orthography)

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈɔrfẽː/ (Milanese)

Noun

orfen m (feminine orfena)

1. orphan