Is it Noahide or Noachide?                                  

Noah, as the name is commonly known in English, is "No'ach" in Hebrew, the language of Genesis and the whole of the Written Torah. The "ach" is pronounced like the Scottish "loch" or the German "Ach!"

Hebrew has no sound like the explosive "ch" in "chop" or "chuck" or "church." When you say a word transliterated from Hebrew, like Chanukah (the freedom festival of Hanuka, around the time of the winter solstice), Chumash (the Five Books of Moses), or Rosh Chodesh (the first day of every month in the Hebrew or Biblical calendar), remember that the "ch" is pronounced like a gargled "h", like the "ach" in No'ach.

The two different forms, "Noahide" and "Noachide," are both based on the Hebrew "Noach." Since Noah and Noahide are the way that these terms are pronounced in English, we generally use these forms. Both "Noahide" and "Noachide" refer to the same idea: children, descendants or followers of Noah (or No'ach).

Some people will disagree with the following proposition. Anyone who does disagree is welcome to write in. But this comes after years of hearing Noahides struggle with a pronunciation, the "ach," that's foreign to them. It's a vocalization which is best learned during childhood. Noahides are well-advised, when they can't handle that "ach" sound well, to ignore the "c" and just pronounce the "h". So, at least in speaking, make it: Noahide, Hanuka, Humash, Rosh Hodesh. The Jews will know what you're talking about. Don't worry about it.

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