The ability to speak español (Spanish)does not necessarily equal the ability to read and write Spanish. Habanero,derived from Habana, does not have a "v" (that's the English version, just as the correct Portuguese spelling for Brasil has no "z", and neither does Belice (another English version with a "z". There is no Ñ in habanero. Read a SPANISH dictonary for the correct spelling and pronunciation of a Spanish word. ¿Since when is Webster's dictionary considered an authority on the Spanish language? The Lash <info@thelash.com> wrote: At 01:04 AM 1/11/2003 -0500, you wrote: You all are so cute when you finally get the chance to be right about something. BUT, I do speak Spanish, and habaNYero IS an acceptable form. I know you won't believe me, so read what Webster's dictionary has to say: Main Entry: ha·ba·ne·ro Pronunciation: "(h)ä-b&-'n(y)er-O Variant(s): also ha·ba·ñe·ro Function: noun Etymology: American Spanish (chile) habanero, literally, Havanan chili Date: 1988 : a very hot roundish chili pepper (Capsicum chinense) that is usually orange when mature Of course, you all know the facts better than Webster's, don't ya? Let me analogize this: Celtic is pronounced Keltic- always has been , since the ancient Greeks coined the word Keltoi to describe the warring Germanic tribes. Sell-tic is incorrect. However, many people use the Sell-tic pronunciation. Why? They don't know any better, or, that's the way people around them pronounce the word. Do we know that when they use the word Sell-tic, they really mean Keltic? Yes- however if they use that pronunciation, we'll laugh them out of the bar & stomp on their Riverdance shirt. Say habanero, or habanyero, whichever floats your boat. Just DON'T pronounce the H- Rob K http://www.thelash.com Celtic Mayhem From America