An Unicycle

Off-topic
1

Why is it “A Unicycle”

and not;

“An Unicycle”

Unicycling is an enigma… even to the english language.

2

Here’s a reference that even uses the case of a unicycle as an example. Scroll done to the indefinite a/an article.

Remember, using a or an depends on the sound that begins the next word. So…

* a + singular noun beginning with a consonant: a boy; a car; a bike; a zoo; a dog
* an + singular noun beginning with a vowel: an elephant; an egg; an apple; an idiot; an orphan
* a + singular noun beginning with a consonant sound: a user (sounds like 'yoo-zer,' i.e. begins with a consonant 'y' sound, so 'a' is used); a university; [B]a unicycle[/B]
3

I like to think it’s because the “u” operates like a consonant at the beginning of the word. Then again, I’m the kind of guy that doesn’t like to put “an” in front of “history”, either (for the same reason).

EDIT: Mr. Harper’s link agrees.

4

I have trouble with “an historical event” for example, too. This is from the originally silent “h” sound in the English language. I think it’s falling out of favor.

5

This should have been posted in rec.language.unicycling.

6

If your trying to find out how to say it, its “A unicycle”
“An” is used for things like “an option, an egg, an operation” and so on.

7

yes, an goes before words that start with a vowel sound, not necessarily a vowel letter.

Useless fact:

an apron and a newt usd to be a napron and an ewt