Is That a Banana in Your Pocket, or a BUH-nan-uh?

"Banana" is pronounced "buh-NAN-uh."

It's a strict rule.

I know that because I tried to break it at the cafe near my house this morning.

I asked for a "BUH-nan-uh."

"A what?" asked the cafe employee.

"A BUH-nan-uh," I repeated.

"A buh-NAN-uh?" she asked, a little impatient.

"A BUH-nan-uh," I repeated.

"One of these?" she asked, pointing to a banana and looking at me as though I were a toddler.

I nodded.

She shook her head.

"You know, in my six years here, I've never heard anybody pronounce it...