I don’t agree with UrbanDictionary at all but I thought that it was funny that so many people actually take it so seriously. It’s just a word. I did think yesterday that I’ve never heard anyone say that diabeteez was wrong but so many say that diabetus is the wrong way to say it. I’m sticking with my thoughts that it’s pronounced diabeteez because there is not a “U” in the word.
What about diabetis? Is that wrong too? LOL
Hi Jared. "Diabetis – that’s the way I say it. I hope it’s not too terribly wrong, because after 18 years I’m not likely to change how I say it.
LOL – I did too - it’s now bookmarked
GOSH!! I hate this! HA HA HA I make fun of my mom she says, “DIA-BE-TUS” AAHH
I am just glad that we have gotten past tasting urine for medical diagnosis! LOL
Actually, I got technical and looked it up. Both ways are correct according to Webster: ˌdī-ə-ˈbē-tēz, -ˈbē-təs
They are both “correct” and the tees drive me crazy too. But the WORST is referring to glucose levels as “your sugar.” I simply hate that one!
Chrissy, it is usually pronounced Diabetus M(something) on official medical reports. I guess the diabetes it just the shorten term for it. I have had a few Doc though out the 30 years that have stated it both ways!
Diabeetus
Diabetes Mellitus. The word Mellitus refers to honey, which is because of the sweet taste of patients’ urine. And to differentiate it from Diabetes Insipidus, in which the patient ALSO pees a lot, but is caused by a hormonal disorder, and so the urine is not sweet.
And I’m going to say it again – both ways are correct, and no one should be ridiculed for the way they say it!
“And I’m going to say it again – both ways are correct, and no one should be ridiculed for the way they say it!”
Even Wilford? Please tell me it ain’t so!
This may seem silly but I have been a Type I Diabetic for 44 yrs. When I was diagnosed Diabetes was always pronounced Di-a-be-tus. Now everyone says Di-a-be-tees. It drives me crazy!!
I have been a Type 2 Diabetic for 9 yrs. When I was diagnosed Diabetes was always pronounced Di-a-be-teez in Australia.
And still is.
But most of the forums and groups I joined were American where almost everyone called it Di-a-bee-tus like Wilford Brimley.
I decided to go with the flow, just like learning about the other little differences like mg/dL and mmol/L, fahrenheit and celsius, pumpkin and winter squash, grilling and broiling, different labels for medical professionals, different health-care systems, the list goes on.
Because it didn't matter what I called it, I still had a stuffed blood glucose control system in my body that I needed to manage personally because my body had decided it didn't feel like doing that any more.
PS Reading back through the thread I see I'm repeating Wilford - but I'll leave it in because I enjoy watching it again :)
Cheers, Alan, T2, Australia
Everything in Moderation - Except laughter
You all pronounce it my way while I’m reading your posts!
ONLY if you agree to pronounce it my way when you are not reading my posts!
Right, I pronounce it my way!
Fun is the right way to do it. And my meter is STILL named Cleetus with Diabeetus, whether Kelly says it or AR says it. 
Acid I knew you wouldn’t miss a chance to re- pull this video. It has always been hilarious to me!!! I heard both pronunciations from medical personnel when I was diagnosed in 1968… We always said “dia-bee-tees” in my home and that is how I pronounce it to this day… I was raised in southwest GA.
God Bless
Brunetta
Or, we could say diabetus, emphasis on us, is the plural, as in Wilford talking about all us diabetics in the commercial?
Yeah, Jared, but colonel is not spelled “kernel”, either. In English, spelling is really NOT a good way to predict the pronunciation of a word, which is why dictionaries offer guidance.
But it’s Greek! Aristophanes!! Pleiades!! You name them, they are all deez!! Perhaps it could be marketed as a Jersey Shore thing? “Yo Snooki, who’s 'tes are deez?”