Why do militarians call Nine as "Niner" ?

Question

As military people or airline staff use Alpha, Bravo, Charlie type words. For example AC845 they would call it as Alpha Charlie Eight Four Five.

But if there is something DB925 they will call it Delta Bravo Niner Two Five.

Why they say Niner not nine?

Answer 1

Because "nine" can sound a lot like "five" over a transmission.  This is why they use the phonetic alphabet for letters - so that the receiver does not misunderstand the message.

Answer 2

The whole idea of it is to clarify what you are saying when  heavy radio interference gets in the way. They must have changed nine to 'niner', so it couldn't be mistaken for 'line' 'sign' 'five' and other similar words.

Answer 3

It's easier to hear over radio.

"Three" is also "tree" if you listen close (although not everyone follows that convention).  "Zero" is pronounced "Zee-row".

Look up the military alphabet for more.

Answer 4

Brilliant Question!

I've always wanted to know also - guess I should have asked!

;-)

Zero one Niner, Foxtrot etc - all those codes are fascinating

I think the Charlie, Foxtrot etc are so the person on the other end receiving the other message can clearly identify the first letter (C)harlie or (F)oxtrot, but as for the Niner etc, I'd be interested to read other's replies

All The Best

:-)

Answer 5

Nine sounds like five, which incidentally is supposed to be pronounced as "fife."

Answer 6

Because it identifies and clarifies the number 9 (nine) being said over radio traffic. The word nine could be mistakenly heard as many things but the word niner is more universally understood right off as the number nine thus keeping any timely miss-communication mistakes to a minimum.

Answer 7

So the sound of the word "Nine" is not confused with similar-sounding words.

Answer 8

It's not just military people, but civilian and commercial pilots.  They say "niner"  to avoid confusion with the German word, "nein."  That means "no" in English.  "Neiner" means the number nine, as opposed to "no."

Answer 9

They say niner instead of nine because when giving a message they wouldnt get the word nine confused with other words that sound like it so the said niner.

Answer 10

nine and five sound alike  

Answer 11

because over distance or noise words can sound alike and all you hear are vowels, and they need to discern that it's nine, not five

Answer 12

An art?

Answer 13

HAHA your question reminds me of the movie Tommy Boy..."did I hear a niner in there?"