Grammar queens this is for you:

AN... I know I’ll get crucified for this

You shouldn't watch any NBC show.

R2 I felt that one coming....

But I'm still interesting in an answer.

An NBC show.

You go by the sound of the first letter in the acronym. If it’s a vowel sound, use “an.”

Depends on the letter. A CBS show versus an HBO show.

You would use "an."

But yet, R6 is correct. Depends.

One writing guide on the topic.

Here's a better guide.

[quote] But yet, [R6] is correct. Depends.

R5 is who was correct here. That response covers all the bases. You go by the sound of the first letter of the abbreviation. (I would argue that the examples of TV networks are not acronyms, but I’m aware there is some controversy about the definition of ‘acronym’.)

I was an English major & still don’t get why some people say “an hotel.”

R12 I say "an historic event" but have never said "an hotel". I un derstand why we say "an honor" because the h is silent but I have no idea where I learned to say "an historic" or "an hysterical".

[quote] I was an English major & still don’t get why some people say “an hotel.”

I believe words that start with H and have a French origin (where the H is silent) should be preceded by AN.

Use A and AN based on the natural sound, not by some rule. An hotel, An NBC show, An historic event

The problem is the rule is often far more complicated than an easy phrase.

For example, I before E, except after C has more to it. The rest is "Except for words of Germanic origin."

[quote] For example, I before E, except after C has more to it. The rest is "Except for words of Germanic origin."

The elementary school rule is "I before E, except after C or when sounding like 'ay' as in 'neighbor' and 'weigh;' " but, that still doesn't cover it all (e.g., foreign, forfeit, height, ancient, concierge, fancies, etc.)

All of OP's examples call for "an." She is aware of the "depends" (kind of lazy) simplification of R6's point, and implies the information in R5.

Quibble quibble quibble.

[quote] I believe words that start with H and have a French origin (where the H is silent) should be preceded by AN. Use A and AN based on the natural sound, not by some rule. An hotel, An NBC show, An historic event

This is partially correct. A /An are chosen based on the sound of the subsequent word's first syllable. If it begins with a vowel sound, use "An." if it begins with a consonant sound, use "A." We usually do this naturally. (Do you know anyone who says "a hour"?)

While the integration of French words and pronunciations into the English Language around 1066 when the Normans invaded England is a likely impetus for this "a/an before H" confusion, the modern rule isn't really related to the origin of the word any longer. Hospital, hotel, hostel, host, hostess, herb, helicopter, habit, etc. are all words that entered into the English language by way of the French that do not have a silent H in (American) English. The modern rule applies to all words in which the first syllable of the subsequent word begins with a vowel sound (hour, honest, etc.)

Words like "historic" run into issues because certain countries (UK) and regions (parts of New England) often don't pronounce the H at the beginning of the word (the opposite is true for the word, "herb," which is usually pronounced "erb" in the States and "herb" in the UK.) Most American English style books recommend using "a historic" (e.g., Chicago Manual of Style, Gregg Reference Manual, AP Stylebook) whereas British English style books most often recommend using "an historic" (e.g., Fowlers Modern English Usage). Then you have some Americans who use "an historic" to try to sound posh - stealing British pronunciations is often a method people use to try to sound posh. As always, speak and write for your audience.

For your examples, most Americans would say "A hotel," "An NBC show," "A historic event." Brits might use "an" for all of them (not sure whether most regions of the UK pronounce the H in Hotel or not).

And "seize", R16. That one always gives me pause, though I have no problem with "foreign" for some reason.

[quote] And "seize", [R16]. That one always gives me pause, though I have no problem with "foreign" for some reason.

I always struggle with "receive" even though it follows the rule. I never spell it correctly on the first try.