John Walker

“ Perry, Entick, and Fry, pronounce the eo like long open o, as if written yōman: and this last appears to me to be the most received pronunciation. It is that which we constantly hear applied to the King's body guard, and it is that which has always been the pronunciation on the Stage; an authority which, in this case, may not, perhaps, improperly be called the best echo of the public voice. I well remember hearing Mr. Garrick pronounce the word in this manner, in a speech in King Lear: "Tell me, fellow, is a madman a gentleman, or a yōman?" ”

“ Being of a bright glaring colour, as gold.
☞ Mr. Sheridan, Mr. Nares, Mr. Scott, Dr. Jones, and Mr. Fry, pronounce this word as if written yallow, rhyming with tallow. But Dr. Kenrick, W. Johnston, Mr. Smith, and Mr. Perry, preserve the e in its pure sound, and rhyme the word with mellow. The latter mode is, in my opinion, clearly ihe best, both as more agreeable to analogy, and the best usage; for I am much deceived if the former pronunciation does not border closely on the vulgar. ”

“ This obscure sound of the possessive pronoun your always takes place when it is used to signify any species of persons or things in an indeterminate sense. Thus Addison, speaking of those metaphors which professional men most commonly fall into, says, "Your men of business usually have recourse to such instances as are too mean and familiar." Spectator. No. 421.
Yourself, y2ur-s2elf′. s.
You, even you; ye, not others.
☞ The pronunciation of your in this word is a confirmation of the observations on the foregoing word. ”