Is it Stine or Steen?

When did it change?

Photo by Buddha Elemental 3D on Unsplash

Before we get into the reason I am asking this question, I am going to explain my take on what a stein is.

A stein is a drinking vessel. They can be made of various materials such as pewter, glass or stone. They can have lids on them; I believe I may have a pair of the somewhere.

I believe stein is the German word for stone. If this is not true there is lady on this platform who will be on my case and correct me and probably admonish me; so, fingers crossed I am right. 🙄

This article is not about drinking tankards but about pronunciation.

There have been many people named whose name ends with stein. The most famous would be the man who gave us the theory of relativity, Albert Einstein. The Beatles first manager was Brian Epstein.

When I have heard the names of these illustrious gentlemen, and indeed when I have spoken them, the names Epstein or Einstein have always been pronounced with the last syllable rhymed with line; Epstine or Einstine. (Am I making sense here?)

However, another person with the name Epstein has appeared on the scene. A rather unsavoury character called Jeffery Epstein.

The crimes of this odious individual have been well documented, and this article isn’t about him but the pronunciation of his name.

For some reason all broadcasters are pronouncing his name as Epsteen.

I don’t know if it is the same in other countries or is just some stupid idea dreamed up by the BBC?

If it is official, will we have to call the man who gave us the theory of relativity Eelbert Eenstein?

Will the 34th president of the USA be called Dwight.D.Eesehower?

Will all the drinkers at German beer festivals bee drinking from Steens?

I think we should be told.

Thanks for reading.

©Barry Robinson 2025