Firstly, "root" +1 from Hong Kong Yahoo dictionary...
http://hk.dictionary.yahoo.com/dictionary?p=route
Then, it appears a typical pronunciation difference between British and American...
http://www.howjsay.com/index.php?word=route&submit=Submit
While some people suggest that there is a little historical factor... one more party French... hmm...
http://ph.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100511082156AAuZ6VL
Interesting responses:
"I say root. Personally, I cringe when I hear someone pronounce it rowt."
"I say root. I hate when people say rowt. They all must die."
Conclusion: 
For some reason my mind has made a distinction between 'to route' 'a route' and 'my/his route'.
ReplyDeleteI use 'root' in verb context for present tense, 'rowt' in verb context for past tense. I use 'rowt' in noun context when referring to the path itself, but 'root' in noun context when referring to the route as possessed/owned by someone.
I root something down it's rowt.
I will root(verb) the package to the right truck after they have received the rowt(noun) from the main office. Once all the packages are rowted(verb), I will confirm the driver's root(noun) is correct.