Could be a local thing. I knew some young women in Alpha Phi sorority when I was in college and they always pronounced it Fi, not Fee.

Why is “phi r not square, phi r round” funny?
Only if you pronounce it “pie”.

How do you describe the ignoramuses who don’t know how to pronounce eyegnoramus?

Good thought. I don’t know that we can ever be sure in saying one pronunciation is right or wrong. Barr’s selection was based on the use of the letter Phi for reasons other than its pronunciation, and not the specific pronunciation that was common to his profession or geographic location. Americans and Brits say the word “schedule” differently, but it’s not who used it first that determines proper and acceptable usage. It’s which circles you use it in. Barr created this definition in about 1910-1915 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk%3AMark_Barr) so the usage at that time might not be the same as today, and would not necessarily dictate proper usage today either.

I learned to pronounce Φ as FEE throughout prep. school, from both calculus and AP physics (AKA ” Φ sucks “) – when I got to an Ivy League College in 1973 and vocalized Φ as FEE I was almost laughed off the campus – provincialism?

This, er… urges me to say that you’ve uncovered the relation of the divine proportion/golden rectangle to the Chief Cornerstone (which is of course double the cubic volume). Four salvations, and four graces, that makes two of the four base cornerstones, the four-square. Further, this Bra-seer has certainly uplifted the bride of Christ! Not only has the faith/works controversy been resolved,but the circle (pie-hole) has been squared! Don’t worry too much if you don’t get it yet, you have plenty of company. After all, consider this, “a sound … as of [the moaning of a spirit)… wind… filled the whole… where they were sitting” (Acts2:2). Holy is the Spirit. Agape’, my immortal beloved, my virgin madonna, my Theresa of A’vila. Be well.

Ummm… It takes a little longer for some… However, I’m going with the assumption (as, apparently, did the editor) that you did not intend it in that manner. You see, along with two pronunciations of phi, there are two directions in which a spiral may be constructed therefrom, sort of like with swastikas. One is a death spiral, and one is a resurrection spiral. So, for Christ’s sake, take care in how you build. True metaphysics cannot be separated from physics. The regeneration begins thus. 1)The common salvation by grace through faith alone 2) The salvation from God’s wrath 3)The salvation of the soul 4)The rock of my salvation. All grace is given, up to #3, that is the resurrection of the spirit body, which is the first resurrection, which is the second birth. Thereafter abide within the three diminishing measures of grace. Otherwise, your soul may be in mortis extremis, subject to the second death. Be blessed.

Yes. In mathematics always pronounced Fee.