Why is it "An Historic" but not "An History book" or "An Historian"?

[GreatGazoo]

I always hear a cockney accent in my mind when I read "an historic".

Like "Good day guv'nah. Might I interest chew in an 'istoric tour of 'istoric 'houses wut is led by an 'istorian?"

Perhaps I should ask a magistrate or a barrister...

[nuxvomica]

1. Depends which syllable is accented

It's "an his-TOR-ic" but "a HIS-tor-y". The H-sound is muted when the first syllable is not accented.

[Croney]

3. What about a historian?

It must be an historian. I think you're right.

[nuxvomica]

4. Correct! I should also add it can become an issue of clarity

When someone says "a historical" it sounds like "ahistorical" a word that means "not related to, involving, or contrary to history."

[GreatGazoo]

5. had not thought of "ahistorical"

makes sense

[marble falls]

2. a or an is allowed with 'h'. Go with the one that sounds best.