When I bought my home in Malibu (Point Dume) in 1997 my realtor informed me of the correct punctuation of Pt. Dum. I, of course, as most people do, pronounced it “doom” which to be honest with you sounded horrible. I was thrilled to know I had been pronouncing it incorrectly. “Doomay” certainly sounds a little more “elegant” (for lack of a better word.) I’m not that superstitious but the thought of living on Pt. “Doom” sounded frightening, kind of like a “B” grade horror movie.
In response to the gentleman who a few weeks back suggested that we rename Point Dum to Point Doomay so that people would know how to pronounce it, I say do your research. On November 24, 1793, the English explorer George Vancouver (1757-98) landed on this promontory extending into the sea and named it Point Dume after his longtime Franciscan friend Father Francisco Dumetz. The official name is Dum with the accent mark over the “e.” This information can be found at the registered Historical Landmark No. 965 at the top of the point. So in my estimation if we “campaigned” to change the name to “Doomay” then we are changing history as well and I don’t think George or the Good Father would appreciate that. My suggestion is that we Malibuians just be consistent in our pronunciation of Dum using the accent mark at all time. Our local newspapers, magazines and periodicals should print Dum with the accent mark and the local advertisers should do the same. I feel just by word of mouth the correct pronunciation will come about through time.
To be honest with you if we’re going to get “phonetical” as opposed to “fanatical” regarding this issue then I guess we should be changing Mal-la-boo.” Of course that “boo” part sounds like another reference to a “B” grade horror movie again. So with that in mind let’s just keep the names the same and work on our pronunciation and by all means keep Malibu relaxed, refined, dignified and within the “A” grade status as it has always been.
Steve Lauren