[PW] ? pronunciation of "lieutenant"

[John Franklin]

The following question is being sent to the list on behalf of Peter  
E. Blau, because for whatever reason his attempts to send it have  
failed.

Why is it that "lieutenant" is pronounced "leftenant" on one side of  
the Atlantic, and "lootenant" on the other?  I find the explanation  
at Wikipedia less than authoritative.

Many thanks,
--
Peter E. Blau
7103 Endicott Court
Bethesda, MD 20817-4401
(301-229-5669)