Either Pronunciation

Well, I guess I'll quit trying to force the pronunciation of "either" to be with an "e" sound to start.  The controversy involving Americans and British need not begin Revolutionary War II.  That having been said, however, how many of you remember your teachers' discussing "either . . . or" and "neither . . . nor" and using the "i" sound to start "either" and "neither"?  A very small percentage, I feel sure.  I believe the late comedic genius--and grammar expert, no less--George Carlin put it this way:  "Why do you think the "e" pronunciation is given first in most dictionaries?!"

I'll remind readers, by the way, that I'm making a concerted effort to eliminate the word "nor" from the English language.  I can no longer find one logical, proper use of that word.

Nor: More or Less

I've discussed the misuses of the word "nor."  I stress that the only correct use of "nor" is with "neither."  Well, guess what?  I'm not sure even that use is ideal.  Why?  Well, "neither" means "not either."  Let's substitute.  Take the sentence, "He is neither my brother nor my cousin."  Change it to, "He is not either my brother nor my cousin."  Oops--we've created a double (or 1 1/2) negative with both "not" and "nor."  How about, "He is not either my brother or my cousin."  Better.  Then why don't we say, "He is neither my brother or my cousin"?  Long-time custom, I guess.  I'd just as soon get rid of "nor" altogether.  Who's with me?