I've seen it written that many chazzanim use "Adoshem" when singing (if not in the davening) as it has the same number of syllables as what they would be saying, namely Ado-noi, but that this is disrespectful, and they should just say "Hashem" instead.
Why is it disrespectful? Does everyone agree with this? What about using "Amonai" ("my Ammonites"?), as is done in the movie Ushpizin? I understand why it was done there (had to sound close to the real thing), but I've since heard a choir use it too.
Answer
The source for the statement that it's disrespectful is Taz, Orach Chaim 621:2 (and from there in Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 6:3). He writes:
ועוד יש ללמוד מדברים הנזכרים כאן דבמקום שאין אנו רוצים להזכיר שם של אדנות י"ל השם, ולא כמ"ש המון עם אדושם, כי אין זה דרך כבוד של מעלה, אלא י"ל כלשון התנא השם
So it sounds like he's saying that the only acceptable substitute is "Hashem," as found in the Mishnah (Yoma 3:8, 4:2, 6:2) and in the Yom Kippur Avodah. If I understand his reasoning correctly, the point is that the substitute word itself has to somehow express respect for the Divine Name, as "Hashem" does (since it means "the Name [which we are not allowed to say in this context]." By contrast, a word like "Adoshem," while it avoids the problem of saying G-d's Name in vain, isn't a respectful substitute, since it has no meaning.
According to that, then, "Amonai" might also be problematic.
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