Pronunciation watch

[french frank]

Suomi Alker

I thought I'd heard of her so googled to see what it might say. First: 'Did you mean Suomi Walker?' No, dear, you're thinking of Sarah Walker.

Then AI took over:' "Suomi Alker" likely refers to Elizabeth Alker, the former host of BBC Radio 3's "Saturday Breakfast" program, who was replaced by Emma Clarke on October 5, 2024' . (I keep meaning to try and make this emoji smaller as I rather like it).

[Roger Webb]

I thought I'd heard of her so googled to see what it might say. First: 'Did you mean Suomi Walker?' No, dear, you're thinking of Sarah Walker.

Then AI took over:' "Suomi Alker" likely refers to Elizabeth Alker, the former host of BBC Radio 3's "Saturday Breakfast" program, who was replaced by Emma Clarke on October 5, 2024' . (I keep meaning to try and make this emoji smaller as I rather like it).

I only chose Alker because she's doing the afternoon show at the same time of day as the AI sounding female 'Suomi' (Suomaa would be wetter than even Alker!) on YLE.....

Oh, BTW just been into Monmouth and, as I passed the lovely little theatre they still have, spotted a show/lecture you may be interested in, 'The Carpenters Experience'. Makes a change from the 'tribute bands' that are their mainstay.

[oddoneout]

Looking at the afternoon listings just now I see it includes an item which I think we hardly ever hear given its forrin, aka proper title, certainly not on the newform R3 chat'n'pieces.
"Manuel de Falla
El Sombrero de tres picos
Orchestra: Orquesta Sinfónica de Radio Televisión Española. Conductor: Christoph König."
Plenty there for Ms Alker to wrap her tongue round methinks.

[LMcD]

I don't know how it's done....I did say 'AI-sounding', but I think perhaps they are merely pre-recorded and tacked-on by the computer.

I've heard a lady, but not for a while...a sort of Suomi Alker, and only in the afternoon (I tend to listen most in the morning) - when the trumpets change to clarinets it's walks and shopping time!

[french frank]

spotted a show/lecture you may be interested in, 'The Carpenters Experience'. Makes a change from the 'tribute bands' that are their mainstay.

Coincidentally, I just rescued my old Workmate from storage this afternoon and have been cleaning and oiling it ready for use

[vinteuil]

I was corrected in my pronunciation at lunch yesterday.

I have always [æt: suae lxxij ] pronounced the landscape-garden feature as a Ha Ha - equal stress on each Ha

But no - it shd be ha HA! - to express the surprize of the vistor encountering the obstacle unexpectedly.

Shan't make that mistake again...

[Roger Webb]

Coincidentally, I just rescued my old Workmate from storage this afternoon and have been cleaning and oiling it ready for use

I have a Black and Decker W/M in my shed which I drag out to stand in for the kitchen table when my wife's in! It dates back to the mid 80s and has had a hard life (the W/M, not the wife) It still functions...but probably needs 'oiling' - I presume a little 3-in-1 on the vice screws would do it. It has many drill holes and mis-judged saw cuts....but in a way it looks as if it's been used by someone who knows how to bang a screw in!

[french frank]

I was corrected in my pronunciation at lunch yesterday.

I have always [æt: suae lxxij ] pronounced the landscape-garden feature as a Ha Ha - equal stress on each Ha

But no - it shd be ha HA! - to express the surprize of the vistor encountering the obstacle unexpectedly.

Shan't make that mistake again...

I think you're probably using the French pronunciation:
< French haha (17th cent. in Hatzfeld & Darmesteter) ‘an obstacle interrupting one's way sharply and disagreeably, a ditch behind an opening in a wall at the bottom of an alley or walk’; according to French etymologists, < ha! exclamation of surprise.

OED says:
British English
/ˈhɑːhɑː/
HAH-hah
U.S. English
/ˈhɑˌhɑ/
HAH-hah

which is what I say, but having tried out my pronunciation several times, and listened carefully, I would say that I pronounce it with just a very, very slight emphasis on the first, with a downward change of pitch. I think English always has at least one stressed syllable. French more often stresses the final - very lightly.

Roger - Yes, a battered B&Q, the two top boards horribly abused. I just sprayed all the hinged bits with WD40.

[oddoneout]

It's all getting a bit racy today, what with cleaning and oiling a workmate, and 3in1 on the vice screws...

[french frank]

It's all getting a bit racy today, what with cleaning and oiling a workmate, and 3in1 on the vice screws...

I wonder what WD40 is code for?

[Pulcinella]

I wonder what WD40 is code for?

I don't know that it is 'code' for anything, as such, but it derives from the 40th formula for a water displacement product.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WD-40

[french frank]

I don't know that it is 'code' for anything, as such, but it derives from the 40th formula for a water displacement product.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WD-40

Don't know what ooo will make of that!

[oddoneout]

Don't know what ooo will make of that!

More than is good for me, especially in combination with reading about 3in1 spray's attributes!

[Roger Webb]

More than is good for me, especially in combination with reading about 3in1 spray's attributes!

3-in-1 oil is just a light machine oil which can be used for applications such as sewing machines and bikes....it doesn't come as a spray but a squarish can with a tapering tube applicator which makes an attractive little slurp as it dispenses its useful lubricant.

I actually have a can of WD-40 which must date back 45 years when I worked repairing musical instruments (electronic)....it's been squirted in some interesting places!!

[oddoneout]

3-in-1 oil is just a light machine oil which can be used for applications such as sewing machines and bikes....it doesn't come as a spray but a squarish can with a tapering tube applicator which makes an attractive little slurp as it dispenses its useful lubricant.

I actually have a can of WD-40 which must date back 45 years when I worked repairing musical instruments (electronic)....it's been squirted in some interesting places!!

https://3-in-one.co.uk/product/3-in-one-original-multi-purpose-oil-spray/