Pronunciation watch

[Bryn]

Having elsewhere mentioned that I am no particular fan of May, I should perhaps, especially with this being a pronunciation thread, clarify that I was referring to Theresa, not the very wonderful Gisela, of whom I remain a considerable fan.

[jean]

Which she immediately corrected, and yes, is was Vaz.

I was just interested in the way Vaz's mistake led to her (however temporarily) making a different one.

It is the principle of the tongue-twister, isn't it? We're familiar with the confusion caused by red lorry, yellow lorry and similar if you repeat them often enough. But here, it happened even when the confusing pronunciation was inserted by another speaker.

[Bryn]

I was just interested in the way Vaz's mistake led to her (however temporarily) making a different one.

It is the principle of the tongue-twister, isn't it? We're familiar with the confusion caused by red lorry, yellow lorry and similar if you repeat them often enough. But here, it happened even when the confusing pronunciation was inserted by another speaker.

Indeed, and as for nucular[sic]! It has become standard, even for those who know it's hopelessly wrong. How difficult is new clear pronunciation?

[ahinton]

It is the principle of the tongue-twister, isn't it? We're familiar with the confusion caused by red lorry, yellow lorry and similar if you repeat them often enough.

Being a Scot I've always given pride of place to "the Leith police dismisseth us" (not that I've ever been arrested by them, you understand)...

[Radio64]

Having elsewhere mentioned that I am no particular fan of May, I should perhaps, especially with this being a pronunciation thread, clarify that I was referring to Theresa, not the very wonderful Gisela, of whom I remain a considerable fan.

Which of course begs the question, how do you pronounce "T(h)eresa"?

..or even "Gisela"?

[french frank]

Anyone here know why Joseph William Alexander Sloss (later to become the spouse of Ann Elizabeth Oldfield Havers) chose to add the Butler to his surname by deed poll?

Father's occupation? Sounds better than Patchell-Sloss or Snelling-Sloss? It's the 'tl' followed by 'sl' that creates the bit of a tongue-twister.

[jean]

...as for nucular[sic]! It has become standard, even for those who know it's hopelessly wrong...

It's just metathesis - like brid/bird and many similar.

[Pabmusic]

It's just metathesis - like brid/bird and many similar.

Yes - at least one of which (thrid/third) stuck in its 'mistaken' form.

[french frank]

Yes - at least one of which (thrid/third) stuck in its 'mistaken' form.

Old English was 'brid' too (etym. unkn.)

[Pabmusic]

Old English was 'brid' too (etym. unkn.)

Well, there you go…

[jean]

Old English was 'brid' too (etym. unkn.)

That was my point!

[french frank]

That was my point!

So it was - I misattributed it to me :-). I was only looking at Pabs's post just before. Sorry.

[ardcarp]

Then there's 'The bloke's back brake block broke'.
(And does anyone know the one about Miss Piggy Wiggy and her punt? Maybe best forgotten anyway.)

[Honoured Guest]

Anyone here know why Joseph William Alexander Sloss (later to become the spouse of Ann Elizabeth Oldfield Havers) chose to add the Butler to his surname by deed poll?

No, I don't know.

According to The Peerage website, the name was changed by deed poll on 3 Aug 1971, nearly thirteen years after they married.

The surnames of their three children (then aged eleven, nine and three) were similarly changed by deed poll on the same date.

I know that at least one of these children uses the surname Butler, professionally.

I'm intrigued now!!

I recommend a full public inquiry. I propose Nigel Havers as Chairman.

[Pabmusic]

So it was - I misattributed it to me :-). I was only looking at Pabs's post just before. Sorry.

No - all my fault. I forgot about that ('forgot' is correct since it's clearly given in an Anglo-Saxon grammar that's very well thumbed).