Torking Proply an' 'at

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

The recent speech fad that seems to be effecting people is the pronouciation of words such as "performance" with an extra "r" in them, giving "prerformance". Maybe it's just my hearing but I find it extremely irritating...

What about "February"? Many people, including BBC announcers, asuume that because it follows on from "January", it should therefore be pronounced as "Febyooery".

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I have a long-standing issue with posh people dropping the "e" in the word "geography". It is a similar affliction.

In this case, I assumed the "e" was there to soften the "g". "G" followed by "a", "o" or "u" is pronouced as in "god", "gawp", "gun". There are very few exceptions to this.

[Panjandrum]

In this case, I assumed the "e" was there to soften the "g". "G" followed by "a", "o" or "u" is pronouced as in "god", "gawp", "gun". There are very few exceptions to this.

The Italians do likewise. I'm afraid the BP rises whenever I hear "Gee-oh-vani" or, even worse, "Gee-oh-sepp-ee" or "Gee-oh-ack-ee-no". No, no, no, no!.

[Pabmusic]

What about "February"? Many people, including BBC announcers, asuume that because it follows on from "January", it should therefore be pronounced as "Febyooery".

I suspect the 'br' is awkward for some people to pronounce* - at least when it doesn't mark the junction of two syllables, as it does in a name like Allbright, but also (as with February) at other times. The best example I know is the ordinal number 'third'. It comes from 'three' and used to be 'thrid' or 'thridth', but that proved a bit of a mouthful, and it 'morphed' (to use a rather quaint modern cliche) many hundreds of years ago.

*Many people have trouble with the letter 'r' - if not always to the extent of the new England manager, or Roy Jenkins, or Frank Muir (what act of fate gave them names with such prominent 'r' sounds?).

[amateur51]

Indeed. Notice in my workplace: Do not close this door for health and safety reasons

So presumably it's permitted to close it for other reasons, but I'm not sure that's what they meant.

[amateur51]

Or, "Dogs Must Be Carried on the Escalator". Anyone got a spare canine?

Spot on, Panyan!

I also like "Kindly take all your belongings with you" - oh I didn't bring them all today, shall I .....

And "Please use all available doors" - I haven't got time before they all shut!

[Panjandrum]

*Many people have trouble with the letter 'r' - if not always to the extent of the new England manager, or Roy Jenkins, or Frank Muir (what act of fate gave them names with such prominent 'r' sounds?).

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

What about "February"? Many people, including BBC announcers, asuume that because it follows on from "January", it should therefore be pronounced as "Febyooery".

Ah, but these people couldn't organize a party in a byooery!

[scottycelt]

Ah, but these people couldn't organize a party in a byooery!

I would hate to be the sole pedant here, but shouldn't it be 'organise'? ... or are you an American?

[amateur51]

I would hate to be the sole pedant here, but shouldn't it be 'organise'? ... or are you an American?

I thought you were a soul pedant, scotty

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I would hate to be the sole pedant here, but shouldn't it be 'organise'? ... or are you an American?

No, British; that's why I spell it "organize"!

[Panjandrum]

No, British; that's why I spell it "organize"!

Ferns has got you there Scotty - banged to rights!

[Pabmusic]

I would hate to be the sole pedant here, but shouldn't it be 'organise'? ... or are you an American?

The OED (and every other major dictionary) gives -ize as the preferred spelling. Trouble is, in Britain we just ignore it and usually write -ise. Except in print, when -ize is quite common. It's the French influence.

[Serial_Apologist]

From book of "My Sayings" kept by my mum, up to my fifth year:

"I want to see Daddy go through the window"

and:

Mum: "You bite off your food with your front teeth, and chew with your back ones".
Me: "But I haven't got any teeth on my back!"

Lovely thing, the English language...

[Lateralthinking1]

In this case, I assumed the "e" was there to soften the "g". "G" followed by "a", "o" or "u" is pronouced as in "god", "gawp", "gun". There are very few exceptions to this.

Yes, agreed, but it is pronounced "gee". Gee-o-physics, Gee-ometry, Gee-ography etc.