University Challenge

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

.

... I think Smyth here rhymes with Forsyth.

See pages 136-138 of -

https://scholarworks.iu.edu/dspace/bitstream/handle/2022/17573/Moon%2C%20Sarah%20%28DM%20Organ%29.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y

.

Yes, that's how WIKI also describes the pronunciation - but it might be correct, even so. As a youngster (yes, even me) I was told in no uncertain terms that my attempted pronunciation (rhyming with "blithe") was a common error, and that the correct version was as in "myth". Having subsequently heard the "Smith" version many times on R3 in the '80s, I presumed that t'other way was just my being higgerant.

So now the implication is that I was right first time, and any such higgerance was a result of heddicashun.

Just goes to show.

[vinteuil]

.

... but, ferney, blithe does not rhyme with Forsyth!

So it should have the long i sound as in scythe but with the th as in myth not blythe.

.

[french frank]

.

... but, ferney, blithe does not rhyme with Forsyth!
.

Unless pronounced in the Scottish way with the accent on the second syllable and the 'th' unvoiced.

[vinteuil]

Unless pronounced in the Scottish way with the accent on the second syllable and the 'th' unvoiced.

.... surely the 'th' in Forsyth is unvoiced whether pronounced in a Scottish or English way?

.

[french frank]

.... surely the 'th' in Forsyth is unvoiced whether pronounced in a Scottish or English way?

.

I was trying to remember how 'people' pronounced Bruce Forsyth, and decided 'they' said FOR-scythe. In which case blithe does rhyme with Forsyth. It could be just that my memory of how 'they' pronounce Bruce Forsyth goes back 30 years 40 years and that later 'people' have changed to For-SYTH with the 'th' unvoiced.

I'm inclined to think that Smith, Smyth and Smythe pronounced in any way other than as in 'blacksmith' is probably originally an affectation, in which case people may pronounce their own name how they wish. Just let us know

[ardcarp]

Blimey. That was hard. Thank God for a few music questions. Worthy finalist teams...both brilliant...the questions falling St John's way.

[Richard Tarleton]

Indeed. I'm looking forward to the review of the final in the blog Mr GG told us about, it's added a whole new dimension to my enjoyment of the series, characterisations razor sharp. Shame Mr Peplow missed Meistersinger..... St John's terrifying....

[Serial_Apologist]

Amazing the winners didn't know the Mastersingers overture! Or the answer to the final question, Desmond Morris.

[LMcD]

Rather spookily, I had a spare 10 minutes before settling down to 'Only Connect' and 'University Challenge'. 'What shall I pop onto the CD player while waiting?' I thought to myself. 'Oh yes, Rickenbacher's Wagner highlights'. The overture to Meistersinger was exactly the right length.... I like to think I would have recognized it anyway. I agree with RT about St John's.

[Richard Tarleton]

Mr GG's friend's blog revew of the final http://universitychallenged.tumblr.com/ -

Over at St John’s, Captain Devine-Stoneman and Hazell The Vet clearly decided the final meant turning it up a notch, and by turning it up a notch I mean throwing on the only shirt, jacket and tie in their respective wardrobes.

The tweets below have been hilarious.

[BBMmk2]

Caught up with the Final last night. Great to see a Cambridge University to win. Also rather good to see Gillian Weir give out the pize. Was'bnt it the sadly now the late professor Stephen Hawking who was the person giving out the prize?

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Also rather good to see Gillian Weir give out the pize.

Judith, Bbm.

[Richard Barrett]

Great to see a Cambridge University to win.

Yes, the position of traditional elites at the top of the hierarchy is triumphantly confirmed. Hurrah!

[Sir Velo]

Yes, the position of traditional elites at the top of the hierarchy is triumphantly confirmed. Hurrah!

Yes, long live mediocrity eh?

[BBMmk2]

Yes, the position of traditional elites at the top of the hierarchy is triumphantly confirmed. Hurrah!

My father went to Queen's College Cambridge.

Thanks Ferney!