graham

North merkins use the French "filet" instead of the English "fillet". For
example: McYouKnowWho sell "Filet of fish". I find it almost as annoying as
their habit of saying "erb" instead of "herb". 'as the 'abit started in
Blighty?

Graham

"You say elevator, we say lift. You say aluminum, we say aluminium. You say
caterpillar, we say... caterpillar. You say 'erbs', and we say 'herbs'
because there's a f***ing 'h' in it." Eddie Izzard.

the reids

Following up to graham


If anybody said "fillay" or "erb" to me I would make them eat
that stuff from my fridge. Never heard it here except in truly
french dish name.
--
Mike Reid
Wasdale-Thames path-London-photos "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk" <-- you can email us@ this site
Eat-walk-Spain "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk" <-- dontuse@ all, it's a spamtrap

jpg

How about o "regg" ano, Zucchini, tomayto, paasta, green onions, rutabaga, New
York Strip, broiling etc.

Mostly the Merkans mangle French as they say coop de grace (rhymes with loop the
space), Noter Dame (rhymes with motor-same) etc. Strangely they are more French
than we are when it comes to 'erb and filet.

Apparently the word used to be pronounced erb in the UK until about the
twenties. As in many cases, the Yanks use purer English than the English,
giving the lie to those who say they are destroying the language. JPG

limey

But they do say, "Hotel", and not "ôtel"
and "humble", not "umble". (grin)

Hmmm. Zucchini = courgettes, oui? Is there an English equivalent?

Not too strange. Remember the proximity to the French Canadians.

I will say, however, that my teeth go on edge when people pronounce the name
of a nearby town, Havre de Grace: Haver dee Grace, as in the Christian
name! It takes all kinds to make the world go around.

We have an island in the Chesapeake Bay of Maryland (where i live) where the
native-born, I am told, speak pure Elizabethan English. Darned if I've
noticed it, but if it makes them
happy to think that.........

Dora

ophelia

oui

Is there an English equivalent?

Baby marrow

phil c.

I believe the survival of "an" before hotel, historic etc is because
we didn't used to pronounce the "h".


I suppose it's no worse than some Brit pronunciations of place names
of French origin - Beaulieu, Belvoir etc.

I believe that's just an urban legend - everyone's language has moved
on in the last 400 years.

My 3xgreat granpappy was buried in Maryland. Why? Probably because he
was dead, I suppose. Loudon Park(?) Baltimore. Never been there, mind.
Probably never will now.
--
Phil C.

stodgy puss

A little OT, but what is the 'Proper' pronunciation of 'Noilly Prat?
Rick Stein said he doesn't know either and always says Noillly Pratt. And so
do I.
Anybody?

Stodge.


---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.809 / Virus Database: 551 - Release Date: 09/12/2004

limey

Well, I'll be darned. I know it well. We used to live not far from the
cemetery when we lived in the Baltimore suburbs. Small world, eh?

Dora

phil c.

Somebody sent me a photograph of the grave when they visited it with a
very distant relative of mine who had a "V" after his name ("The
Fifth"). I didn't know people really put numbers after their names
(well, apart from Our Gracious Sovereign Lady, Brenda) - I thought it
was just in films.
--
Phil C.

graham

I would have thought it obvious as Hollywood films are so true to life;-)
Graham