Crossword Help Forum
Forum Rules

Jigjag and Grunger, and any other interested parties. Here's a clue, from this week's Spectator puzzle, that might resonate with you.

22 D. Fit topless clothing for female seeking love (8).

Jigjag,

Like you, I have got used to seeing Halloween without its apostrophe - and I think I now prefer it!

Grunger,

I haven't seen you around much lately, but I now know why. All my local supermarkets have shelves and shelves of mince pies - deep-filled, all butter, iced, mini, vegan.... It's good to see how busy you have been, pies have perhaps taken over your life?

Malone

No witches se'en on Hallowe'en
So quiet e'en in Aberde'en

I think Grunger was trying to get a dancing job abroad, or she might be in the "Strictly" bio-secure bubble, whatever that is. But you are probably right, baking all those pies has kept her busy.

i'm watching the italy england women's rugby. why do people have no trouble pronouncing "pizza" but can't cope with "azzuri"?

Yet they leave the T out of a lot of English words like bu'er and pota'o!

Indeed, Rossim, (bu'er and pota'o). I forgive those who have been brought up with that as the family dialect, but I scorn upper/middle class politicians (usually) who contrive to sound like 'one of the people'. Even the sainted Princess Diana was developing the habit (the People's Princess then became her epitaph).

I suffer a lot here living in the same county as Lu'on and Lu'on Airpor'.

Chap on BBC Radio this morning talking about `parthes` - instead of `paths`

I wonder if he says `marthes` instead of `maths`

"what's this glo'al stop thing all about?"

Tyke re 'parthes' - is your tongue in your cheek?

This pronunciation of 'paths' isn't unusual. It is, after all, Received Pronunciation which hasn't yet been laughed out of court. RP would, however, keep the short 'a' in maths just as it's short in mathematics.

I and many others say 'barthes' for baths and even Newcarstle.

I'm all for regional variations and disapprove only of those who try to change their natural accent for effect.

Paulh

I too am all for regional variations in pronunciation, but I disapprove of those who think `their`accent is superior or more correct than that of others. Apparently Margaret Thartcher had a voice coach, presumably to lose her Grarntham arccent and sound more `RP`.

Tyke@1979 - the whole business is a minefield because Grarntham, Thartcher and arccent are not RP at all. I think Mrs T's coaching was to make her less shrill.

I entirely agree about false superiority. RP has a reputation for snobbery in some quarters but it would be unattractive inverted snobbery if the Queen tried to talk like a Cockney.