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Sundae · 08-06-2008, 06:22 PM

One of my annoying traits is picking up on other people's mis-pronounciations (genuine or unintentional) and using them for my own amusement. When I'm in a relationship or a close friendship it's not so bad - they become part of the verbal shorthand. I know I've passed on a couple to other people that way.

But when I'm by myself they are the archetypal private joke - even I find it wearing. I often repeat things under my breath, or just think them if I'm having a conversation.

For example thinking Ly-ces-ter to myself when talking about Leicester. Or Pickaly-Dickaly when talking about Piccadilly Circus, or the Piccadilly Line. Both of those come from a documentary about the staff at Islington station that I watched when I was still at school - one of the guards used to pretend to be helpful to tourists but really screw them over. I suppose he was a "character" but for Dad it confirmed his view of North Londoners. Miserable sod, he said.

My newest one is calling one of our bitters Bom-BAR-dee-ay. After a customer asked for it that way. Prior to that I'd been walking round with the poem Timothy Winters in my head "Old man Winters likes his beer/ And his missus ran off with a bombadier/ Grandma sits in the grate with a gin/ and Timothy's dosed with an aspirin."

Sloppy language bothers me though. I probably do say, "Try and..." although it would come out as trine - as in, "I'm not sure, I'll trine find out for you." I'm pretty sure I wouldn't write it though. At least not in a formal letter. It's like should have sounding like should of - I'd never write should of but I could be accused of saying it. We run our words together here you see.

I don't use the word got in conversation though. I say have. Also try my best never to confuse can and may. And get me and I correct.

I'm a good girl I am.

08-06-2008, 06:22 PM	#37
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	One of my annoying traits is picking up on other people's mis-pronounciations (genuine or unintentional) and using them for my own amusement. When I'm in a relationship or a close friendship it's not so bad - they become part of the verbal shorthand. I know I've passed on a couple to other people that way. But when I'm by myself they are the archetypal private joke - even I find it wearing. I often repeat things under my breath, or just think them if I'm having a conversation. For example thinking Ly-ces-ter to myself when talking about Leicester. Or Pickaly-Dickaly when talking about Piccadilly Circus, or the Piccadilly Line. Both of those come from a documentary about the staff at Islington station that I watched when I was still at school - one of the guards used to pretend to be helpful to tourists but really screw them over. I suppose he was a "character" but for Dad it confirmed his view of North Londoners. Miserable sod, he said. My newest one is calling one of our bitters Bom-BAR-dee-ay. After a customer asked for it that way. Prior to that I'd been walking round with the poem Timothy Winters in my head "Old man Winters likes his beer/ And his missus ran off with a bombadier/ Grandma sits in the grate with a gin/ and Timothy's dosed with an aspirin." Sloppy language bothers me though. I probably do say, "Try and..." although it would come out as trine - as in, "I'm not sure, I'll trine find out for you." I'm pretty sure I wouldn't write it though. At least not in a formal letter. It's like should have sounding like should of - I'd never write should of but I could be accused of saying it. We run our words together here you see. I don't use the word got in conversation though. I say have. Also try my best never to confuse can and may. And get me and I correct. I'm a good girl I am.