Speaking 'properly'

[Mary Ann]

Karen wrote:

> The one American way of pronouncing all the letters that really 
> makes me cringe is calling Worcestershire Sauce 
> "Wor-sester-shier Sauce" as opposed to  
> "Woo-ster-sheer sauce".

I'm Canadian and lived in England for 9 years, and even after that 
time my pronouciation was never up to local standards (and I lived 
in the West Country...Movie!Hagrid, anyone?).  The whole time I was 
there I'd mispronounce local places and provided continual glee with 
my pronounciation of "yoghurt".  (Why that word in particular?  Not 
a clue).  To get my own back I'd tell everyone I was from "Teronna", 
and as they looked at me in a clueless manner I'd spell 
out "Toronto" for them very slowly.  Childish, but fun 
nonetheless. ;)

The (North) American way of pronouncing all the letters as you 
mentioned, Karen, is a great way for me to drive my British ex 
insane when he comes to visit the kids.  I can make him cringe 
simply by pronouncing the local sidestreet Berkshire Lane "Burk-
shire" instead of "Bark-sheer".  Ah, revenge is sweet. :D

Mary Ann, who still hasn't forgiven her West Country friends for 
banning her from singing "I've Got a Brand-New Combine Harvester" 
with them because her accent was unacceptable