Now some people might not consider this to be a serious topic of debate but, for those who do, I feel it is an essential point which needs to be resolved and I have the most logical to the age old question.
And what is this question? I hear you ask. Well it is quite simple - there are a type of cake called scones which have two very unique ways of pronounciation (the majority of people saying it s-con-s and the minority saying it s-cone-s)
Now in this case I feel that the spelling is perfectly phonetic and those minority (who are often persecuted as being 'too posh' in their way of addressing the cake) are actually right.
The logic behind my answer is quite simple: break the word down and you will see:
SCONE :pronounciation optional
S : everyone says this letter the same way
CONE : there is only one way to say this word
CON : there is also only one way to say this word..... BUT there is still an E on the end, meaning that this needs to be factored into the way we say this word - therefore it is incorrect. as we do not have silent E's in the English language (at least none that spring to mind)
So there you go, I have helped settle an age old debate by good old fashioned common sense.
I hope to do something more productive soon, to help enrich the lives of you all.
N.B. Sorry to all those of you who are upset that you have been saying the word wrong all these years, but at least you no longer have to, thanks to me. At least we ALL enjoy their delicious taste, with a bice side of jam and cream - so that is the happy ending to this tale.
Originally posted by TyrannosauruschexIt ain't settled until User 147514 says it is.
So there you go, I have helped settle an age old debate by good old fashioned common sense.
BBC newsreaders' guide: scone- skon (although skohn is equally commonly used)
Wikipedia According to one academic study, two-thirds of the British population pronounce it /ˈskɒn/, rhyming with "con" and "John", with the preference rising to 99% in the Scottish population. The rest pronounce it /ˈskoʊn/, rhyming with "cone" and "Joan". British dictionaries usually show the "con" form as the preferred pronunciation, while recognizing that the "cone" form also exists.
Many unofficial sources, most of which say either that it's a class thing or a regional thing.
Couldn't find a good American source so you guys will have to make up your own minds.
A serious student of English language might consider the pronunciation of CONE and GONE as guides, and conclude that it's "6 of one and half-a-dozen of the other". 🙂
Originally posted by TyrannosauruschexOf course there are many many silent E's in English. How do you say 'love' or 'dove'? They are very much officially considered as silent E.
CON : there is also only one way to say this word..... BUT there is still an E on the end, meaning that this needs to be factored into the way we say this word - therefore it is incorrect. as we do not have silent E's in the English language (at least none that spring to mind)
Originally posted by KewpieWould that be a baker's dozen?
BBC newsreaders' guide: scone- skon (although skohn is equally commonly used)
Wikipedia According to one academic study, two-thirds of the British population pronounce it /ˈskɒn/, rhyming with "con" and "John", with the preference rising to 99% in the Scottish population. The rest pronounce it /ˈskoʊn/, rhyming with "cone" a ...[text shortened]... s guides, and conclude that it's "6 of one and half-a-dozen of the other". 🙂
Originally posted by jimslyp69Nope. A Baker's dozen is 13.. (they always cooked one extra incase!)
Would that be a baker's dozen?
6 of one and 1/2 dozen of the other is still a dozen. It just means the two things we are talking about are practically the same, and therefore we are splitting hairs! 😉
Originally posted by TyrannosauruschexI get scones at the local bakery. The remind me of a cookie, and a cake all in one. Very good.
Now some people might not consider this to be a serious topic of debate but, for those who do, I feel it is an essential point which needs to be resolved and I have the most logical to the age old question.
And what is this question? I hear you ask. Well it is quite simple - there are a type of cake called scones which have two very unique ways ...[text shortened]... elicious taste, with a bice side of jam and cream - so that is the happy ending to this tale.
Imagine you are in the heart of the English countryside on a hot summer’s day. You see a cosy little tea rooms with rose bushes up the side of the wall and can hear the casual chatter of folk out the back. You wander in and see on the menu "English cream tea with scones, thick clotted cream and homemade strawberry jam". you decide to order: "I'll have the scOne cream tea please".
You see its scOne - as in cone. Try ordering it as scon -- it's simply not right is it.