The Virtual Gigolo

Take the word fillet, how does one pronounce that? In the US people will say fil-lay, over here we would tend to say fil-let. I’ve heard people say it has to be fil-lay because it’s from the French. The point they miss though is that it isn’t directly. The french word, which is pronounced more like fil-lay is “filet”, not “fillet”. The second l clearly tends towards a more English pronunciation, fil-let. This is my conclusion on that issue, not that it matters.

On the subject of valet, on the other hand, the opposite applies. Pronunciations either side of the pond are the same, on this side we tend to say “val-let”. This one is more directly from the French, without the addition of an extra l, maybe in future that l will be added if we continue to pronounce it “val-let”, but as things stand it is apparent that val-lay is a more accurate pronunciation. Additionally “to val-let” sounds ok, but “a val-let” really doesn’t… do you want a val-let assisting with your clothes? It seems doubtful.

Maybe I will say fil-let and val-lay in future, we shall see.

Don’t get me wrong, I understand the sentiments of someone who says they are going to pray for you, but this Tsunami has really pushed the limits. If some little child is found in rubble… It’s a miracle, God is wonderful! It’s because we prayed for them to be saved, of course. Screw the fact that the disaster happened in the first place, and of course an all-powerful God could have stopped it.

Worse even than that is some comments on a Christian discussion board suggesting that this happened because people in those areas aren’t Christian enough! Turning it around to suggest that this is punishment for their being Muslim or Buddist. So much for love thy neighbour…