Alan Medic

Hey Zeban,you still haven't said why it's ok for the Irish to pronounce it haitch!

From what I've heard only 5% on the seats at any event are for IOC hangers on. The rest of the empty seats is from the corporate sector who were sold tickets on the understanding that they would be used. London 2012 does not want to be remembered for empty seats at events and I hope the organisers are very proactive in ensuring people get in to events if seats are available. If they are paid for and not used, let people in for free. Having said that, the Olympics for me is really about track and field events and I'm sure the stadium will be pretty full most of the time when they start.

Does 'Or supper' constitute a sentence?

Surely you can work out if you sell something that isn't what it's supposed to be it is illegal where ever you try and sell it? If you describe something as fake then why wouldn't you be able to sell it?

Well I thought it was a good quote. Don't you?

In Summer the nicest time is daybreak.

I didn't know which one was correct. It's funny, when you don't know any better you don't understand why other people might get hung up on something so 'petty'. On the other hand I hear so many people in this country say 'we was' which I am hung up about. Bottom line is, there is a little genie inside one of the bottles inside us and he's called 'judgemental'. He likes to get out. When he does, he will tell you you are right and you should feel good about that, but actually his sole purpose is to make you feel miserable. PS Zeban, what's so ok about it being alright if you are Irish?

Thanks for the idea's guys. You must be pleased your daughter reads so much, Ondine.

Ah, I think we may even have one of those at home. Was 'The The Golden Compass' movie based on those books?

I have to say I can't remember what it was like to be a 12 year old boy never mind a girl. I went through a stage of reading Famous Five and Secret Seven and stumbled across some of my Dad's old books of Still William (as I called them) which I thought were brilliant. I loved the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings but I think I was a bit older. I remember reading the Narnia books too but I don't know at what age. I guess I'm looking for something contemporary and considered 'cool'. Anyone got a 12 year old who reads?

Yes, the letter and how to pronounce it. On a recent venture into the Family Room I noticed this came up for discussion as someone was horrified how little Jonny was pronouncing it. As someone from a foreign land who took years learning how to pronounce anything with 'th' in it I was very interested, especially as if I have to spell my name to someone on the telephone as my surname includes the letter. Medic isn't my real name btw. So I looked it up as I'm pretty sure my pronunciation of it depends on which side of the bed I get out of. I found this interesting (for me) article having done a search and came across this: Aitch vs Haitch British English dictionaries give aytch as the standard pronunciation for the letter H. However, the pronunciation haytch is also attested as a legitimate variant. We also do not ask broadcasters who naturally say haytch to change their pronunciation but if a broadcaster contacted to ask us, we would tell them that aytch is regarded as the standard pronunciation in British English, people can feel very strongly about this and this pronunciation is less likely to attract audience complaints. Haytch is a standard pronunciation in Irish English and is increasingly being used by native English-speaking people all across the country, irrespective of geographical provenance or social standing. Polls have shown that the uptake of haytch by younger native speakers is on the rise. Schoolchildren repeatedly being told not to drop Hs may cause them to hyper-correct and insert them where they don't exist. Jo Kim BBC Pronunciation Unit My question is to the good people of the EDF, why is the Irish English version now being used to this extent? You all must be mortified.

Well it's not my country so I guess not. I'm just a visitor to this planet.

Ms B Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Today I have entered week 4 of the summer cold. > Took about four hours to progress from bed to sofa > to shower to clothes today. About to go out and > look for cough mixture. I blame the underwear Ms.B. It's the underwear. Proper underwear would have protected you from this type of thing I'm sure.

As you probably know the FA have charged Terry. Don't like him, so good. However, how can they punish him for something the law of land found him not guilty of? It seems their laws allow for more elbo room in matters like this. Strange situation given you would think the FA would want to be finally rid of this story. I can only guess that maybe the PFA or another lobby looking after the interests of black players have exerted some influence on the FA. I think it should have been dealt with by the FA in the first place but because some off duty police officer (I think) made a complaint it came into the realms of being a police matter. What a waste of taxpayers money.

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll read up on them.

Jeremy Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Alan Medic Wrote: > ------------------------------------------------ > > What made you cringe Jeremy? He is a disgrace > for > > doing what? > > I already said, the Rowan Atkinson section made me > cringe. It was just awful. > > The disgraceful part is the fact that he has > previously done some fairly witty comedy, but has > chosen to dumb down. And this crap is put on > display as representative of our country. I know what section made you cringe. I can read. I wondered what was it about it made you cringe. You've answered and I totally disagree with you. The ability not to take oneself too seriously is a great trait,which the Brits have in spades. That was hardly dumbing down for Mr.Bean. He's always like that anytime I've watched him. What made it really funny was that it was so unexpected in what appeared to be a serious piece of orchestral music.

"I've heard staff at my sons nursery using 'aks too and it horrifies me. I've also heard staff saying 'we was...' and ' you was...' I wouldn't mind so much but we are paying a fortune for him to attend and he's being supervised by people who don't talk proper...like!" Extracted from a rare venture into the Family Room.

Thanks for the suggestion WOD but they must be a bit old hat now? She has good English but it's a case of keeping it on the boil as it were. I wonder do any girls read any more with so many other things to do.

Sorry admin for posting this in two places. Folks, I've been asked to get a book for my 12 year old niece who has lived in France since she was 4. It's to help her keep up with English as she uses it less and less, but it got be something that's, to quote, 'cool' for a girl of her age. Any ideas please?

Good idea Zeban. Foxy.......shame on ya.

I've been asked to get a book for my niece who has lived in France since she was about 4. Something that's 'cool' and helps her maintain her less and less used English. Any suggestions please?

East Dulwich resident complains about children making noise.

What made you cringe Jeremy? He is a disgrace for doing what?

Why don't you try and change your sleeping habits Sue? Early to bed, early to rise!

Left hand or right hand?