tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7690110675685389513.post5111972146265217114..comments2024-03-27T21:54:06.467-07:00Comments on Wordlady: Of valets and varletsKatherine Barberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06775090067364948963noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7690110675685389513.post-81513927764939175182020-11-03T06:56:57.772-08:002020-11-03T06:56:57.772-08:00I don't know what Oxford dictionary you are lo...I don't know what Oxford dictionary you are looking at but vallit is given first here, as well as in Aus and NZ Oxford dics https://www.lexico.com/definition/valetKatherine Barberhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06775090067364948963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7690110675685389513.post-20138694495411481132020-11-01T21:28:33.494-08:002020-11-01T21:28:33.494-08:00Actually, according to both the Cambridge and Oxfo...Actually, according to both the Cambridge and Oxford dictionaries, the standard RP pronunciation is 'valay'. Do the upper classes pronounce it differently?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17398967395798740608noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7690110675685389513.post-42929284000364389282016-03-30T11:40:01.094-07:002016-03-30T11:40:01.094-07:00"the French pronunciation is usually preferre..."the French pronunciation is usually preferred, especially in contexts implying prestige." Hence the ridiculous use of ENTREE in American menus to mean the MAIN course, while Quebec it is more sensibly used for the appetizer. Also saute rather than plain old fry, haricots verts instead of simple green beans etc in cooking.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02599793202715824228noreply@blogger.com