Starbucks gaffe
As usual, I went to Starbucks this morning to satisfy my coffee/crack addiction. (I’m not sure which it is, because I think it’s the crack that Starbucks puts in their coffee that keeps me coming back—certainly it’s not the quality of the beans.) Anyhow, the lady after me in line ordered with her coffee not a scone, but a sconce.
Such are the little things that keep me motivated in life.
March 16th, 2005 at 10:55 am
Maybe she said “scon” and not “sconce.” The correct pronunciation is actually “scon” and not “scone.” Don’t mean to sound like a smart-ass, but my English husband makes fun of me when I order a “scone” and not a “scon”; but I feel pretentious when I say “scon.”
March 16th, 2005 at 11:25 am
Well, I’ll be damned. It can be pronounced “scaaaahn.” Check out this definition, complete with a sweet picture, and you’ll see that skŏn is the second pronunciation listed.
However, the primary pronunciation is skōn, as demonstrated in the sound file on the page.
March 18th, 2005 at 10:20 am
Sorry! What I meant to say was the British say “scon”, while we Yanks say “scone”. She was probably trying to show how “well-travelled” she was in using the British pronunciation. Maybe she was standing in a “queue” instead of a line as well? ;)
March 18th, 2005 at 10:59 am
In that hotbed of Britculture, Starbucks. :) hehe
March 18th, 2005 at 2:57 pm
Sorry to go on about this; but in a similar vein, I heard some “verbal misfirings” myself this week…from “lofty” Ph.D’s!
They all happened in one day as well. I heard some gems like “fine tooth and comb”, “irregardless”, and “organtic.”
Thought you would enjoy….
March 18th, 2005 at 3:09 pm
I can understand “fine tooth and comb,” I suppose. Reminds me of the myriad folks who think it’s “I could care less.” Well, if you could care less, then you care some!
Anyway, I don’t what to think of “organtic.” “Irregardless?” That’s inexcusable.
March 27th, 2005 at 6:38 pm
a sconce is a candleholder you put on the wall. maybe starbucks has started to sell those?!?
February 17th, 2006 at 9:45 am
Jennifer:
We actually say “scone” and “scon” in the UK. The better educated saying the former, more common being the latter.
There is somewhat of a north/south divide over the pronounciation so I can only guess that your husband is using his “I am english” status to correct you - when this issue is still up for debate.
March 28th, 2006 at 3:08 am
Oh I definately agree, I tend to look down on those vulgar heathens who pronounce it scone like gone! Definately must rhyme with cone or bone!
October 13th, 2006 at 4:27 am
Scon is common and Scone is better educated? that’s nonsense!! Scones originate from scotland and the majority of scottish people say scon, so I would think that Scon is the correct pronunciation, common or not. That being said, Bath is a common word, and some of the “Better educated” people call it a Barth.
We had a big dsicpute over the town of Bury not so long ago because some people think its pronounced Berry! utter nonsense.
I’m sure the queen calls it a scone, but I think that proves nothing!!!
November 17th, 2007 at 9:44 pm
Okay, let’s throw some dirt in the pudding. Sarah Daniels’ play “Ripen Our Darkness” is set in England. In Scene 10 Julie is receiving a call announcing that her drunken scoundrel father has choked on food and died.
She says, “Oh, was it a scone or a scon?”
I dunno, maybe she’s picking at her sis’s pronunciation.
February 13th, 2008 at 1:08 pm
I heard some “verbal misfirings” myself this week…from “lofty” Ph.D’s!
They all happened in one day as well. I heard some gems like “fine tooth and comb”, “irregardless”, and “organtic.”
University of Phoenix Ph.D’s, no doubt.
February 14th, 2008 at 11:11 am
The Polish people /Polish race is the best in the World. In Chicago The Polish people make the life worth living there. The rest of Chicago citizens can fuck off. The poles are the greatest. Long live the Polish people. Why are Poles soo good? They are Gods chosen people.