Pronounciation of words and names

[pinstripe]

Why is is that the name Menzies as in the SDP politician Menzies Campbell pronounced "Ming" when there is no logical phonetic reason?

[Quizmonster]

It's a Scottish name and Mingis just happens to be how it is correctly pronounced...hence the Ming for short In much the same way, the English name, Cholmondeley, is pronounced Chumley.

You might find the following amusing...

A lively young damsel named Menzies

Inquired: "Do you know what this thenzies?"

Her aunt, with a gasp

Replied: "It's a wasp,

And you're holding the end where the stenzies!"

[bernardo]

But he's not an SDP politician.