To want people to know the difference between discrete and discreet?

[Tworingsandamicrowave]

Have noticed it a few times recently, when 'discrete' has been used in the wrong context and it makes me cross.

I thought that too, but have heard ser-VY-kal used for both.

On aural and oral in music exams I have come across some music teachers including my own who pronounce the "aural" (the listening) tests as "ow" "rul". That does always sound a bit old fashioned to me but it helps people to know the difference between aural and oral. Aural does indeed seem to have the same root as auditory, listening etc etc.

Although I've never understood why "cervical" is pronounced "ser-VY-kal" instead of "SER-vi-kal"

I've always pronounced it the second way and so have most people I know. If you think that sounds wrong, think about how you pronounce the relevant part of the body.

Aural presumably has the same root as auditory, which is definitely pronounced with an oh and not an ow. I suspect the ow pronunciation for aural came about from people trying to distinguish it from oral

Most likely the other way around. The original pronunciation of aural will have been ow, from the Latin, but the French (possibly the origin of the word in English?) will pronounce it oh.

I thought the different pronunciations of cervical depended on whether you were talking about spines or fannys

Some hefty bullshitting about word origins and pronunciations here!

yup, its also important to know which cervical bits you are looking for
otherwise its a pein in the neck....

Emma - patronising much? Perhaps if YOU think about it, you will understand why I don't understand why the pronunciation ser-VY-kal comes from the word cervix.

YOU may never have heard it pronounced "ser-VY-kal" but it frequently is. Including on Radio 4 programmes.

Thank you mumsnet ,
I am being treated for breast cancer.after finding a discrete lump .
I am only now realising the doctor didn't mean a discreet lump !
Now I get it 👍

Amelie10 I wonder if you would call me a thick idiot to my face because of my learning disability? I spell those words wrong all the time, not because I'm an idiot, because I'm dyslexic. That ok with you? I say it all the time on these threads, you make people like me feel like shit! I make nearly all the spelling and grammar mistakes being talked about here. I'm a very intelligent person. Shit like this just makes me embarrassed about posting on MN knowing there are fucking twats judging you and thinking your a 'thick idiot' because of spelling and grammar mistakes that u have no control over. If your all so bloody intelligent just stop and think for a minute that there are reasons why people are the way they are. judgementalupyourownarsewankers

It's a lump that will never tell your secrets Deb

Presently and currently used to annoy me but I've given up correcting it in letters produced by junior staff.

I was taught that "presently" means "in a short time, soon," as in I will be with you presently and currently means at this time as in Theresa May is currently the PM

There is no consistency about the use of presently. It seems to go through phases of being acceptable or unacceptable as being synonymous with currently ; currently it is acceptable. I still avoid using it if I mean now or currently.

I've left a group where everyone posts 'receipts'
I knew this one might be correct- they might be a group of fans of 18th and 19th century English literature.

Desolatewaist
😀