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how do you say 'gilet'. I've never known. I am reduced to calling them waistcoats or even bodywarmers...

26 replies

CaptainKarvol · 16/08/2008 14:23

I love those sleveless jackets. Ever since wearing Clothkits 'jerkins' as a child of the 70's. I always have outdoorsy ones made of fleece for keeping warm. But they have never been called 'jerkins' outside of Clothkits. And bodywarmers were padded '80's thingies. They appear to be called 'gilets'.

So, is it gil-et (hard g)
or jill-et
or jill-ay
or gill-ay?

Enlighten me, pleeese, before I make the same fool of myself as I do with other difficult words.

OP posts:
edam · 16/08/2008 14:26

I'd say jill-ay but no idea whether that's right - have never had cause to say it out loud. It looks vaguely French but then so does valet and that's pron. vall-it by yer actual aristocrats, I gather.

edam · 16/08/2008 14:27

It's not a J though, it's a French g in my head.

psychomum5 · 16/08/2008 14:30
pattymc · 16/08/2008 14:30

I pronounce it shgeee lay

CaptainKarvol · 16/08/2008 14:30

A french g might be beyond me (iggerant me did art instead at school)! I made this mistake with audax cycling years ago - tried a very french pronunciation but no, it's just as it is spelt. Clear x on the end. And facimile, and oh, countless other words. I read them for years then realise I can't actually say them

OP posts:
ThankCrunchyItsFriday · 16/08/2008 14:31

It is "Sjill-ay" I'm told!

Jojay · 16/08/2008 14:32

Gee - lay - with a french sounding shhggg type noise on the gee part.

cocolepew · 16/08/2008 14:35

I say gee-lay, but they're really body warmers.

CaptainKarvol · 16/08/2008 14:37

Ah, this shhggg noise, has anyone got any other words with it in, cos I have absoultely no idea what you are on about! (thank you all, btw!)

OP posts:
edam · 16/08/2008 14:40

Um, not apart from French words and that wouldn't really help you if you don't know how a French (soft) g sounds, would it?

Have you ever met a French bloke called Georges? If you kind of slurred the j in javelin to make it soft maybe that would sound similar...

jura · 16/08/2008 14:41

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

CaptainKarvol · 16/08/2008 14:48

hmm, think I'm getting it... Even though I do say 'garridge'

OP posts:
trefusis · 16/08/2008 14:49

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psychomum5 · 16/08/2008 14:56
RubyRioja · 16/08/2008 15:18

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jura · 16/08/2008 16:32

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dropinthe · 16/08/2008 16:38

Jilay-with a slight SH and G sound to the J!!!

dropinthe · 16/08/2008 16:39

How to pronounce Buffet???? I say say Buffae-my Mum say Booffae-really annoys me!!!!

themoon66 · 16/08/2008 16:43

I've always called it a Gil-et - rhymes with Kill-it.

But then I AM northern and no nowt about poncy stuff.

Tortington · 16/08/2008 16:57

zshee lay

smugmumofboys · 16/08/2008 17:06

It's zhee-lay.

trefusis · 16/08/2008 18:36

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CouldYouWouldYouWithaGoat · 16/08/2008 18:40

i pronounce it 'pointless garment, if it is that cold wear a coat and if you get too hot take it off'

Podrick · 16/08/2008 18:42

Gi - lay
the Gi as in Gigi

Mercy · 16/08/2008 18:47

Ah, but I have heard Gigi pronounced with 2 hard g sounds!

Gig geee (bit like giggly)

I've also heard Australasians (dh included) pronounce canape/s in an interesting way.