The argument's been had before - i remember FJ, ita and I discussing it on TT - but the problem is not that Scone can't be pronounced to rhyme with bone, but that that pronounciation doesn't gel with Giles' accent. I don't know the rules precisely, but i do know that RP in (what Giles {&I} talks a variant of) scone rhymes with gone.

English 2 American

BTW ... does anyone else know the proper ingredients for scones? :)

Is that a serious question, jimi? I have pretty good recipes for normal scones and cheese scones at home, which I can post or email as required.

Normal scones should, of course, be eaten with cream and strawberry jam. I prefer to spread the cream on like butter and put the jam on top, but like the pronunciation that's another point of contention in the scone world.

It's a serious question. I have my Mum's recipe for scones and I regularly make plain and sultana scones but the recipe isn't a proper traditional recipe. Ain't no fucking way I'll eat one of those suckers!

t Obligatory The real cultural difference is in the foods t /Obligatory

Fiona! Did you see my post about how much fun we had with just the first time we got to use your tapes? In case you didn't, it's here.

Oh, and the 'we' in that sentence doesn't mean I suddenly crowned myself or anything, just that I watched "Serenity" with 3 friends, and all of us very much liked it.

I didn't see your post, thanks for linking, Nilly. I haven't been in the Ff threads because I still haven't seen it. Glad you all enjoyed it!

Um, jimi, what do you mean by a "proper traditional" recipe? I have a recipe and it makes good scones, but I've no idea whether it's traditional or not, so it could be the same as your mum's.

Ahh, our Prime Minister. Giving millions of aussies justification for their cultural cringe..

Prime Minister John Howard has aligned himself with the Vatican and US President George W Bush in ruling out gay marriages, saying they do nothing to support "survival of the species".

jimi, the one I use is

250g s/raising flour

1/2 tsp salt

30-60g butter

approx 150ml milk

beaten egg or milk

preheat oven to very hot. Sift the flour and salt into a mixing bowl. Rub in the butter with the fingertips until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. For sweet scones, add 2 tablespoons of castor sugar at this stage. Add enough milk to make a soft, but not sticky, dough, mixing with a knife. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and roll out lightly to 1/2inch (1cm) thickness. Cut into squares with a floured knife or into rounds with a floured biscuit cutter. Arrange on a floured oven tray and brush with egg or milk. Bake in the hottest part of the oven for 10-12 minutes, or until well risen and golden.

TIPS.

1.The sifting and rubbing can be done with a few pulses of a food processor but don't over process and take it out of the processor before you add the milk.

2.Place cut-out scones around the outside of your tray (where it is the hottest) and fairly close together as they'll support each other as they rise/bake.

(cereal)

Hi Plasmo, have you heard about the prime miniature's son going to the White House as an intern?