A quick question of pronunciation

[Catherine Lee]

Excellent point Ross - thanks so much for that... I also consulted Mr Google pronunciation and as Neville says, both are acceptable. However, I just wanted to make sure by asking a few Aussie mates as it is an Aussie poem. Thanks again everyone.

[Heather]

It's kilometres here.

[Neville Briggs]

When a person was moving very slowly and deliberately we used to say they were " inching along " It sort of sounds silly to say " centimetering along " , so I still say inching.


Slowly I turned
step by step
inch by inch
I walked up to him
and........... ( you have to be at least an early baby-boomer to know the rest )

[Shelley Hansen]

Remember the song "Inchworm" sung by Danny Kaye in the movie Hans Christian Anderson? (That's Baby Boomer stuff too, Neville!!)

Inchworm, inchworm
measuring the marigolds ...

I don't remember any more - but it doesn't flow quite as well if you replace it with metric ...

Two-point-five centimetre worm, two-point-five centimetre worm ...
or even
Twenty-five millimetre worm, twenty-five millimetre worm ...

Mmm.

[Neville Briggs]

anyone who doesn't remember Danny Kaye has missed a very special poetic actor.

[Bob Pacey]

What did she look like ?


Bob

[Shelley Hansen]

Pretty ugly for a sheila, Bob!!!!

[Neville Briggs]

Unlike the cardboard cut-outs of to-day's Hollywood, Danny Kaye was a man of real talent.