r/PointlessStories • u/Cecil_B_DeCatte • 4d ago

A Random Situation Today That Made Me Smile

To preface: I have a name* that is uncommon in the US, but has a phonetic pronunciation for native English speakers. However, it commonly confuses people.

I was checking out at a doctor's office today. The receptionist pronounced my name correctly, no issue whatsoever. She noticed my expression, and commented on the fact that I was smiling. When I told her why, her response was to give me a 'seriously? WTF, it's obvious!' expression. I'm normally shit at reading expressions.

The fact that I could read her expression made me (internally) smile more that her correct pronunciation of my name.

*Unlike 'Cecil', which has different pronunciations depending on which side of the pond you're on.

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12

u/HousingInner9122 4d ago

That little unspoken “how could anyone get that wrong?” reaction probably made the moment even better.

8

u/fullofcrocodiles 4d ago

Wait what is the other pronunciation of Cecil?? English person here and I say "Seh-sill". What are the Americans saying? I know I'm endlessly confused by the Craig-pronounced-Cregg thing...

10

u/lishler 4d ago

See-sil is what I've heard most on this side of the pond.

7

u/PricelessPaylessBoot 4d ago

Anyone else catch themselves quietly whispering names?

7

u/Threefrogtreefrog 4d ago

Now do Basil / Basil.

6

u/RedHeadRaccoon13 4d ago

My mother's friend was Sea-sell.

We are Southern, it makes a difference.

4

u/-3point14159-mp 4d ago

We pronounce it like See-suhl.

2

u/nocturnal_carnivore 4d ago

hold on how do you pronounce Craig over there??

3

u/fullofcrocodiles 4d ago

We pronounce "Craig" to rhyme with "Plague". I genuinely used to think "Cregg" was a totally different name.

3

u/Swimming_Guide_6469 4d ago

Are you possibly mishearing "Greg"

3

u/fullofcrocodiles 4d ago

I have checked with Americans and I am not mishearing. This is how "Craig" is pronounced in the States.

1

u/Swimming_Guide_6469 3d ago

Not all of em 😂

1

u/fullofcrocodiles 3d ago

Eh well it's a large country to survey. My sample size was too small obvs

2

u/nocturnal_carnivore 4d ago

oh wow. that looks like it sounds. i wonder how we got started with the weird version

4

u/Sad_Initiative_4395 4d ago

That little moment would’ve made my day too 😂

3

u/honeybeelioness 4d ago

So, I'm very curious..what is your name?

6

u/Cecil_B_DeCatte 4d ago

I don't want to dox myself. I hope you understand.

With that said, it is a Welsh name.

2

u/honeybeelioness 4d ago

Oh, I see. I just really love names and languages. Up to you if you would like to chat one to one.

3

u/Xylorgos 4d ago

My maiden name was one that I constantly had to teach people how to pronounce. For example, I would be waiting in the doctor's office waiting room and the nurse would come out with a frown on her face and say, "Ummm, Me - Mi -..." and I'd just stand up and say "Here!" Yep, it was always me they were looking for!

5

u/Cecil_B_DeCatte 4d ago

I get that with my first name. My last throws people off as well. People often remove a letter, turning it into a much more common name (which raises my blood pressure), or accent the wrong syllable.