so some (or all?) English peoples pronounce "fillet" as "fill-it" instead of the French "fill-ay." so which way is filet mignon pronounced?
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FILLET
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Snorrimon wrote: fil-eh min-yon...
Yup. That's the size of it.
Not sure what this thread's about? Fil-let is an Engerlish word and filet mignon is a French phrase which has leaked into the English language. In fact, in written English, I think it should be italicised to show that it's retained its French origins and pronunciation.
See also: pièce de résistance, chateaubriand, chaise longue, haute cuisine etc, et cetera.
Old Blue wrote: Now if we could just teach the Americans to pronounce Van Gogh.
Tomato would be a start! 
And, don't get me started on aluminium.
El Jarvo wrote: See also: pièce de résistance, chateaubriand, chaise longue, haute cuisine etc, et cetera.
Oooooh, get you... 
Snorri xxx
El Jarvo wrote:
Old Blue wrote: Now if we could just teach the Americans to pronounce Van Gogh.
Tomato would be a start!
And, don't get me started on aluminium.
Lest we forget,Oregano.
In answer to the original question...Our chippy calls them,Fish bites.Though Steak medallions is probably nearer the mark.
I work for a company called Astrium, however when I go to The States it somehow becomes ay-stree-em 
I don't rally care as long as I can understand what is meant. the only thing I have problems with is Rockmelons. It took me ages to figure out what that cantaloupe, yes I had to look it up again, in that Seinfeld episode was all about. Then again I hate Rockmelons, so it isn't really a problem.
Boatraceface wrote:
El Jarvo wrote:
Old Blue wrote: Now if we could just teach the Americans to pronounce Van Gogh.
Tomato would be a start!
And, don't get me started on aluminium.
Lest we forget,Oregano.
Got to start with the basics though... Herbs
I think that I can give an answer - taking in account that I used to teach French abroad.
First of all, FILLET is not a French word. So filet is the correct form. As there is only one -l, this is pronouced as easy as it seems /filé/.
What made me open this thread ? I wanted to know if we were talking about filet or fillette. Note that a pervert often needs a filet to catch a fillette, but that's another story. I also thought of Fillon, our pathetic Prime, but who the hell knows him except the happy few here who remember he is Prime...
So, we already know that fillet is not a French word. If you want to say a little girl, then you say fillette /fiyet/ : Fille + ette.
Now, the £40 question I have no answer so far. Many students used to ask me this : Why fille /fiye/ and then ville /vil/ ?
Just cannot tell...
El Jarvo wrote: See also: pièce de résistance, chateaubriand, chaise longue, haute cuisine etc, et cetera.
Félicitations ! I thought a Viking only had a few words of vocabulary like kill, rape, drink, pint of beer, boat and a few more - including New Order gig.
So El Jarvo, can we let us think that you are a gentleman Viking ?
Jiphy wrote:
Now, the £40 question I have no answer so far. Many students used to ask me this : Why fille /fiye/ and then ville /vil/ ?
Just cannot tell...
We have a similar problem in English with baseline & vaseline. Radically different pronounciation when only one letter has changed.
Old Blue wrote: We have a similar problem in English with baseline & vaseline. Radically different pronounciation when only one letter has changed.
Vaseline is a brand name, an American one. Maybe a beginning of explanation ?
