Comments on: But you can’t hide the fact that we used to play naked Twister

By: Sipperana

Sipperana — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 11:50:09 +0000

For years I thought the lyric was “VIPS Central”, which would have made it the most esoteric lyrical reference in the HMHB canon, VIPS being a little-known and now obsolete piece of transport planning software originally developed by Volvo Buses in, yep, Sweden, hence the “I went off my swede” lyric. Bang goes that theory…

By: Bobby String

Bobby String — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 18:22:52 +0000

Yes, English footy commentators do struggle a bit with some of the overseas teams and players. Not like in the old days when the only names they had to juggle with were the likes of McIntyre, Treadmore and Davitt…

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By: Charles Exford

Charles Exford — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 14:50:45 +0000

All places best known in the UK for their footy teams in European competitions, so I think it’s more about how English footy commentators pronounce them.

By: Bobby String

Bobby String — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 12:33:59 +0000

As far as I can determine, Nigel’s pronunciation of Enschede is correct. However, he’s got Waragem wrong. Being in the Flemish-speaking area of Belgium, the ‘g’ in the middle would be pronounced like the ‘ch’ in ‘loch’, but since most English people can’t pronounce that either, Nigel has a good excuse.

And no, I don’t speak Flemish (though I have been to Belgium) but as it’s similar to Afrikaans and I now live in South Africa, I thought I’d look up the pronunciation to see if the Flemish also pronounce the ‘g’ that way, which they do except at the beginning of a word where it’s pronounced ‘x’ apparently!

http://www.phantomranch.net/folkdanc/alphabet/flemish.htm

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By: Roy

Roy — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 11:52:25 +0000

It’s about Enschede (NL), the home town of FC Twente, the 2010 Champions of the Netherlands

By: Attila the Brit

Attila the Brit — Thu, 20 May 2010 15:05:09 +0000

@Peter G: No, I was responding to Mr Larrington’s (a.k.a. the Mayor of somewhere or other in France!) post up thread. I’m fairly sure the song refers to the Dutch place which I would not hazard a guess as to how to pronounce…

Watching a few episodes of Wallander (not the luvvie darling version, I add) might help with the Swedish, but it’s filmed in Scania and the Swedish pronunciation there is as close to Stockholm’s as Essex’s is to Scots.

By: Peter Gandy

Peter Gandy — Mon, 17 May 2010 17:03:43 +0000

@Attila: Are you suggesting it’s an ordinary to Enskede (as in the suburb of Stockholm) rather than Enschede in the Netherlands?

I had pondered that possibility due to the references to Malmo and “you went off your swede…”, but ruled it out due to the title spelling.

By: Attila the Brit

Attila the Brit — Sat, 15 May 2010 20:44:57 +0000

Evenin’, Your Worship.

Enskede is not that tricky a one to pronounce, except for the “sk” sound, which we don’t have in English. It’s a very guttural sound, particularly in Stockholm. In other parts of Sweden, you’d get away with a “sh” sound. Stress is on the first syllable and 3 short “e” sounds. Sorry, I’ve no phonemic characters on this ‘ere ZX Spectrum. Get along to Bilston and I’ll sort you out…

By: Mr Larrington

Mr Larrington — Thu, 13 May 2010 11:12:20 +0000

According to a long-haired Dutchman of my slight acquaintance this is how one pronounces “Enschede”. Having as I do no sound capability on this ‘ere Babbage-Engine, I’d be grateful to anyone who does to confirm whether nb57 or Peelie has it right.

By: Chris The Siteowner

Chris The Siteowner — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 20:02:05 +0000

“Fib Central” is confirmed: Source