The great British scone debate, a controversy as heated as the ovens that bake them, has a new authoritative voice. Britain's foremost etiquette expert has stepped in to deliver his verdict on the correct pronunciation of the divisive word.
The Etiquette Expert's Definitive Ruling
William Hanson, the acclaimed author of 'Just Good Manners: A Quintessential Guide To Courtesy, Charm, Grace And Decorum', left no room for doubt in a recent online video. When asked to clear up the confusion, the 36-year-old expert immediately pronounced the word to rhyme with 'gone'.
He suggested that some people opt for the pronunciation that rhymes with 'bone' or 'cone' because it sounds more refined. "I think people say scone like bone or cone because it sounds posher," Hanson stated. However, he firmly stood by his 'gone' pronunciation as the correct one.
A Royal Twist in the Tale
Mr Hanson did acknowledge a fascinating historical complication that gives credence to the other side of the argument. He pointed out the Palace of Scone in Scotland, a site of ancient royal coronations. The palace's name is pronounced to rhyme with 'moon'.
"Although there is an argument that they have origins at the Palace of Scone in Scotland. So, there is an argument that nobody is correct," he conceded. Joking about the inconsistency, he added, "We should say 'scoones', but you sound like a loon if you say that. So, no, it's scone, 'cause once it's scone it's gone."
Public Reaction and Expert Disagreement
The video, created by LadBible, quickly gained traction, amassing over 33,000 views and hundreds of comments. One supporter invoked baking royalty, writing: "Mary Berry says 'scone' as in 'gone'. Nothing more needs to be said."
In a notable endorsement, the official social media account for the historic Scone Palace in Perthshire replied: "We approve! Have a Scone at 'Skoon' (correct pronunciation) Palace!"
However, not all language authorities agree with Hanson's definitive stance. Susie Dent, the renowned lexicographer from Channel 4's Countdown, represents a more inclusive view. She asserts that both pronunciations are correct, a position supported by the Oxford English Dictionary's acceptance of either form.
While Hanson may have settled the pronunciation for his followers, he wisely avoided wading into the even more contentious cream tea debate: whether the jam or the clotted cream should be applied first. That argument, it seems, remains forever baked in British controversy.
