English as she is spoken .... at DVinfo.net

Philip Howells · July 20th, 2010, 03:29 AM

We participants in this forum know well how the vagaries of a common language can distort meanings but I’m sure we can all share the incongruity of a mis-spelling/typo we noticed on a recent wedding breakfast menu:

Between items headed “Starter” (vegetable soup) and “Main Course” (roast pork) came a Lemon Sorbet described as “Pallet Cleanser”.

We're one of the few video companies that don't expect the clients to feed us, but no doubt it was one of those water ices that take the skin off the roof of your mouth!

Nigel Barker · July 20th, 2010, 03:37 AM

While dining in Honfleur in Northern France I took the gourmet set menu & was intrigued that course 4 or 5 was a Trou Normande which translates as Norman Hole. It actually turned out to be a sorbet made from the local cider with a touch of Calvados the local apple brandy (which would probably clean your pallets up a treat).

Kees van Duijvenbode · July 20th, 2010, 04:45 AM

And I, as a dutch guy who speaks reasonabe english, dont understand a f ... what you are talking about.

Bill Engeler · July 20th, 2010, 05:34 AM

Kies - The correct term is palate cleanser. A pallet is the wood frame you load things onto, before shipping by truck (or should I say lorry).

Allan Black · July 20th, 2010, 05:39 AM

And it's not confined to the northern hemisphere. In the studio my dear old friend Ross H. used to fire up new clients with his wonderful warm up which included script lines like ..

'What's that on the road a head?'

And a beautiful but dumb voice actress who once blurted out ..'we can't start yet Anns not here'

Ann. was the live announcer. Gotta keep a straight face.
Cheers.

Vito DeFilippo · July 20th, 2010, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nigel Barker

While dining in Honfleur in Northern France I took the gourmet set menu & was intrigued that course 4 or 5 was a Trou Normande which translates as Norman Hole. It actually turned out to be a sorbet made from the local cider with a touch of Calvados the local apple brandy (which would probably clean your pallets up a treat).

Here in the spring, you go to the Cabane à Sucre (Sugar Shack) to eat maple syrup drenched food. One of my favourite desserts at that meal is 'Pets des soeurs', which means 'Nun's farts...'

Gotta love Quebec.

Philip Howells · July 21st, 2010, 02:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kees van Duijvenbode

And I, as a dutch guy who speaks reasonabe english, dont understand a f ... what you are talking about.

Kees, accept my apologies, I didn't mean the topic to be exclusive - though in fairness your command of the old German terms that we've absorbed into English seems quite adequate.

Best regards

Kees van Duijvenbode · July 21st, 2010, 04:31 AM

No worries, I was just wondering. Since Bill explained that it should be palate instead of pallet I understand the hilarity.

July 20th, 2010, 03:29 AM	#1
Philip Howells Trustee Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Manchester UK Posts: 1,212	English as she is spoken .... We participants in this forum know well how the vagaries of a common language can distort meanings but I’m sure we can all share the incongruity of a mis-spelling/typo we noticed on a recent wedding breakfast menu: Between items headed “Starter” (vegetable soup) and “Main Course” (roast pork) came a Lemon Sorbet described as “Pallet Cleanser”. We're one of the few video companies that don't expect the clients to feed us, but no doubt it was one of those water ices that take the skin off the roof of your mouth!

July 20th, 2010, 04:45 AM	#3
Kees van Duijvenbode Major Player Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Rotterdam, Netherlands Posts: 246	And I, as a dutch guy who speaks reasonabe english, dont understand a f ... what you are talking about. __________________ www.cvd-video.nl

July 20th, 2010, 05:39 AM	#5
Allan Black Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sydney. Posts: 2,924	And it's not confined to the northern hemisphere. In the studio my dear old friend Ross H. used to fire up new clients with his wonderful warm up which included script lines like .. 'What's that on the road a head?' And a beautiful but dumb voice actress who once blurted out ..'we can't start yet Anns not here' Ann. was the live announcer. Gotta keep a straight face. Cheers. __________________ Drink more tap water. On admission at Sydney hospitals more than 5% of day patients are de-hydrated.

July 21st, 2010, 04:31 AM	#8
Kees van Duijvenbode Major Player Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Rotterdam, Netherlands Posts: 246	No worries, I was just wondering. Since Bill explained that it should be palate instead of pallet I understand the hilarity. __________________ www.cvd-video.nl

July 20th, 2010, 03:37 AM	#2
Nigel Barker Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Norwich, Norfolk, UK Posts: 3,531	While dining in Honfleur in Northern France I took the gourmet set menu & was intrigued that course 4 or 5 was a Trou Normande which translates as Norman Hole. It actually turned out to be a sorbet made from the local cider with a touch of Calvados the local apple brandy (which would probably clean your pallets up a treat).

July 20th, 2010, 05:34 AM	#4
Bill Engeler Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Brussels, Belgium Posts: 162	Kies - The correct term is palate cleanser. A pallet is the wood frame you load things onto, before shipping by truck (or should I say lorry).