Author: joepastry
Who knew?
…that a little thing like the pronunciation of the word “scone” would generate so much email! Since yesterday, people all across the anglosphere (though also from places like Greece and Taiwan) have weighed in on the issue. Most have expressed utter disbelief that there’s any way to pronounce “scone” other than as rhyming with “gone”. […]
READ ONFrom the halls of academia…
Brownyn from New Zealand submits this from Wikipedia: “The pronunciation of the word across the United Kingdom varies. According to one academic study, nearly two thirds of the British population and 99% of the Scottish population pronounce it as /skɒn/, to rhyme with “con” and “John.” The rest pronounce it /skəʊn/, to rhyme with “cone” […]
READ ONGinger Scone Recipe
This is probably my favorite scone recipe. The ginger adds what I think is the perfect zing and textural contrast. 3/4 cup heavy cream, plus extra for the tops 12 ounces unbleached all-purpose flour 2.5 ounces sugar pinch salt 1 tablespoon baking powder 1 teaspoon finely chopped lemon zest 6 ounces unsalted butter, cut into […]
READ ONOn the advantages of a drawl.
Reader Diane says: I am from Texas so I pronounce “bone” and “gone” (and scone) exactly the same.
READ ONA scone by any other name…will still bust the diet you’re on.
So what are the “national styles” of scones?. For the Brits (and I’m generalizing greatly) a scone is not unlike what we Americans call a biscuit: a fairly small and round baked item, slightly moist, slightly sweet, rich and flaky. Like a biscuit they’re usually split before they’re eaten, often slathered with jam. The British […]
READ ONI stand corrected.
Several New Zealanders chimed in overnight to tell me that in their part of the world “scone” is indeed pronounced as that which rhymes with “gone”. Reader Bronwyn (I love that name) says: Actually, scone rhymes with gone in a great deal of the English speaking part of the world. I.e., New Zealand and Australia, […]
READ ONJust what is a “scone” anyway?
If you’re a Scotsman, you pronounce “scone” as that which rhymes with “gone”, not “bone” as most of the rest of the English-speaking world does. Does that really matter? Well yes, because scones are Scottish breads. Originally they were made from either ground oats or barley (definitive Scottish grains), though very few people eat them […]
READ ONRequest #8: Scones
Let’s face it, the scone is a British staple that’s been horribly abused in the America. Go to a chain bake shop, ask for a scone, and you’ll likely be handed a giant, thick-as-a-brick wedge of flour and (probably) shortening. Most often, they’re crumbly, dry and almost totally flavorless. No wonder Americans, by and large, […]
READ ON“Dirt” Pudding?
I’d heard of it before, but until last night, when some friends dropped by for dinner, I’d never tasted any. For those of you who don’t know what it is, it’s one of those (very American) concoctions of pre-made storebought…stuff! In this case Oreo cookies combined with a whipped topping of some sort, blended with […]
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