Re: most looked-up words

On 7 Dec 2004, at 5.43 pm, Thomas R. Wier wrote:

>> Also, ten points to anyone who can tell me what a 'kudo' is.
>
> _kudo_ [k_hudo/@u] is a backformation from _kudos_ [k_hudo/@uz](pl.),
> which is itself a reanalysis of Greek _kudos_ [ku:dOs] 'glory', which
> is usually said to originate in British schoolboy slang.
Thanks to all who answered this question. I'd never've worked it out
myself; I'm familiar with _kudos_ (but not Greek) and have always
pronounced it and (almost) always hear it /kju:dOs/ so the
backformation is totally unintuitive.

As for 'gyros', I think it's normally pronounced /suvla:ki/ hereabouts
(and spelt 'souvlaki'), based on the description. Usually acquired from
fish-and-chips shops.

--
Tristan.

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