Every so often, people try to say my name and most of the time they get it wrong. It’s not a common name, but it’s one that’s been in the family for, well, I don’t know how long.
The name is more common in the U.K., where some of my family came from in the 1600s. And I suppose most of you that heard the name — before you heard of me, at least — heard of it from U.K. entertainment channels. Actor Basil Rathbone — no relation — was famous for playing Sherlock Holmes, though he had many other roles over the years. And, of course, there’s the John Cleese TV series “Fawlty Towers” in which he played a character named Basil Fawlty.
My name is pronounced like those pronounce it. Or pronounced it, since Basil Rathbone has been dead for a while.
If you still don’t know how to pronounce it, I’ll let these clips from Fawlty Towers explain. You can jump to 1:59 if you don’t want to watch the whole thing.
So what’s been on your mind? Got something you’d like to discuss? It’s Wednesday Night Open Thread, and you have the floor.
Who wants to start?
I’m old enough to know who Basil Rathbone is and I believe he was the best “Sherlock” ever but did you know Basil was an alkie??
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeLVZ2tgIxM
I vote for Jeremy Brett for acting out the detective’s thinking process; but Rathbone for just plain looking like the detective as described and illustrated.
Has anyone started calling Pelosi the “Beaker of the House” yet? ‘Cause she sure reminds me of that muppet.
But you gotta admit Basil had a droll sense of humor…….
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjEUNLtXmyU
Tonight’s history lesson………………..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-suOpy3rQU
Is it ok if i call you Basil Herb?
Compare the duel between Rathbone and Flynn in the Adventures of Robin Hood and Captain Blood.
I was watching Fawlty Towers the other day. The one with Basil the Rat.
Didn’t we already have this conversation?
Have people been calling you Basil instead of Basil even after you explained the proper pronunciation?
When people call me Veeshir instead of Veeshir that really bothers me too.
Yeah, but it still happens. Of course, the real reason for going over it again was to give me an excuse to play a video of Fawlty Towers clips.
Que?
Everyone forgive walruskkkch; he’s from Barcelona.
Speaking of British things, 27 May was the 78th anniversary of the sinking of the Bismark. There’s a good video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n69kV4gVoDw.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjU4u-pmOIw&w=560&h=315%5D
A digression: I saw one episode of “Master Chef Junior” where Gordon Ramsay and his daughter have a brief debate over the pronunciation of basil, the food substance — Tilly using the American pronunciation of the word and Gordon objecting. But I forget which way of pronunciation was which.
Easier to just call him… Tim?