observation

[da]

There is quite a difference between suggesting that someone might be feted, rather than fetid.

Thank you. That is all.

Comments

[arcticturtle.livejournal.com]

But it could be an opportunity to express your true feelings while feigning a simple and perfectly excusable error in spelling/usage.

[da-lj.livejournal.com]

or, pronunciation; as in this case, I was casually talking with my boss's boss.

[mynatt.livejournal.com]

Hmm, I would have pronounced them the same, and assumed the context would make it clear which I meant (ie, wouldn't "feted" be pronounced like the French word "fête", as opposed to the English word "fate"?).

[da-lj.livejournal.com]

yes, I think feted would always be pronounced like "fête." But I couldn't remember whether fetid was pronounced the same, or as it would be if it were spelled in the British way, fœtid. Let alone which was correct in Canada. :)

Context is, at least, a hint, though less so if you're just given the sentence that we were talking about:

"Hm, I wonder if he'll be feted?"

[dpolicar]

In fact, the latter would tend to inhibit the former.

[da-lj.livejournal.com]

er, unless it were fated?

[da-lj.livejournal.com]

In fact, the latter would tend to inhibit the former.

Oh dear; it gets worse. Imagine the confusion if you thought greek cheese was disgusting and smelly, and the people you were talking to thought a gift of same, would be celebratory.

In which case, they would assume being feta'd would contribute to being feted.

[dpolicar]

Indeed.

And you might justifiable conclude from this unlikely incident that you were fated to be feted with fetid feta.

It's enough to make you curl up into a little ball... er, what is that position called, again?