A Lost Opportunity

[Greynomad]

When my son was just getting a handle on the printed word, I was reading a newspaper with him reading over my shoulder.
I turned the page to see a travel ad promoting the Thai city.
He studied the letters, then asked, “Daddy, where is ...” and he (naturally) rhymed it with ‘bucket’.
I rapidly corrected his pronunciation. Then showed him a map. SWMBO had to struggle to keep a straight face.
... At least he worked out that ‘ph’ made the ‘f’ sound.
And the incident led to a lively discussion on words which sound different to the expected letter combinations.
His blunder has become part of our family’s standing jokes.

[Grandad]

Years ago, in another life, I was arranging a lease agreement for a well known Melbourne musician. He had a family company Phuket Pty Ltd.
I had no idea how to pronounce it and assumed it rhymed with Bucket. Had a quiet smile to myself and thought that was a most appropriate name for a muso's company.
I mentioned it to him at the end and he informed me of how it was actually pronounced.

I felt like an idiot.

Jim