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How do you pronounce Oeuvre?- Page 2

How do you pronounce Oeuvre?

#25How do you pronounce Oeuvre?
Posted: 1/4/13 at 11:08am

Is there a reason you abhor a perfectly serviceable word like oeuvre- which says EXACTLY what I wanted to say- but use a clunker like "elucidation"?

And I'm glad to see you agree that Into the Woods is the most popular show among Sondheim's works.

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PalJoey
#26How do you pronounce Oeuvre?
Posted: 1/4/13 at 11:41am

Gypsy has an overture but Les Mis has an oeuvre-ture.


#27How do you pronounce Oeuvre?
Posted: 1/4/13 at 12:04pm

OK. That made me giggle.

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newintown
#28How do you pronounce Oeuvre?
Posted: 1/4/13 at 4:14pm

What After Eight may be decrying is the tendency for French from an American mouth to sound like suburban pretentiousness (like poor old Charlotte Haze in Lolita).

I have to admit that, between "Sondheim's oeuvre" and "Sondheim's works," I'd opt for the latter, just for the simplicity and lack of fleurs.

#29How do you pronounce Oeuvre?
Posted: 1/4/13 at 4:42pm

But "works" is so vague- you could be referring to his heroin spoon, needle and tourniquet. Oeuvre is the word: The works of a painter, composer, or author regarded collectively: "the complete oeuvre of Mozart".

And while I pronounce it perfectly (my eight seasons as the dramaturg of the Paris Opera pretty much guarantees that), even if I didn't, on the internet, no one can hear you mispronounce.

Updated On: 1/4/13 at 04:42 PM

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PalJoey
#30How do you pronounce Oeuvre?
Posted: 1/4/13 at 4:52pm

OK. That made me giggle.

A bitter old giggle, I'm sure, but thank you for saying so.


#31How do you pronounce Oeuvre?
Posted: 1/4/13 at 5:05pm

Oh PJ. By comparison you are seeming almost bittersweet as of late.