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... obviously on a cruise ship!

A truly awful "homophone" in the Guardian cryptic today:

"Blokes, gushing types so they say (7)"

hi darla
this came up a fw weeks ago too. the british pronunciation is quite different from the american one - the homophone works perfectly over here

I’ve just explored some dictionaries and learned that geyser can be pronounced “geezer” in the UK, but only in reference to a water heater, but not a “gushing type.” Please enlighten me further if that is not correct.

most of us would pronounce the water heater and the gusher the same way. i have heard "guyser", but very rarely

i've found the previous puzzle and discussion. it's here
https://www.fifteensquared.net/2023/09/11/guardian-quiptic-1243-chandler/

Darla

Thanks for your posting. Like ChrisE, I pronounce the bloke, the gusher and the water heater the same way. I have never heard any variation in the UK but there are probably regional variations.

Thank you both for the information. Live and learn. Strictly "guyser" over here.

The OED gives four pronunciations for British English but only one for American.

GEE-zuh, GUY-zuh, GAY-suh, GUY-suh.
American: GUY-zur.

Apparently the word comes from Icelandic, a former proper name. These days they call it a goshver, pronounced goss-kvair. Gos means an eruption and also a soft fizzy drink. Hver means a hot spring.

Malone

I was delighted you featured in the Times crossword yesterday.

22D Artistic performer given her head? (6) - A - O - E

It was my last entry, but the answer was obvious.

Well done on getting your recognition.