Does ‘scone’ rhyme with ‘gone’ or ‘cone’? MailOnline asks ChatGPT how to pronounce it

With the King’s coronation tomorrow, millions of Britons across the UK will be preparing their celebratory picnic.

No decent spread would be complete without scones slathered in clotted cream and jam, but the big question is – how do you pronounce ‘scone’?

While many people argue that the baked good should rhyme with “cone,” others are convinced that it should rhyme with “road.”

To settle the debate once and for all, MailOnline turned to everyone’s favorite AI bot, ChatGPT.

But do you agree with his claims?

Prior to the coronation, MailOnline asked ChatGPT, “How do you pronounce scone?”

While the bot acknowledged there are two common pronunciations for the word, it says there is only one correct answer in Britain.

“There are actually two common pronunciations for the word “scone,” and the pronunciation can vary depending on regional dialects and personal preferences,” it explained.

In British English, the word “scone” is generally pronounced as a rhyme with “gone” or “awn” – with a long “o” sound.

“However, in American English, the word ‘scone’ is often pronounced as a rhyme with ‘cone’ or ‘own’ – with a short ‘o’ sound.”

Rhyming scone with “road” is much more common in the north of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, according to Cambridge University.

Meanwhile, those who rhyme it with “own” are mostly in Cornwall, the Midlands and Southern Ireland.

The rest of the UK seems to show a lot of variation depending on the community.

Some people in Scotland, where scones are thought to have originated in the 16th century, even use a third pronunciation – ‘skoon’, to rhyme with ‘moon’.

Prior to the coronation, MailOnline asked ChatGPT, “How do you pronounce scone?” While the bot acknowledged there are two common pronunciations for the word, it says there is only one correct answer in Britain

According to a 2016 YouGov poll, most Brits pronounce the word to rhyme with road, which is also the pronunciation Mary Berry uses.

The news comes shortly after the @VeryBritishProblems Twitter account requested
ChatGPT whether scone eaters should slather on jam or cream first.

It replied, “As an AI language model, I don’t really have the ability to eat scones or personal preference, but if I had to choose between the two methods, I’d probably go for the Devon method to get the solidified cream.” on the scone first, followed by the jam on top.

“I think it’s because the cream acts as a base, which helps the jam spread more easily and softens the overall flavor.”

“But again, it’s really up to personal preference, and both methods have their merits!”

Chocolate side up or down? Scientist Reveals the Best Way to Eat a Chocolate Digestive

With their crunchy cookie base and luxurious chocolate topping, Chocolate Digestives have been a favorite with cookie lovers since their launch in 1925.

But one question has been much debated about the biscuits: In which direction should they be eaten?

Now researchers at Oxford University think they’ve settled the debate, claiming that you should pick up the cookies chocolate-side up, but flip them before eating them.

The experts say this method allows the brain to register the chocolate coating, while flipping before eating maximizes the “oral-somatosensory experience” of chocolate melting on the tongue.

Read more here

Oxford University researchers think they have settled the debate, claiming you should pick up the biscuits chocolate side up, but turn them over before eating them