Nigella Lawson reveals what she calls a microwave now after her bizarre pronunciation went viral

In December 2020, she left fans in stitches with her bizarre pronouncement of an essential kitchen appliance.

And now TV chef Nigella Lawson, 62, has said she feels insecure about using the word microwave after her saying 'meecro-wahvey' went viral.

During an appearance on BBC Breakfast on Christmas Day, she told presenter Jon Kay that she now simply calls the machine a 'you-know-what'.

When questioned about the incident, she said: “I wasn't quite aware that I had said it because that's what I call it at home.”

Before revealing how she is now often approached by members of the public explaining their own family's misstatements.

When asked if she would say “meecro-wahvey” during the holidays, she said, “I won't.” It's made me quite self-conscious now. I tend to call it 'you-know-what-now'.

She previously revealed she avoided the word microwave completely after stunning viewers of her Eat, Cook, Repeat programme.

In a new clip that gives cooking fans advice on how to steam her Speedy Steamed Syrup Sponge, she calls a microwave the “you-know-what” to avoid the social media meltdown she experienced last time.

Speaking directly to the audience as she explains the best way to steam her pudding, Nigella says: 'You're impatient to eat it – it's madness because it takes hours to steam it.

'But I have an alternative method.

“I'll give it a quick blast in the you-know-what,” Nigella explains, grinning and looking wide-eyed at the camera.

'You have to be very careful because steam is hot and golden syrup is hotter than anything.

“I'm not going to argue about whether you want custard or ice cream, but for me, I want a lot of cool whipped cream. One of my dishes on a desert island.'

London-born domestic goddess Nigella caused a stir many times during the BBC2 series when she said 'meecro-wahvey', from a recipe for buttered toast to adding licorice pellets to cheesecake.

As she whipped up the rich mashed potatoes with butter, Nigella explained to fans: 'I need a little more milk – full fat – which I heated up in the meecro-wah-vey.

The pronunciation is close to the way the word is pronounced in Italian and Spanish, but it is not clear whether Nigella was joking or if this is her usual intonation.

Many fans quickly took to Twitter to comment on the bizarre statement, with some labeling her a hero while others were more baffled.

“The way @Nigella_Lawson just pronounced 'microwave' is a defining moment for 2020. #CookEatRepeat,” said one.

'From now on, 'mecrowavay' will forever be in my vocabulary and the microwave will cease to exist. Queen @Nigella_Lawson has spoken,” another joked.

“And the land obeyed. From now on, #meecrowavaay is the new national rollout,” said a third.

“@Nigella_Lawson's microwave statement killed me, I love it,” another added.

'Meekro-wave – brilliant!! Plus, I didn't know I needed a mechanical potato masher in my life,” one person said.

“The word of the day is 'Mee-cro-wah-vay': an electronic device used to heat things, courtesy of Nigella Lawson,” said one.

Others described her as 'legendary', adding that they were 'crying'.

“I think one legendary phrase will forever live on as my fondest moment and memory of 2020. I don't think I'll ever be able to call it a microwave again,” said one.

'This made me cry. My kind of humor also involves mispronouncing words,” said another.

“Today's episode is the gift that never stops giving: Meekrowaav-A,” a third joked.