A question of pronunciation

[sawyl]

Inspired by a debate about whether one of the crossword setters was right to rhyme "crooks" with "crux" — answer: not in my cut glass world! — today's Guardian letters page collects some wonderful little anecdotes about pronunciations and misunderstandings, including this gem from Richard Dawkins:

Sir Vivian Fuchs, the Antarctic explorer, was lecturing in a Yorkshire town hall, and was introduced by the mayor as "Sir Vivian Fucks". Embarrassed, Sir Vivian whispered: "Er, actually, my name is Fuchs." "Ay lad, I know, but I couldn't say that in pooblic could I?"