pronounce melee??

[Buena Girl]

While looking up info about diamonds to use for pave, I read a little about melee and ACA melee. I was wondering how to pronounce it? Is it simply me-lee? Or is it more exotic, like me-lay-a?
-thanks in advance!

 

[Daniela]

If I'm not mistaken, it should be pronounced just as it is in French--"mell-ay", with the emphasis on the final syllable. And if it were spelled with accents and all as it is in French, it would be written " mêlée ". I however do not know the origin of why melee's are called melee's.

Now I am inspired to go an consult the Robert (the French dictionary). I'll let you know if I come up with anything interesting.

 

[Buena Girl]

ahh, thanks!! I tried a Google search and I got mostly info about the nintendo game Smash Bros. Melee

 

[Daniela]

The Oxford English Dictionary says it's "a confused fight, skirmish, or scuffle," which harldy suits our purposes. The Robert has the same definition, and of course the more generic definition of mêlée, which is "ensemble of diverse elements". It comes from the verb mêler, which means "to mix."

Now the jewellery experts are going to have to chime in, because I myself have contemplated the origin of this word. I like thinking about words... Especially French ones.

Anyone?


Daniela

 

[DavidEmslie]

Over the years everyone I have ever bought the stuff from has called it melee by pronounceing it as mel-ee, kind of like Emily, but sounding more like melly.

 

[dimonbob]

Mel-ee
Mel with a short e
and ee with a long e
Mel'ee

 

[Buena Girl]

that's interesting...One more question: Even though it is usully pronounced melly, does it still have the same meaning as the french word?

 

[DiamondExpert]

rhymes with "belly".

 

[valeria101]

Intereating... The word should indeed mean 'mixed' or 'random' set of objects.

Here's what I know

Aside these small stones - which weren't around as long as the word has been - a parcel of mixed faceted stones of small individual value may be called 'melee' to account for the merchandise being sold as a group, usually at a discount. It does not sound flaterring to say that "those are of melee quality" (probably some small pieces of mixed shapes, sizes etc. sold bulk). Rough stones can also be 'melee'...

The 'bad' connotation is most likely older than the current usage for 'small faceted stones used for pave setting'.

 

[Buena Girl]

Thanks everyone!! I was completely mispronouncing it. The definitions were also extremely helpful!

 

[manechka]

deleted

 

[Number6]

If you go to the Miriam Webster dictionary online, it has a little "Speaker" icon you can click that will pronounce the word for you. This is the greatest thing ever.

Link to it: Click for the dictionary

Link to Melee: Click me for Melee

 

[aljdewey]

Melee - rhymes with belly

 

[quaeritur]

Sigh... of course the chick with the MA in French stumbles across this thread after all the questions have been answered. For once, something on this forum I am actually knowledgeable about!!!

 

[diamonewbie]

Actually, it rhymes closer with mayday, than belly! I've been using this word ever since I was like 12 playing D&D. That link to the dictionary and the voice was helpful. It's like saying MehLay. At least, that's how my ears heard the voice. Then again, my ears hear a lot of voices that others don't hear.

 

[aljdewey]

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On 6/24/2004 3:53:21 PM diamonewbie wrote:





Actually, it rhymes closer with mayday, than belly! I've been using this word ever since I was like 12 playing D&D. That link to the dictionary and the voice was helpful. It's like saying MehLay. At least, that's how my ears heard the voice. Then again, my ears hear a lot of voices that others don't hear.

----------------

The word has french origins, and by French standards, yes, it *should be* pronounced "maylay".

However, since the entire industry refers to it as "melly (rhymes with belly)", that's become the accepted pronounciation.

This is one of those "aint isn't a word" scenarios. It wasn't a word, but so many people used it, it became listed in the dictionary anyway./idealbb/images/smilies/9.gif

 

[diamonewbie]

----------------
On 6/24/2004 4:23:37 PM aljdewey wrote:

----------------
On 6/24/2004 3:53:21 PM diamonewbie wrote:



Actually, it rhymes closer with mayday, than belly! I've been using this word ever since I was like 12 playing D&D. That link to the dictionary and the voice was helpful. It's like saying MehLay. At least, that's how my ears heard the voice. Then again, my ears hear a lot of voices that others don't hear.

----------------

The word has french origins, and by French standards, yes, it *should be* pronounced 'maylay'.

However, since the entire industry refers to it as 'melly (rhymes with belly)', that's become the accepted pronounciation.

This is one of those 'aint isn't a word' scenarios. It wasn't a word, but so many people used it, it became listed in the dictionary anyway./idealbb/images/smilies/9.gif
----------------

Well, with all due respect, I think I'll pronounce it the same as I have for the last 20 years.

 

[Daniela]

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On 6/24/2004 1:22:15 PM quaeritur wrote:

Sigh... of course the chick with the MA in French stumbles across this thread after all the questions have been answered. For once, something on this forum I am actually knowledgeable about!!!

----------------

M.A. in French? Me too!

 

[SFDavey]

LOL

Is is new-clear or new-que-lar OR new-clee-air?

 

[diamondsbylauren]

Melee is a word derived from the French word, Melange- meaing a mixture- an assortment.
Larger diamonds are generally kept in papers by thier lonesomes- but diamonds of .35 or so, and smaller, are commonly kept in large groups.
Therefore word melee referrs to stones of .35 and smaller.

I'm with the "belly:" crowd on pronunciation

 

[aljdewey]

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On 6/24/2004 5:17:06 PM diamonewbie wrote:






Well, with all due respect, I think I'll pronounce it the same as I have for the last 20 years.

----------------

No worries.........as long as you don't mind the puzzles looks from the jewelers if they don't understand what you're asking for, I suppose you can pronounce it any way you like!

 

[kpebbles]

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On 6/24/2004 7:53:37 PM SFDavey wrote:

LOL


Is is new-clear or new-que-lar OR new-clee-air?----------------

ack! the whole "new-que-lar" pronunciation of that word, made popular by george bush, is a HUGE pet peeve of mine..i can't stand it!!