Q. My daughter will be studying Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde for English GCSE and my wife and I are at daggers drawn. I say that Jekyll should be pronounced ‘Jeekill’, as in Gertrude. My wife says that this is pretentious and we should stick to ‘Jeckill’, as in Hollywood. Please advise.
A.D., Faringdon, Oxfordshire
A. According to the Jekyll family, of whom there are not that many members, the correct pronunciation is ‘Jeekill’. Since Robert Louis Stevenson actually met Gertrude’s brother, Walter, when the latter was a priest in Bournemouth, it is likely that this was the pronunciation he had in mind when writing. Say Jeekill if you like, therefore, but your daughter would do better to use the same pronunciation as the person who is teaching her English class.
Q. I happen to have insider knowledge that a neighbour (and friend of mine) is about to have a vacancy on his staff which would suit my brother-in-law admirably.
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