After a number of years of trying, I have finally reached the point where I can mentally pronounce “Lieutenant” either as the British “Lef-tenant” or the American “Loo-tenant” more or less automatically, depending on the author, the character involved &c.

A modest achievement, perhaps, but I’m rayther proud of it.

(And before any smart-ass tries to catch me out on it, yes, I know Waugh is pictured above as a Major. But it was whilst reading his Sword of Honour trilogy that I first perfected this skill. You should see me batting against the ubiquitous and oily Lt. Padfield: There’s nothing the Loot can bowl that I don’t send to the boundaries.)