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accompliment / accompaniment?

(7 Posts)
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MamaCaz Fri 09-Jan-15 20:43:31

I noticed recently that everyone else seems to say "accompliment" when talking about, for example, a food/drink that goes well with another. I have always said "accompaniment", and started to worry that I have been saying the wrong word all my life.
As I usually do when in doubt, I eventually Googled it, and was relieved to find that what I've been saying seems to be correct. However, I still haven't heard anyone else use it, which begs the question: am I the only person in England who says it?

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tanith Fri 09-Jan-15 21:49:38

No MamaCaz I would also say accompaniment.. never heard anyone say the other one ..

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MamaCaz Fri 09-Jan-15 21:58:47

Now I've mentioned it, you'll probably start noticing it all the time. Sorry about that! grin

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Elegran Fri 09-Jan-15 22:17:34

Maybe they were mixing it up with a "complimentary coffee" ie a free one (presumably with the compliments of the chef)

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MamaCaz Fri 09-Jan-15 22:34:53

Elegran: I've wondered about that, and also the possibility that they have mixed it up with the word 'complement'. All I now is that I have genuinely not heard anyone on TV (or anywhere else, come to that) say "accompaniment" since I started listening out for it.

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MamaCaz Fri 09-Jan-15 22:36:08

Slip of the finger there - I meant 'know, not 'now' blush

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Elegran Fri 09-Jan-15 22:50:34

Several similar words and opportunities for confusion. (and isn't it difficult to find an example when you need one, even though you tripped over them before? How often I have failed to mark some real howler in a newspaper or magazine, then searched for it in vain to show someone)

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