Mary Berry reignites debate on how to pronounce ‘scone’

‘The Queen of baking has spoken’

Few baked goods spark a debate like the humble scone.

More than just an afternoon tea staple, the tasty treat has been at the forefront of controversies in the baking world lately with everything from how to eat it - in halves or as a sandwich - to the order of spreads - jam or cream first - up for discussion.

However, the most polarising issue plaguing scone-eaters nationwide is the contentious matter of pronunciation: is it ‘scone’ as in ‘gone’, or ‘scone’ as in ‘bone’?

While many have tried and failed to settle this perennial parley, we might finally have reached a conclusion, as the Queen of baking herself, Mary Berry, has confirmed that it is in fact ‘scone’ as in ‘gone’.

While the ‘bone’ camp take a few moments to compose themselves, take solace in knowing that you’re not alone in your subversive preference.

In fact, when Berry clarified her take on the debate on Britain’s Best Home Cook, after contestant Katie presented her with a cheese and butternut squash scone, mild disharmony erupted between the judges.

While Berry and Katie concurred that they were both ‘scone’ as in ‘gone’, fellow judges chef Dan Doherty and produce expert Chris Bavin resolved that they sided with the transgressive ‘scone’ as in ‘bone’ pronunciation.

The divide was amplified on Twitter, with users vehemently defending their respective hot takes.

Many resolved that whatever Berry says goes:

“Mary Berry pronounces ‘scone’ like ‘gone’ or ‘scon’. Not ‘stone’ or throne’. There we go. The Queen of baking has spoken,” one person wrote.

“Mary Berry has ended the debate on how to pronounce scone (as in gone),” another added.

However, others argued that the pronunciation should be determined by a lexical technicality:

“Scone as in bone. It’s the magic e rule, did people not learn this at school?” one person wrote.

“Scone rhyme with stone and bone. Otherwise, if it was a scon it would have to be a ston or a bon,” another pointed out.

And the debate (bread) rolls on.