Speaking of pronunciation... MAFAC
09-15-15, 11:47 AM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Speaking of pronunciation... MAFAC
How do you pronounce it?
"May-Fack"? (this is how I say it, but I'm sure I'm wrong)
"May-Face"?
"May-Fake"?
"Mah-Fock"? (I can't bring myself do this without giggling)
"Mah-Foss"?
And it the accent on the first or second syllable?
"May-Fack"? (this is how I say it, but I'm sure I'm wrong)
"May-Face"?
"May-Fake"?
"Mah-Fock"? (I can't bring myself do this without giggling)
"Mah-Foss"?
And it the accent on the first or second syllable?
09-15-15, 12:06 PM
#2
xlbs
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Bailieboro, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 89
Bikes: True North TI, Miyata 1000LT, Rodriguez tandem, Fontan vintage road, Sekine vintage road, Catrike recumbent
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times
in
6 Posts
It's "maa fack", like a sheep going "ba", but NOT like the British "Bah"...Typical French pronunciation. Slight emphasis on the first syllable.
09-15-15, 12:20 PM
#4
Bike Butcher of Portland
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 11,655
Bikes: It's complicated.
Mentioned: 1301 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4691 Post(s)
Liked 5,838 Times
in
2,297 Posts
Don't argue with the Canadian's pronounciation, they all know french.
__________________
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
Likes For gugie:
09-15-15, 12:24 PM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Washington County, Vermont, USA
Posts: 3,778
Bikes: 1966 Dawes Double Blue, 1976 Raleigh Gran Sport, 1975 Raleigh Sprite 27, 1980 Univega Viva Sport, 1971 Gitane Tour de France, 1984 Lotus Classique, 1976 Motobecane Grand Record
Mentioned: 77 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 765 Post(s)
Liked 660 Times
in
351 Posts
While we're at it, why don't we revive the MAFAC vs. Mafac capitalization debate? Let pedantry reign!
__________________
www.redclovercomponents.com
"Progress might have been all right once, but it has gone on too long."
--Ogden Nash
www.redclovercomponents.com
"Progress might have been all right once, but it has gone on too long."
--Ogden Nash
09-15-15, 12:43 PM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Alta California
Posts: 14,318
Mentioned: 416 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3826 Post(s)
Liked 3,377 Times
in
2,204 Posts
09-15-15, 12:49 PM
#8
Aspiring curmudgeon
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Saint Louis
Posts: 2,486
Bikes: Guerciotti, Serotta, Gaulzetti
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 111 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 26 Times
in
13 Posts
It's an acronym, right? MAFAC all the way. Perhaps we can use that to extrapolate pronunciation as well.
Manufacture Arvernoise de Freins et Accessoires pour Cycles
m -- long a -- f -- short a -- soft c
Maaf -- ass (seems wrong)
Manufacture Arvernoise de Freins et Accessoires pour Cycles
m -- long a -- f -- short a -- soft c
Maaf -- ass (seems wrong)
__________________
"Party on comrades" -- Lenin, probably
"Party on comrades" -- Lenin, probably
Last edited by icepick_trotsky; 09-15-15 at 12:54 PM.
09-15-15, 01:24 PM
#10
multimodal commuter
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: NJ, NYC, LI
Posts: 19,808
Bikes: 1940s Fothergill, 1959 Allegro Special, 1963? Claud Butler Olympic Sprint, Lambert 'Clubman', 1974 Fuji "the Ace", 1976 Holdsworth 650b conversion rando bike, 1983 Trek 720 tourer, 1984 Counterpoint Opus II, 1993 Basso Gap, 2010 Downtube 8h, and...
Mentioned: 584 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1908 Post(s)
Liked 574 Times
in
339 Posts
If it comes up in conversation, imitate the pronunciation used by the person who said it first. If you are going to be that person, say "mayfack."
It's not a French word, and we're not speaking French, so the only rules is : make yourself understood without being a jerk.
Next question: how do the French pronounce "Stronglight?"
It's not a French word, and we're not speaking French, so the only rules is : make yourself understood without being a jerk.
Next question: how do the French pronounce "Stronglight?"
__________________
www.rhmsaddles.com.
www.rhmsaddles.com.
09-15-15, 01:52 PM
#11
verktyg
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 4,030
Bikes: Current favorites: 1988 Peugeot Birraritz, 1984 Gitane Super Corsa, 1980s DeRosa, 1981 Bianchi Campione Del Mondo, 1992 Paramount OS, 1988 Colnago Technos, 1985 RalieghUSA SBDU Team Pro
Mentioned: 207 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1036 Post(s)
Liked 1,240 Times
in
655 Posts
"Is it wrong... or just French!" 
The original spelling was M.A.F.A.C. - Manufacture Arvernoise de Freins et Accessoires pour Cycles (Arveni Manufacturing Works for Bicycle Brakes and Accessories).
In the mid 60's Charles André Joseph Marie de Gaulle led the charge to purge the French language of all non French words i.e. television, hamburger, hot dog, car, truck plus thousands of other foreign words!
de Gaulle "la grande Zohra" is dead so you can blame everything on him!
BTW, I always pronounced them MAY-FAK.
verktyg
Chas.
The original spelling was M.A.F.A.C. - Manufacture Arvernoise de Freins et Accessoires pour Cycles (Arveni Manufacturing Works for Bicycle Brakes and Accessories).
In the mid 60's Charles André Joseph Marie de Gaulle led the charge to purge the French language of all non French words i.e. television, hamburger, hot dog, car, truck plus thousands of other foreign words!
de Gaulle "la grande Zohra" is dead so you can blame everything on him!
BTW, I always pronounced them MAY-FAK.
verktyg
Chas.
__________________
Don't believe everything you think! History is written by those who weren't there....
Chas. ;-)
Don't believe everything you think! History is written by those who weren't there....
Chas. ;-)
09-15-15, 01:58 PM
#12
Banned
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 6,480
Mentioned: 93 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1361 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 425 Times
in
284 Posts
Sounding out~
The factory pads and tin mudguards make the ultimate French horns. Once you get that perfect resonating sound, you then dial it in for slight differential making it two tone! I've also learned to modulate them for volume or control independent sound. Really is comical and in keeping with the French character on my Motobecane.
My other bikes with Racers have Kool Stop pads but I can't get them to replicate that sound.
The factory pads and tin mudguards make the ultimate French horns. Once you get that perfect resonating sound, you then dial it in for slight differential making it two tone! I've also learned to modulate them for volume or control independent sound. Really is comical and in keeping with the French character on my Motobecane.
My other bikes with Racers have Kool Stop pads but I can't get them to replicate that sound.
09-15-15, 02:01 PM
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Alta California
Posts: 14,318
Mentioned: 416 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3826 Post(s)
Liked 3,377 Times
in
2,204 Posts
09-15-15, 02:16 PM
#14
Señor Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Hardy, VA
Posts: 17,947
Bikes: Mostly English - predominantly Raleighs
Mentioned: 71 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1499 Post(s)
Liked 1,102 Times
in
645 Posts
I pronounce it as "Weinmann" (wine-man) 
Actually, don't recall ever riding a bike that had them.
Actually, don't recall ever riding a bike that had them.
__________________
In search of what to search for.
In search of what to search for.
09-15-15, 02:59 PM
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location: La La Land (We love it!)
Posts: 6,301
Bikes: Gilmour road, Curtlo road; both steel (of course)
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 273 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 10 Times
in
9 Posts
I pronounce MAFAC as "trash" as in toss them all there...
__________________
Today, I believe my jurisdiction ends here...
Today, I believe my jurisdiction ends here...
09-15-15, 04:01 PM
#17
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 40,525
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Mentioned: 511 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7359 Post(s)
Liked 2,502 Times
in
1,451 Posts
If it comes up in conversation, imitate the pronunciation used by the person who said it first. If you are going to be that person, say "mayfack."
It's not a French word, and we're not speaking French, so the only rules is : make yourself understood without being a jerk.
Next question: how do the French pronounce "Stronglight?"
It's not a French word, and we're not speaking French, so the only rules is : make yourself understood without being a jerk.
Next question: how do the French pronounce "Stronglight?"
I've wondered about that. And how do Italians pronounce "Universal?" Why do they even use English names? I guess Universal is easier than Stronglight.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
09-15-15, 04:13 PM
#18
xlbs
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Bailieboro, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 89
Bikes: True North TI, Miyata 1000LT, Rodriguez tandem, Fontan vintage road, Sekine vintage road, Catrike recumbent
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times
in
6 Posts
I'm not a pedant by any stretch, but all of the French speaking bicycle people I know in Canada always pronounced it as rhyming with "Aflac"---and I know a lot of them. I know that it's an acronym, but it is French, and the rules of French phonetics would suggest that the first "A" is soft, not hard. I also know that our friends down there in the US of A have difficulty with French pronunciation at the best of times. I'm not being a snob, but you folks just don't say it right, just as we Canadians can't say "garage" or "roof" or "about" correctly according to American ears!
Likes For xlbs:
09-15-15, 04:49 PM
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: northern michigan
Posts: 13,319
Bikes: '77 Colnago Super, '76 Fuji The Finest, '88 Cannondale Criterium, '86 Trek 760, '87 Miyata 712
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 660 Post(s)
Liked 601 Times
in
314 Posts
Can we do Faggin next?
09-15-15, 04:52 PM
#20
Señor Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Hardy, VA
Posts: 17,947
Bikes: Mostly English - predominantly Raleighs
Mentioned: 71 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1499 Post(s)
Liked 1,102 Times
in
645 Posts
I'm not a pedant by any stretch, but all of the French speaking bicycle people I know in Canada always pronounced it as rhyming with "Aflac"---and I know a lot of them. I know that it's an acronym, but it is French, and the rules of French phonetics would suggest that the first "A" is soft, not hard. I also know that our friends down there in the US of A have difficulty with French pronunciation at the best of times. I'm not being a snob, but you folks just don't say it right, just as we Canadians can't say "garage" or "roof" or "about" correctly according to American ears!
Proof that everything and everyone is wrong.
__________________
In search of what to search for.
In search of what to search for.
09-15-15, 06:02 PM
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 11,128
Bikes: 1986 Alan Record Carbonio, 1985 Vitus Plus Carbone 7, 1984 Peugeot PSV, 1972 Line Seeker, 1986(est.) Medici Aerodynamic (Project), 1985(est.) Peugeot PY10FC
Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 150 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 33 Times
in
27 Posts
Veetoos....Veetoos......Veetoos......Veetoos........
No, not the sound from a French Ambulance or police car siren, but how a French bicycle and steel tubing brand is pronounced....
No, not the sound from a French Ambulance or police car siren, but how a French bicycle and steel tubing brand is pronounced....
09-15-15, 06:59 PM
#22
multimodal commuter
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: NJ, NYC, LI
Posts: 19,808
Bikes: 1940s Fothergill, 1959 Allegro Special, 1963? Claud Butler Olympic Sprint, Lambert 'Clubman', 1974 Fuji "the Ace", 1976 Holdsworth 650b conversion rando bike, 1983 Trek 720 tourer, 1984 Counterpoint Opus II, 1993 Basso Gap, 2010 Downtube 8h, and...
Mentioned: 584 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1908 Post(s)
Liked 574 Times
in
339 Posts
The French have their own way of pronouncing many words, such as "Paris" and "France" and "hamburger." When we speak French, these things matter. When we speak English, not so much.
__________________
www.rhmsaddles.com.
www.rhmsaddles.com.
09-15-15, 07:00 PM
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Memphis, TN
Posts: 874
Bikes: 1982 Trek 613, 1988 Panasonic MC 2500, 1981 Schwinn Super Sport, 1975 Raleigh Super Course MKII, 1985 Miyata 210
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 178 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
4 Posts
I think Deore would be a good candidate for the next pronunciation thread. "Dee-or-ay" or "Dee-or"?
09-16-15, 12:20 AM
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Port Angeles, WA
Posts: 7,922
Bikes: A green one, "Ragleigh," or something.
Mentioned: 194 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1627 Post(s)
Liked 630 Times
in
356 Posts
I don't seem to have a lot of friends anymore.
__________________
● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●