> "Bouche" is a little more refined, "gueule" more familiar, but they're pretty much interchangeable.

Yes, because originally "bouche" is for humans and "gueule" for animals. Still of course you say "ta gueule !" to a person.

That's pretty familiar - my point.

I think "ta-gueule" is even lower than familiar. Anyway I didn't mean to recommend people say it.

Amuse-gueule is proper French, even though gueule by itself is familiar when it refers to a human being; since it refers to the face of an animal, using it to describe the face of a human being is considered pejorative. Amuse-gueule, on the other hand, refers to something that pleases the taste … little appetizers, for example.

Sorry, should have been >I have heard both used<

I went to Ira's site and heard "Alain" pronounce amuse bouche as "am-use boosh."

However, I am still not convinced. For example, my good friend, Christina, an editor of French Vogue pronounces "Louvre" as Loo-vrah. She was born in Grenoble. I think there are as many ways to pronounce words and phrases in France as there are in the US.

Is it St. Loo-is? Or is it St. Loo-ee?

Missouri or Missoura?

Hi Cigal,

Is that what they call a "bon mot"?

Perhaps a "bon mou"? :)

((I))

Polly, Precious!!
I like it with bouche..I like the way it sounds, I like the way the mouth forms to say Bouche ((K))

Hello, Scarlett! How is your son in Japan? Keith is getting so fat I told him I am filing for divorce.

Mother, Keith, Muffy, and I think we are going to Israel and Jordan this summer. If not, Hong Kong and Singapore.

I am ready for my bowl of gin, Mr. DeMille!

Cheers,
John G.

((D)) Cheers to you Polly darlin!
Hong Kong and Singapore sound right to me..shopping :)

Poor Keith, perhaps a nice spa somewhere?

Oh, and the baby boy is fine...teaching adorable Japanese children and figuring out how to come back to the US , see the world, meet us in Buenos Aires and be rich...:D

You are going to Buenos Aires? I was just there a few years ago. Great shopping and CHEAP! Did you read my trip report? I recommend Cabana Las Lilas for steak!!!

No! I did not see your trip report!
I will go look now..wonderful!
We are now doing the hotel part of research, so many! I am veering towards the smaller boutique types..I like the sound of the Recoleta..
Oh, and to keep this in with the OP question, in Buenos Aires there are some nice French restaurants where you can get an " a- mouse booosh ".

There are not multiple ways to pronounce the vast majority of words in French. French people do not pronounce Louvre as two syllables, even though English speakers think they are hearing two syllables. The reason for that has to do with sustained articulatory tension in French, the release of which often sounds like a separate central vowel to speakers of other languages. But Louvre contains only one syllable: /luːvʁ/.

Scarlet..I agree about Cabana de las Lilas in BA...the food there is amazing!!!!!!!! Make sure to reserve and have fun....do not miss a milonga!!!

In NYC they usually say just "amuse" when they bring one before your meal.

You can't go wrong with staying in Recoleta. The best hotel, in my opinion, is the Alvear Palace. It is considered the best hotel in South America by some.

You have to people watch at Cafe de la Paix, which is across from Recoleta Cemetery. Bring your Jackie O sunglasses and all your H. Stern jewelry.