Ming the Merciless

Americans usually wonder at English names the spelling of which is at substantial variance with their pronunciation. The aristocratic surname Wriothesley, for example, which is pronounced 'Rxley' or 'Rottisly' or 'Risely' depending on whom you consult. Less well-known right now is the Scottish name Menzies, pronounced 'Mingiz'. That, however, may be about to change, at least among those Septics who follow the politics of the UK, as Sir Menzies Campbell takes charge of the Liberal Democrats. The celebrated Aussie statesman Sir Robert Menzies, however, pronounced his name as spelt; nonetheless, he, like Campbell, was known as 'Ming'.