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by NightRider on July 18th, 2005

NightRider

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If the semaphore method of communication is made up only of words that do not sound like any other words, then why does "delta" (for the letter "d") rhyme with "helter-skelter"?

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  • by jenniferprofitt on July 19th, 2005

    jenniferprofitt

    I don't know how YOU pronounce "delta" but the way I say it does not rhyme with "helter-skelter". Perhaps if you are in the northeastern United States, you may speak an unnecessary "R" at the end of some words, which can make them rhyme with words they wouldn't normally rhyme with.

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  • by jalex137 on July 25th, 2005

    jalex137

    Semaphore is a visual method of communication usually with flags. I think your question has to do with the common phonetic alphabet used for voice communications.

    It's not so much that the words don't rhyme with anything, but that they don't rhyme with another word used in the particular phonetic alphabet. That's why it's important if possible to use an established, pre-planned phonetic alphabet, to achieve the greatest accuracy. Making it up on the spot invites errors.

    In my particular regional accent, "delta" doesn't rhyme with "helter-skelter", but that's another subject.

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