how the heck do you pronounce Cervelo?
08-20-04 | 03:43 PM
#1
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From: San Jose, CA
Bikes: Colnago C-50 Extreme Power, Bianchi Pista, Somec single-speed
nuff said. How?
[sheesh too bad a can't fix my mis-spelling of "pronounce"]
edit: According to Cervelo (and they just *might* know the correct answer), it's pronounced 'Sir-VeLL-O'.
[sheesh too bad a can't fix my mis-spelling of "pronounce"]
edit: According to Cervelo (and they just *might* know the correct answer), it's pronounced 'Sir-VeLL-O'.
Last edited by platypus; 08-25-04 at 01:12 PM. Reason: bad spelling in post subject
08-20-04 | 04:53 PM
#5
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From: Southern CA
Bikes: Litespeed, Medici, Gary Fisher
Not sure about the first syllable, but I concur on the rest ... I thought it was sir-VAY-low.
I heard somebody once say "CRE-veh-low" and I almost fell off my bike laughing ...
I heard somebody once say "CRE-veh-low" and I almost fell off my bike laughing ...
08-20-04 | 04:54 PM
#6
riding a Pinarello Prince
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From: Downtown Toronto,Canada
Bikes: Pinarello, Prince and an FP5
who cares, as long as your riding it, and enjoying your "ser - ve - lo" (Cervelo)
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08-20-04 | 05:24 PM
#7
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From the Cervélo site:
Suhr-VAY-loh.
The accent aigu (acute accent) over the second "e" tells folks (at least folks who speak French) that it's an "ay" sound, like in "say".
Whatever the case, the folks who made the first Canadian bike to appear in the Tour de France are chuffed no matter how you say it.
Cervélo is a combination of the Italian word for brain "cervello" and the french word for bike, "vélo". So it's a brainbike, or a bike with some extra thought put into it. We thought it was funny at the time, so we used it as a working title and it stuck.
The accent aigu (acute accent) over the second "e" tells folks (at least folks who speak French) that it's an "ay" sound, like in "say".
Whatever the case, the folks who made the first Canadian bike to appear in the Tour de France are chuffed no matter how you say it.
Last edited by girl27; 08-20-04 at 05:29 PM.
08-20-04 | 05:51 PM
#9
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Originally Posted by Grampy™
Shouldn't it be Sir-vay-low....."ay"? 
But I sure do wish I could type an upside-down "e" to pronounce the "uh" sound in the first syllable. Blasted schwa.
Last edited by girl27; 08-20-04 at 05:57 PM.
08-23-04 | 08:44 AM
#11
But, the first part of the word is Italian.
Is it not true that the Italian pronunciation of the first "C" is hard like "k"
Would'nt that make it "ker-VAY-low"??
Is it not true that the Italian pronunciation of the first "C" is hard like "k"
Would'nt that make it "ker-VAY-low"??
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Sometimes you just let the rabbits run, but sometimes you gotta let the dogs run.
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08-23-04 | 09:44 AM
#13
Aluminium Crusader :-)
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From: Melbourne, Australia
In my best Steve Irwin voice I was saying "Kervello" until some trendy guy in a trendy bike shop that has a coffee machine and everything, said, "oh, don't you mean 'Sirvello'?"
Oh, I'm sorry.......La di da
Oh, I'm sorry.......La di da
08-23-04 | 09:51 AM
#14
Originally Posted by platypus
[sheesh too bad a can't fix my mis-spelling of "pronounce"]
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"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, "WOW, What a Ride!" - unknown
"Your Bike Sucks" - Sky Yaeger
08-23-04 | 09:56 AM
#15
1/2 a binding 1/2 a brain
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From: Dillon, CO
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Originally Posted by ChipRGW
But, the first part of the word is Italian.
Is it not true that the Italian pronunciation of the first "C" is hard like "k"
Would'nt that make it "ker-VAY-low"??
Is it not true that the Italian pronunciation of the first "C" is hard like "k"
Would'nt that make it "ker-VAY-low"??
Ciao
08-23-04 | 12:44 PM
#16
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From: San Jose, CA
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ok so it seems that the "proper" way to say it would be "ker-vay-lo" (although the "vay" wouldn't be real long).
Sweet. Now I know how to say it whilst riding my new soloist 105 (that I picked up on Saturday)!
Sweet. Now I know how to say it whilst riding my new soloist 105 (that I picked up on Saturday)!
08-23-04 | 07:36 PM
#18
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From: San Francisco, CA
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Originally Posted by telenick
I asked my Italian immigrant parents to clarify between "chair" or "care" for the first syllable. Chip, according to my sources, you are correct. Also, the accent is on the 2nd syllable. As a rule, most Italian words emphasize the first syllable.
Ciao
Ciao
cerveau = brain pronounced: sair-voh
vélo = bicycle pronounced: vay-loh
Et, voila--- cer vélo
I can't believe I've spent so much time on this, someone tell me to get a grip!
08-23-04 | 08:44 PM
#20
A friend of my in Cardston, Alberta has one. It one sweet ride! He pronounced it sir-VAY-low. FWIW
Here is a photo of him riding through Great Falls when the Tailwinds Bike Club came through on tour from Cardston, Alberta to Salt Lake City, UT.
Here is a photo of him riding through Great Falls when the Tailwinds Bike Club came through on tour from Cardston, Alberta to Salt Lake City, UT.
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08-24-04 | 08:06 AM
#21
Originally Posted by chef_jmr
that's great, except it's not an Italian name. Maybe it comes from an amalgam of the French words:
cerveau = brain pronounced: sair-voh
vélo = bicycle pronounced: vay-loh
Et, voila--- cer vélo
I can't believe I've spent so much time on this, someone tell me to get a grip!
cerveau = brain pronounced: sair-voh
vélo = bicycle pronounced: vay-loh
Et, voila--- cer vélo
I can't believe I've spent so much time on this, someone tell me to get a grip!
__________________
Sometimes you just let the rabbits run, but sometimes you gotta let the dogs run.
Sometimes you just let the rabbits run, but sometimes you gotta let the dogs run.
08-24-04 | 08:42 PM
#23
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From: Missouri
Bikes: Cervelo P2K, Cannondale R1000
I've had mine for over three years and, as many people correctly pointed out it's sir-vay-low. Although, sometimes it comes out of my mouth sounding more like f***ingsonofabi***.
08-25-04 | 07:25 AM
#24
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From: n.w. superdrome
Bikes: 1 trek, serotta, rih, de Reus, Pogliaghi and finally a Zieleman! and got a DeRosa
Originally Posted by Hitchy
G'day,
just get a 'look'....problem solved!......L-ook
cheers,
Hitchy
just get a 'look'....problem solved!......L-ook
cheers,
Hitchy
But Look is a FRENCH frame. How do you pronounce
Look?
oy,oy,oy.
Marty
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Sono piů lento di quel che sembra.
Odio la gente, tutti.
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Odio la gente, tutti.
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08-25-04 | 08:16 AM
#25
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From: San Bruno, CA
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From the horse's mouth:
Subject: RE: How is Cervelo pronounced?
Date: Wed, 25 Aug 2004 10:11:27 -0400
From: info@cervelo.com
To: henry@xxxxxxxx.com
Sir-VeLL-O'
Thank You,
Team Cervelo
www.cervelo.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Henry [mailto:henry@xxxxxxxxx.com]
Sent: Wednesday, August 25, 2004 12:12 AM
To: info
Subject: How is Cervelo pronounced?
ker-vay-lo?
sir-vay-lo?
Thanks,
Henry
Date: Wed, 25 Aug 2004 10:11:27 -0400
From: info@cervelo.com
To: henry@xxxxxxxx.com
Sir-VeLL-O'
Thank You,
Team Cervelo
www.cervelo.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Henry [mailto:henry@xxxxxxxxx.com]
Sent: Wednesday, August 25, 2004 12:12 AM
To: info
Subject: How is Cervelo pronounced?
ker-vay-lo?
sir-vay-lo?
Thanks,
Henry