In December 2020, she amazed her fans with her bizarre pronunciation of an essential kitchen appliance.
And now TV chef Nigella Lawson, 62, has said she feels unsafe using the word “microwave” after her pronunciation “meecro-wahvey” went viral.
During an appearance on BBC Breakfast on Christmas Day, she told presenter Jon Kay that she now simply refers to the machine as “you-know-what”.
When asked about the incident, she said: “I wasn't fully aware that I had said that because that's what I call it at home.”
Before revealing how she is now often approached by members of the public who explain her own family's mispronunciation.
TV chef Nigella Lawson said she felt unsafe using the word “microwave” after her pronunciation “meecro-wahvey” went viral in 2020
During an appearance on BBC Breakfast on Christmas Day, she told presenter Jon Kay that she now simply refers to the machine as “you-know-what”.
When asked if she would say “meecro-wahvey” during the holidays, she replied, “I don't.” It's made me pretty insecure now. I tend to refer to it as “you-know-what-now.”
She previously revealed she was avoiding the word “microwave” altogether after stunning viewers of her show Eat, Cook, Repeat.
In a new clip, she gives cooking fans advice on how to steam her Speedy Steamed Syrup Sponge. She refers to a microwave as a “you know what” to avoid the social media meltdown she experienced last time.
Nigella addresses the audience directly as she explains the best way to steam her pudding, saying: “You can't wait to eat it – it's crazy as it takes hours to steam.”
“But I have an alternative method.”
“I’ll try it out in you-know-what,” explains Nigella, looking into the camera with wide eyes.
“You have to be very careful because steam is hot and golden syrup is hotter than anything else.”
“I won't object if you want custard or ice cream, but I want lots of cool double cream. One of my desert island dishes.”
During an appearance on BBC Breakfast on Christmas Day, she told presenter Jon Kay that she now simply refers to the machine as “you-know-what”.
Before revealing how she is now often approached by members of the public who explain her own family's mispronunciation
She previously revealed she was avoiding the word “microwave” altogether after stunning viewers of her show Eat, Cook, Repeat
London-born domestic goddess Nigella caused a stir several times throughout the BBC2 series when she said “Meecro-Wahvey”, from a recipe for buttered toast to adding licorice balls to cheesecake.
As she added butter to the rich mashed potatoes, Nigella explained to fans: “I need some more whole milk that I warmed up in the Meecro-Wah-Vey.”
The pronunciation is largely similar to the way the word is spoken in Italian and Spanish, but it is not clear whether Nigella was joking or whether this is her usual intonation.
Many fans quickly took to Twitter to comment on the bizarre exchange. Some branded her a hero while others were more taken aback.
“The way @Nigella_Lawson just pronounced 'microwave' is a defining moment of 2020. #CookEatRepeat,” one said.
“From now on, 'Mecrowavay' will forever remain in my vocabulary and microwave will no longer exist. Queen @Nigella_Lawson has spoken,” joked another.
As she added butter to the rich mashed potatoes, Nigella explained to fans: “I need some more whole milk that I warmed up in the Meecro-Wah-Vey.”
“And the country obeyed.” “From now on, #meecrowavaay is the new nationwide rollout,” said a third.
“@Nigella_Lawson's microwave pronunciation cracked me up, I LOVE it,” another added.
“Meekro-wave – brilliant!! Plus, I didn’t know I needed a mechanical potato masher in my life,” one commented.
“The word of the day is mee-cro-wah-vay: an electronic device for heating things, courtesy of Nigella Lawson,” said one.
Hilarious: Many fans quickly took to Twitter to comment on the bizarre exchange. Some branded her a hero while others were more taken aback
Others described her as “legendary,” adding that it made her “cry.”
“I think an iconic phrase will forever stay up there as my favorite moment and memory of 2020 – I don't think I'll ever be able to call it microwave again,” one said.
“That made me cry. My humor also comes from mispronouncing words,” said another.
“Tonight's episode is the gift that keeps on giving: Meekrowaav-A,” joked a third.
Unique: While Nigella mixed the rich mashed potatoes with butter, she explained to fans: “I need some more whole milk – which I warmed up in the Meecro-Wah-Vey.”