Basil

[swag]

[Sock Puppet]

1. I used to say it like Basil Fawlty

But everyone looked at me funny. So now I say it with a long a.

[swag]

2. I say it with the short a.

Soupcart John says it with a long a, though, and it makes me wince.

[GCP]

3. Short a when I'm at home

Long a when I'm asking for it in a store - I'm British.

[ashling]

4. The herb or the nut?

:rofl:

[racaulk]

5. Toni

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

6. Rathbone

[meegbear]

8. Fawlty

[stuntcat]

10. LOL I was gonna say

she's Basil with the short A.
I just looked up her pictures but this one BEATS ALL :rofl:

[racaulk]

16. I love the expression on her face in that pic!

:rofl:

[Dr. Strange]

14. Oh racaulk, you're so fine,

You're so fine you blow my mind.

[racaulk]

17. You take me by the heart when you take me by the hand.

:hi:

[ailsagirl]

7. Webster says either one is fine

http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/basil

You can even hear the different pronunciations...

[swag]

9. You liberals and your moral relativism.

[Auggie]

11. Baysil as in herb. Bahsil as in Rathbone.

[Iggo]

15. Correct.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

18. Herb or Erb?

nt

[Redneck Socialist]

12. I like it fine, but not in the ratatouille. n/t

[FloridaJudy]

13. Bay'-zil in the spice jar

Baa'-zil in the Sherlock Holmes get-up (and Baa'-zil Fawlty all in the hotel with disease).