re: Laughter and catcher
You caught my attention ("au" or "ou"?), Mary Anne!
I have a french-english dictionary but because I'm so often typing in english, and use it a lot, the book got a little damaged and is now away for repair....
When I read the names of the regulars, I'm sure sometimes the way I think the name must be pronounced could be quite surprising.
(BTW, for Rene Descartes, we say "Ranay Daycart":-)
For instance, Mark Eby is Mark Ay-bee in my mind; Baikie is "Baykeea" (in french pronounced like "bequilles" which are crutches:)
Raoul Lannoy (or The Nut (la noix:))