Prior to opting for a career with the provincial government, I was a radio announcer, starting at CFQC, Saskatoon, and then on to CKRM, Regina, next stop was CFJC, Kamloops, until I finally arrived at CJVI in Victoria.

Radio was an interesting work environment but in the '50s and '60s, the salaries weren't good, the hours were long (no union), no statutory holidays, and job security was limited. But the appeal of being part of "show business" was just as great then as it is today. And it certainly had its lighter moments.

Radio announcers will tell you that spoonerisms are an occupational hazard. It purportedly started with a Rev. Spooner, in a small family church in Eastern Canada, when he noted one Sunday from the pulpit, "I see that some of you are occupewing the wrong py." Spoonerisms are always funny (except to management), always unintentional, and sometimes a little off colour. An example of the latter was the McGavin's Bread slogan "For the best in bread" - more than once it became "For the breast in bed."

One morning, our weather forecast included "the possibility of shattered scowers." A chap phoned the station and told the receptionist he had planned to go fishing and he wanted to know what in hell a shattered scower was. Sportscasters also had their slips of the tongue - like the chap who reported that - "Today in Major League baseball there were two gay dames." It cracks everyone up and often the announcer can't keep going. And then there was the Red Cross slogan - "The nurd is eegent."

Some spoonerisms were of major consequence and jobs were on the line. The classic of American broadcasting took place many years ago. Imagine how the NBC announcer felt when he said the following: "Ladies and gentlemen - from the Oval Office in the Nation's White House - here is the President of the United States - Mr. Hoobert Hever." Or the BBC announcer who introduced the Chancellor of the Exchequer, "Sir Stifford Crapps?"  Another tongue twister of national import took place in our own backyard - a CBC announcer concluded an address by the Prime Minister with - "This is the Canadian Broadcorping Castration." He was never heard from again.

When broadcasters retire, they have fond memories of the celebrities they interviewed, the talk shows they hosted, and the music programs they DJ’d. They also have their own particular faux pas that are recalled with humour, and a sense of guilt. At CJVI many moons ago, I said the following: "Ladies and gentlemen we now bring you, from Salt Lake City, the famous Moron Tablenakker choir." I laughed so long and so hard I was unable to introduce the songs - the control room engineer ran them one after the other.

My most embarrassing spoonerism took place at CKRM in Regina. The management and sales staff had worked for months trying to get a major sponsor for our noon hour news. They finally landed one - it was a big bucks contract. I announced the initial newscast as follows: "CKRM is pleased to bring you the Noon News - with our new and popular sponsor – Jordan’s Drug and Rape Shop."

The station's management and the sponsors were not amused - the other announcers thought it was hilarious.

OCTOBER 2011 SENIOR LIVING MAGAZINE VANCOUVER ISLAND