Is that F for Freddie? The Phonetic Alphabet
Is that F for Freddie? The Phonetic Alphabet
Jul 15
Spelling out a name or reference over the phone can be tricky.
Do you struggle on the telephone giving a reference number or spelling of a name, when on the telephone? It can be really difficult if the line is bad or if the person on the other end of the line has a strong accent. If so the Phonetic Alphabet is a pretty universal way to spell out something and be understood. It is also far more professional to use than struggling with M for Mother D for Dog and Z for Zebra, lets face it isn’t dignified making it up as you go along. We hope that you will find this guide useful. It is the NATO standard and widely recognised.
A – Alpha
B – Bravo
C – Charlie
D – Delta
E – Echo
F – Foxtrot
G – Golf
H – Hotel
I – India
J- Juliet
K – Kilo
L – Lima
M – Mike
N – November
O – Oscar
P – Papa
Q – Quebec
R – Romeo
S – Sierra
T – Tango
U – Uniform
V – Victor
W – Whiskey
X – X Ray
Y – Yankee
Z – Zulu
I often use it when giving post codes when I’m on the phone to HMRC, etc. I’m fine with my own but sometimes struggle with client’s postcodes. I can never remember L.
If I’m bored I’ll try and do it all with animals and see if HMRC have a sense of humour – rarely works.