Nigella Lawson has explained away her unique pronunciation of the word "microwave" as a family joke.
A clip from her new show Cook, Eat, Repeat went viral after viewers noted her saying "mee-cro-wah-vay" when referring to the kitchen appliance.
The scene showed Nigella explaining how to whip up brown butter colcannon - veg filled mash potato - to her legions of foodie fans.
As she brought out the milk, Nigella told viewers that she'd heated it up in the "mee-cro-wah-vay" - prompting fans to wonder if she believes that's how to pronounce the word.
"2020 has thrown a lot of curveballs at us but I was truly not expecting the way Nigella Lawson says microwave to be one of them," one viewer laughed.
Now Nigella has taken to social media to explain the strange episode.
When one fan asked about it, she replied: "I know. On purpose."
She added, in response to another fan: "Well, I do say it like that, but not because that's how I think it's actually pronounced.
"I don't know. A camp joke that becomes habit."
Nigella's rep has even shared a statement on her pronunciation, telling: "In a nutshell, it's how Nigella refers to the microwave at home.
"It's a bit of a family joke."
Fans were loving the scene when it aired on Monday night.
"The way @Nigella_Lawson just pronounced 'microwave' is a defining moment of 2020. #CookEatRepeat," one tweeted.
Another joked: "I love that last night @Nigella_Lawson let us know we've been saying microwave incorrectly this whole time. A public service."
"Henceforth, 'mecrowavay' shall forever be in my vocabulary and microwave will cease to exist Queen @Nigella_Lawson has spoken," a third laughed.
"Thank you and good night."
"How do I set Nigella Lawson’s pronunciation of microwave as my ringtone?" a fourth queried.
And despite the bizarre talking point, Nigella's new show racked up impressive figures as fans looked to her for festive food inspiration.
