Bristol L
The Bristol L is a feature of the Bristolian accent in which an "l" sound is added to the end of words that end in a vowel, so that "idea" sounds like "ideal" and "area" like "aerial". Locals joke that they are the only people who can turn "Asia" into "Asial".
In practice
The effect is strongest in traditional Bristolian speech and can be heard in everyday words such as "cinema" and "banana". A popular story says the city's own name is the result: Bristol grew from the Old English Brycgstow, "the place at the bridge", later written Bristow, and the final "l" is said to have crept in through the local accent. Historians agree the name comes from Brycgstow; the role of the accent in adding the "l" is a well-loved explanation rather than a settled fact.
Why it matters to newcomers
If you hear about a "good ideal" in a meeting, it is a good idea. The Bristol L is a favourite piece of local trivia and a friendly way to start talking about the city.
Related
- Bristolian - the accent it belongs to
- Gert lush - more Bristol speech
- Where's it to? - another local grammar feature
Source: Wiktionary: Bristolian.