Just saw a news headline that said "Rupert Murdoch attacked whilst giving evidence to MPs (www.thejournal.ie)". I was surprised to see the word "whilst" used. Does one pronounce it with a short "i" or a long "i"; left on my own, I'd say "short". Is is still common, and are there rules for when one uses instead of the common US "while".

Thanks,

Maryanne

PS: I love this thread, and keep coming back to it. I hope it doesn't go off on a Murdock tangent.