100 Most Mispronounced Words

Paul in Cannon Beach

Check out this list: [url]http://www.yourdictionary.com/library/mispron.html[/url]

I bet everyone mispronounces at least 10 of these.

For example, how many of us say "perogative" instead of "prerogative".

What really amazed me was the word "often". The t is apparently silent. I did not know that. My whole life has been a lie.

HRinNH

...sadly my relationship with Laura Norder must now end.

jitrbug

I think a lot depends on the part of the country for instance in Texas it is "bob" wire and nobody corrects it! I like the voluptuous vs volumptuous! I guess if you say it fast enough your safe!

ray a

Irregardless of this list it is my perogative to pronounce words anyway I want.

jitrbug

Amen! xclap

HRinNH

I don't mean to be persnickety but for all intensive purposes you are!

jitrbug

HR...Interesting point to make on that word.....Mr. Webster does put the s in there!

atrimble

Okay, time to reveal something: I misuse or mispronounce only five things on this list. One of my hobbies (while showering or driving, etc.) is dissecting the English language. From where did a word or saying come? Why did Joe use that phrase? I also practice proper pronounciation in the privacy of my car or bathroom when I learn a new word. I understand this is just a compulsion of mine. But sometimes it gets out of hand and I am correcting someone's speech (grammar and pronounciation) before I even realize it, and I sometime piss off friends. It's a painful condition, I tell you... x;-)

My five? Parliament, spit and image, herb, champ at the bit, and diphtheria. I also used to mispronounce "oyster" and "onion" ('ois-chur) and ('ung-yun).

(By the way, "dissect" is pronounced (dih-'sekt) with a short i and the accent on syllable #2.)

Paul in Cannon Beach

Who are these word Nazis that get to decide the "correct" way a word is pronounced anyway?

If I want to say:

ofTen
nucular
liberry
yogrut
Warshington
OreGONE

I will, dang it.

If the actor Ralph Fiennes can insist that his name is pronounced "Ray Fines" than all bets are off.

By the way, have you heard that SHRM wants us all to say "S-H-R-M" and not "Sherm"?

ray a

OK, how would you pronounce the first name of this famous composer?

Ralph Vaughn Williams

HRinNH

Rolf ??

ray a

Rafe

HRinGA

oh, "nother" is my worst one. I cringe everytime I say it but I can't help it! It just comes out.

HRinNH

Oh, and what about "yous guys'". It's almost as cute as "all yall's"...almost.

Paul in Cannon Beach

I tried to say the word "debuting" as in:

"Our new website will be debuting April 15th."

Is that even a word? It didnt sound right and saying it three times didnt make it better.

Is the "t" silent"?

ray a

I don't know, but it does make you a debutant.

HRinNH

I believe it's pronounced day-byooing and dictionary.com says it means:

1. A first public appearance, as of a performer.
2. The formal presentation of a young woman to society.
3. The beginning of a course of action: the debut of a new foreign policy.

atrimble

>"Our new website will be debuting April 15th."

I think I'd rephrase it to "Our new website opens April 15th." As the term [i]debut[/i] traditionally has referred to the human act of being first presented in society (hence the term [i]debutant[/i]), I think would refrain from applying it to inanimate objects. Merriam Webster provides this etymology: French [i]début[/i], from [i]débuter[/i] to begin, from Middle French [i]desbuter[/i] to play first, from [i]des- de-[/i] + [i]but[/i] starting point, goal.

Goal? Where's the start line?

ray a

I tried to get Paul going the other day. A debutante is a young woman being introduced to society. A debutant (with the e) is someone of either gender being introduced in some fashion.

HRinNH

yep. see #16

DeidreFR5

I looked up a few words in dictionary.com, they don't agree with some pronunciation (ie often does have a "t"). Duck tape is a company name for its duct tape product.

Paul in Cannon Beach

You mean you can't believe everything you read on the internet?

System

Its a MOOT point, not "mute" - unless of course you can't hear....

HRinNH

I've heard it pronounced that way but I never have nor does Merriam-Webster on-line:

Main Entry: 1mute
Pronunciation: 'myüt
Function: adjective
1 : unable to speak : DUMB
2 : characterized by absence of speech: as a : felt or experienced but not expressed b : refusing to plead directly or stand trial
3 : remaining silent, undiscovered, or unrecognized
4 a : contributing nothing to the pronunciation of a word b : contributing to the pronunciation of a word but not representing the nucleus of a syllable

System

look up MOOT; as in insignificant, disputed or inconsequential. Therefore, it is a moot point, not a mute point as many pronounce it.

HRinNH

I didn't know moot was a word. The definition doesn't spell out what you are saying but maybe it's explained better in your dictionary.

Main Entry: 1moot
Pronunciation: 'müt
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English mOt, gemOt; akin to Middle High German muoze meeting
1 : a deliberative assembly primarily for the administration of justice; especially : one held by the freemen of an Anglo-Saxon community
2 obsolete : ARGUMENT, DISCUSSION

atrimble

I like dictionary.com:
moot (moot)
n.: 1. Law. A hypothetical case argued by law students as an exercise. 2. An ancient English meeting, especially a representative meeting of the freemen of a shire.

tr.v.: moot•ed, moot•ing, moots - 1a. To bring up as a subject for discussion or debate. 1b. To discuss or debate. 2. Law. To plead or argue (a case) in a moot court.

adj.: 1. Subject to debate; arguable: a moot question. 2a. Law. Without legal significance, through having been previously decided or settled. 2b. Of no practical importance; irrelevant.

System

Thanks atrimble. The definition "of no practicle importance;irrelevant" is the most applicable to the phrase "its a moot point". So, my point is, stop saying "mute" point.........