SUSIE DENT's Pronunciation Secrets Revealed

The Art of Pronunciation: A Guide to Common Mispronunciations

Pronunciation is a topic that often sparks heated debates, especially when it comes to words with foreign origins. From the way we say "Moët" to the correct pronunciation of "Nike," there's a lot to get right—and a lot to get wrong. Here’s a guide to some of the most common pronunciation conundrums, along with tips on how to sound more polished.

Nike

The sportswear giant is often mispronounced, but the company has clarified that it should be said as 'NY-kee.' This follows the Greek goddess of victory, who inspired the brand’s name. So, next time you’re talking about your favorite sneakers, remember to say it like the Greeks do.

Ginsters

This popular pasty-maker might sound like it has something to do with gin, but the correct pronunciation is with a hard 'g,' making it 'JIN-sters.'

Porsche

If you're talking about the German car manufacturer, make sure to pronounce it as 'Paw-shuh' instead of 'Pawsh.' The Germans would definitely agree with this pronunciation.

Bruschetta

This Italian dish is pronounced 'brus-KETTA,' with the 'ch' sounding as hard as the bread itself.

Pronunciation

Ironically, the word 'pronunciation' is often mispronounced as 'pro-NOUNCE-iation' instead of the correct 'pro-NUNCE-iation.'

Chipotle

This hot chilli sauce from Mexican cuisine is pronounced 'chuh-POT-lay.' The name comes from the Aztec language of Nahuatl.

Quinoa

Another exotic ingredient, quinoa is pronounced 'KEEN-waa.'

Epitome

This word, borrowed from Greek, means the perfect example of something. It ends with 'me' rather than 'tome.'

Zebra

The Daily Mail's sketch writer Quentin Letts suggests that 'zeebra' is only acceptable if you're Inspector Clouseau in a lingerie shop.

Loewe

This luxury Spanish fashion house has a German name, leading to a unique pronunciation of 'low-WEY-vey.'

Espresso

When ordering an espresso, remember that it's from the Italian for coffee that's 'pressed out.' It's not 'expresso,' no matter how quickly you want it.

Nuclear

Despite Homer Simpson's best efforts, 'nuclear' is pronounced 'NYOO-klee-uh,' not 'NYOO-ku-lar.'

Hyperbole

This Greek word for exaggeration is often confused with 'superbowl.' The correct pronunciation is 'hi-PER-buh-lee.'

Probably

Thanks to a process called 'haplology,' 'probably' is often shortened to 'probly.' The same goes for 'library' becoming 'libry' and 'secretary' turning into 'secretry.'

Lieutenant

The British English pronunciation of 'lieutenant' is 'LEF-tenant,' while the American version is 'LOO-tenant.' The British version stems from a historical misreading of the 'u' in 'lieu.'

Privacy

In British English, 'privacy' is now commonly pronounced as 'PRY-vasy,' alongside the traditional 'PRIV-uh-see.'

Prescription

From the Latin for 'writing before,' 'prescription' should be 'PRE-scription,' not 'PER-scription.'

Lingerie

The French word 'lingerie' is often given a Del-boy twang, but the correct pronunciation is 'LAN-zhuh-ree.'

Arctic

The 'c' in 'Arctic' is pronounced, coming from the Greek 'artikos,' meaning 'bear.'

Schedule

In British English, 'schedule' starts with 'shed,' not 'sked.'

Kilometre

British English favors 'KILL-oh-meter,' while US English uses 'kill-OMM-eter.'

Route

In British English, 'route' is pronounced 'root,' not 'rout,' which means a decisive defeat.

Skeleton

The word 'skeleton' is often mispronounced as 'skellington,' thanks to the 'intrusive n' that has become part of the word.

Athletic

There is no '-er' in 'athletic'; it's often mispronounced as 'atherletic.'

Veterinary

The word 'veterinary' is often swallowed into 'VET-inary,' but the standard pronunciation is 'VET-er-inary.'

Scone

The correct pronunciation of 'scone' is a topic of much debate. It can rhyme with 'gone' or 'cone,' depending on where you are in the country.

Other Common Mispronunciations

• Garage vs. Herbs: The UK and US have different pronunciations for these words.
• Pacific vs. Specific: A common mispronunciation that can cause confusion.
• Incinerating vs. Insinuating: Another example of a mispronunciation that can lead to misunderstandings.
• Chicken Kiev: A dish that sparks debates among foodies and TV viewers alike.

Understanding the correct pronunciation of these words can help you sound more confident and articulate. Whether you're ordering a drink, discussing a meal, or simply chatting with friends, getting the pronunciation right can make all the difference.