Top 10 Mispronounced Words

We’re guessing Italian waiters and waitresses worldwide are tired of English speakers adding a ‘sh’ to what should be a ‘skuh’ sound in this word, commonly calling it bruschetta. Referring to a popular antipasto dish comprised of garlic-rubbed bread covered with tomatoes and olive oil, bruschetta is a staple at Italian restaurants everywhere. Unfortunately, this starter has been ordered incorrectly for so long and rolls so well off the tongue that it may forever be butchered in English. But, if you want to impress your wait staff or your Italian relatives, repeat after me: “broo-sketta.”

Maybe some mischievous imp added an extra “I” to the pronunciation of this word at some point in history as a prank to see how far it got – and frankly, it got pretty far. Many people pronounce this word mischievious instead of mischievous, and somehow that adds extra emphasis to its meaning. Some theories suggest it’s because of more popular words like “previous” and a general lack of words ending in “-vous” that we feel the need to add the extra sound. The Oxford English Dictionary believes this word has been mispronounced since the 1500s, so we’ll forgive you for getting this one wrong.

It means the leaves of trees or plants, and it’s not a word you’d think would give people problems. But, in what is a classic case of metathesis – where the sounds or syllables of a word are rearranged – the position of the “L” and the “I” are often swapped to produce a vastly different sounding word. We now have FOILage not FOLIage and, although we know what you mean, that’s not the proper way of saying the word. It’s probably not a term you’ll be using too often; but it’s worth keeping in mind the correct pronunciation for your next garden party.

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#7: February
Common Mispronunciation: Feb-yoo-ary or Feb-ree
Correct Pronunciation: Feb-roo-ary

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A word that is used so much and said incorrectly so often that the correct pronunciation doesn’t even sound right. Who knew a simple calendar month could be so tricky? Simply saying Feb-ree or Feb-yoo-ary rolls of the tongue far better than the tricky Feb-roo-ary. So difficult is the correct pronunciation, in fact, that Britons voted it as the 12th most mispronounced word, ahead of words that are hardly ever be used like onomatopoeia. However, because “Feb-yoo-ary” is so common, it’s now widely accepted as correct. Shall we just do the month a favor and call it Febtember? Or Febtober?

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#6: Nuclear
Common Mispronunciation: Noo-kyoo-lar
Correct Pronunciation: Noo-klee-ar

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A word so commonly mispronounced that several dictionaries have addressed the discrepancy, the inconsistency between “nuclear” and “nucular” may be influenced by the pronunciation of common English-language words like ocular, particular and circular. While “nucular” is considered incorrect by authorities on the topic, we still hear it coming from the mouths of highly educated sources like scientists and even U.S. presidents – although some linguists suggest that men like George W. Bush use the term to appeal to the masses with his folksy-ness. This one’s a case of that pesky metathesis at work once again causing havoc in the English language.

The English language uses so many words adapted from different languages, and as a result parts of a word often get changed in translation or simply mispronounced. This is the case with mauve, as the ‘au’ often gets confused with an ‘aw’ sound. This actually makes logical sense, if following the example of words like cause and pause. However, this word is derived from Old French, and therefore it is pronounced “mow-ve.” It’s a light shade of purple so if you’re ever unsure, just say that instead.

As soon as you reverse the “K” and “S,” many will wrongly peg you as poor or uneducated. However, this variation on the word “ask” has actually existed for over 1,000 years; it’s an alternative of the word that was used in one of the first English translations of the bible and by classic authors like Geoffrey Chaucer. Some linguists suggest that its use today in certain cultures, specifically by African-Americans, was adopted as almost an appropriation of language that had been forced on them. While it is still technically wrong in modern English, it remains a powerful indicator of identity.

It’s not that “supposably” is not a word, although it’s not; it’s that the fake word “supposably” has a different meaning to the word that people are actually attempting to say. “Supposedly” pertains to something that is generally believed or accepted as truth, whereas “supposably” means something that is possible. The fact that this mispronunciation has gotten so far that the phony word has earned its own meaning is pretty impressive. However, our advice? Just stay away from “supposably” completely; it’s more trouble than it’s worth.

Where did that “X” come from?! This mispronunciation likely comes from a few sources: 1) it’s feasible that the French word for espresso – expresso – has bled into the English language. 2) Expresso may also be drawn from the word “express,” which means fast and for you only – both terms that can be applied to the preparation of the beverage. It does almost sound a little better with “S” with an “X,” and undoubtedly you’ll be understood whichever way you say it; but this must be the number one pet peeve for baristas around the world.

Before we mispronounce our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:

- Jalapeño
Common Mispronunciation: Jala-penno
Correct Pronunciation: Hala-pay-nyo

- Jewelry
Common Mispronunciation: Jew-el-ry
Correct Pronunciation: Jew-el-er-y

- Salmon
Common Mispronunciation: Sal-mon
Correct Pronunciation: Sa-mon

- Sword
Common Mispronunciation: Sw-ord
Correct Pronunciation: Sord

- Gnocchi
Common Mispronunciation: Knock-ee
Correct Pronunciation: Nyawk-kee

Kwinoah? Well, that has to be it, how else would you say it? Queen-o? Wait, what? It’s Keenwah? For those of you fluent in Quechuan, the native tongue of an indigenous population of South America, the pronunciation will be second nature; but for the rest of us, it’s not quite so obvious. Originally cultivated by the people of the Andes Mountains between 3,000-4,000 years ago, this seed is now touted as a superfood by some – unfortunately, a large number of those people aren’t pronouncing it correctly. For a mispronounced feast, be sure to order brushetta and kwinoah with an expresso to wash it down.

Do you agree with our list? We’ve surely overlooked one tricky word or two; what common mispronunciations would be on your list? For more perfectly narrated top 10s, be sure to visit WatchMojo.com.