22 Words and Phrases You’re Most Likely Mispronouncing | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

22 Words and Phrases You’re Most Likely Mispronouncing

As told by J-Law

Elise Powers
Sep 29, 2015
Western Washington University
89
22 Words and Phrases You’re Most Likely Mispronouncing
usmagazine.com

English is tricky. With all the different dialectical variations within the Unites States, some words and phrases are bound to have different (or multiple) pronunciations. While it is completely natural and awesome to pronounce things differently, there are a few expressions that have gotten mushed around or misheard so often that many people aren’t sure what the exact pronunciation is. Here’s a list of 22 commonly mispronounced words, with commentary by Jennifer Lawrence to express the general confusion and disorientation that most of us are probably experiencing in response to this article.


1. “Espresso”

Incorrect: EX-presso

Correct: ES-presso


2. “For all intents and purposes”

Incorrect: For all intensIVE purposes

Correct: For all intents and purposes


3. “Statute of limitations”

Incorrect: Statue of limitations

Correct: StatUTE of limitations


4. “Scapegoat”

Incorrect: Escape goat

Correct: Scapegoat


5. “Nip it in the bud”

Incorrect: Nip it in the butt

Correct: Nip it in the BUD


6. “One and the same”

Incorrect: One in the same

Correct: One AND the same


7. “Acai”

Incorrect: AhK-EYE

Correct: Ah-sah-EE


8. “Bruschetta”

Incorrect: Broo-SHET-ah

Correct: Broo-SKET-ah


9. “Antarctic”

Incorrect: Ant-AR-tic

Correct: Ant-ARC-tic


10. “It’s a dog eat dog world”

Incorrect: It’s a doggy dog world

Correct: It’s a DOG-EAT-DOG world


11. “Taken for granted”

Incorrect: Taken for granITE

Correct: Taken for granTED


12. “Et cetera”

Incorrect: Excetra

Correct: ET-cetera


13. "Across"

Incorrect: AcrossED

Correct: Ah-CROSS


14. “Barbed wire”

Incorrect: Bob wire

Correct: Barbed wire


15. “Cavalry”

Incorrect: CAL-valry

Correct: CAV-alry


16. “Escape”

Incorrect: EX-cape

Correct: ES-cape


17. “Mayonnaise”

Incorrect: Man-AYz

Correct: Mayo- NAYz


18. “Sherbet”

Incorrect: Sher-BERT

Correct: Sher-BET


19. “Spit and image”

Incorrect: Spitting image

Correct: Spit AND image


20. “Try a different tack”

Incorrect: Try a different TACT

Correct: Try a different TACK


21. “Utmost”

Incorrect: UP-most

Correct- UhT-most


22. “Supposedly”

Incorrect: SupposABLY

Correct- SupposEDLY


Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

AI music threatens creativity

The Soul of Sound: How AI Challenges Human Expression in Music

347736
Humans and robots face off in a rock band battle with guitars and drums, under dynamic lighting.
StableDiffusion

In an age where artificial intelligence can mimic the voice of Freddie Mercury or reimagine pop hits as synthwave ballads, a new frontier has emerged — one that blurs the line between innovation and erosion. While AI offers undeniable benefits in technical domains, its intrusion into creative arts, especially music, raises urgent questions. Not just about copyright, but about culture, education, and the very soul of artistic expression.


Keep Reading...Show less
ai generated music
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

Miami University
683557
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
music
Entertainment

Why Your Astrological Sign May Not Match Your Personality

We are all more than just one sign.

SUNY Plattsburgh
598876
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
astrology
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

UNC Greensboro
582005
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
spring
Relationships

The Importance Of Being A Good Person

An open letter to the good-hearted people.

Sacred Heart University
867746
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
good person

Trending Topics

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments