Mispronunciations That Drive You Nuts

No Stars In My Eyes · Apr 10, 2015

Amongst the non-cursing folks here-abouts, "dad-blame", "dad-gem", and "gol-dern" are pretty popular.

I have managed to curtail my previously marine-influenced cursing, and now say things like "Oh, Fudge Ripple!", Hellman's mayo!" and "God bless America!" in place of other less acceptable things which often came bubbling out, like suggestions about what could be done to a duck. (blush)

Did learn a thing or two from a long-term patient, who had about thirty different emphases and tones of voice to make, "Oh, Come ON!" sound just exactly like the worst thing you could ever possibly say!

While these aren't exactly mispronunciations, I put 'em in here 'enyways'.

But a mispronunciation that does make my teeth grind just a hair is FLEA-BITE-US.

ixchel · Apr 10, 2015

No Stars In My Eyes said:

Amongst the non-cursing folks here-abouts, "dad-blame", "dad-gem", and "gol-dern" are pretty popular.
I have managed to curtail my previously marine-influenced cursing, and now say things like "Oh, Fudge Ripple!", Hellman's mayo!" and "God bless America!" in place of other less acceptable things which often came bubbling out, like suggestions about what could be done to a duck. (blush)

Did learn a thing or two from a long-term patient, who had about thirty different emphases and tones of voice to make, "Oh, Come ON!" sound just exactly like the worst thing you could ever possibly say!

While these aren't exactly mispronunciations, I put 'em in here 'enyways'.

But a mispronunciation that does make my teeth grind just a hair is FLEA-BITE-US.

Your addition is totally welcome and has made me giggle in the pharmacy while I am sitting, waiting in a corner by myself.

I had a boss who would say, "balls!" to avoid profanity. Every single time, I'd giggle like the perv I am and picture dangly testicles.

Which reminds me..... Have you seen the Katherine Heigl "I hate balls" video? Totally worth the thread derailment. Let me find a link....

Eta: boooo it won't play from other sites! Go to ihateballs.com. This is not safe for work and probably not kids.

ixchel · Apr 10, 2015

If that video is against tos, sincerely, I am sorry! If I can defend it, spaying and neutering pets can be labeled as a public health issue.

BrandonLPN, LPN · Apr 10, 2015

ixchel said:

Are you sure about that?
Eta: I think both are accepted. Forte - Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary

its a French word.... forte means 'strong' in French, and is pronounced more or less like the English word 'fort'.

If you want to get technical, 'forte' with an 'e' is the feminine version of the word. The masculine version of the word would be 'fort' (no e) and would be prounounced similar to English number 'four'.

In order to be prounounced 'for-tay', the word would have to end in an 'e' with an accent aigu over it, which I don't know how to type on my iPad. (All probably more than anyone wanted to know)

ixchel · Apr 10, 2015

its a French word.... forte means 'strong' in French, and is pronounced more or less like the English word 'fort'.
If you want to get technical, 'forte' with an 'e' is the feminine version of the word. The masculine version of the word would be 'fort' (no e) and would be prounounced similar to English number 'four'.
In order to be prounounced 'for-tay', the word would have to end in an 'e' with an accent aigu over it, which I don't know how to type on my iPad. (All probably more than anyone wanted to know)

Alright, Mr. Smarty pants, in French, adding the letter E means the last consonant is pronounced, but not the E, without the accent, so you have me there.

Farawyn · Apr 10, 2015

Your addition is totally welcome and has made me giggle in the pharmacy while I am sitting, waiting in a corner by myself.
I had a boss who would say, "balls!" to avoid profanity. Every single time, I'd giggle like the perv I am and picture dangly testicles.
Which reminds me..... Have you seen the Katherine Heigl "I hate balls" video? Totally worth the thread derailment. Let me find a link....
Eta: boooo it won't play from other sites!!! Go to ihateballs.com. This is not safe for work and probably not kids.

I like balls bettern Katherine Heigl.

BrandonLPN, LPN · Apr 10, 2015

Alright, Mr. Smarty pants, in French, adding the letter E means the last consonant is pronounced, but not the E, without the accent, so you have me there.

I have French and Turkish on my mind, cause I'm totally into the free app Duolingo on my iPad these days. It's a really cool, free app and it's very addictive. The little bird thing keeps reminding me when I haven't met my daily quota. Great fun for anyone who likes languages. And I suppose it's a more constructive time waster than candy crush.

AZBlueBell · Apr 10, 2015

I'm not even sure which is the correct pronunciation but my first teacher said pyruvate as pie-ruh-vate and so now I can't get over it when other people say it as pie-roo-vate :)

vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN · Apr 12, 2015

BrandonLPN said:

And I suppose it's a more constructive time waster than candy crush.

But you can learn a lot from playing trivia crack! I'm sure that counts as continuing education when you get a high science score!!

ixchel · Apr 12, 2015

I'm not even sure which is the correct pronunciation but my first teacher said pyruvate as pie-ruh-vate and so now I can't get over it when other people say it as pie-roo-vate :)

It's even better when it's pie-roo-veeate.

cuba757 · Apr 12, 2015

I haven't read through all the comments so I'm not sure if this word has been mentioned. It silently drives me crazy when people mispronounce "peripheral" by saying "per-ri-fe-al".

FlyingScot, RN · Apr 12, 2015

BrandonLPN said:

In order to be prounounced 'for-tay', the word would have to end in an 'e' with an accent aigu over it, which I don't know how to type on my iPad. (All probably more than anyone wanted to know)

Press and hold the letter you want to put an accent character over and options will pop up.

C'est plus facile!