# How do YOU pronounce these words? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 3, 2014, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-pronounce-these-words/682761 "2014-03-03T17:32:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2014, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-pronounce-these-words/682761/41 "2014-03-04T15:20:51Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > Only to people who don’t understand how language works. > (I mean, there are errors but expresso and sherbert are not examples of them.) To expand a little: I admit that “expresso” slightly grates on my ears, but if I tried to use the “correct” pronunciation of “sherbet” around here, it would cause momentary confusion, so what’s the point of using the “correct” pronunciation if it’s an impediment to understanding? I don’t think it was until college or so that I found out “sure-bit” was an acceptable pronunciation, and if I had heard it pronounced that way before that, I would ask the speaker what he is describing if it wasn’t clear from context. And then I’d still wonder if it’s some sort of variation of “sherbert” like “sorbet” or something. ---
**Author:** ![OurLordPeace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e8c25b/32.png) [@OurLordPeace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OurLordPeace)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2014, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-pronounce-these-words/682761/42 "2014-03-04T16:09:53Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > Only to people who don’t understand how language works. > (I mean, there are errors but expresso and sherbert are not examples of them.) The words are espresso and sherbet, not expresso and sherbert. How are those not errors? ---
**Author:** ![OurLordPeace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e8c25b/32.png) [@OurLordPeace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OurLordPeace)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2014, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-pronounce-these-words/682761/43 "2014-03-04T16:12:02Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > To expand a little: I admit that “expresso” slightly grates on my ears, but if I tried to use the “correct” pronunciation of “sherbet” around here, it would cause momentary confusion, so what’s the point of using the “correct” pronunciation if it’s an impediment to understanding? I don’t think it was until college or so that I found out “sure-bit” was an acceptable pronunciation, and if I had heard it pronounced that way before that, I would ask the speaker what he is describing if it wasn’t clear from context. And then I’d still wonder if it’s some sort of variation of “sherbert” like “sorbet” or something. The point is that it’s always better to be correct. Those who say it incorrectly are the ones with a problem understanding, not you. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2014, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-pronounce-these-words/682761/44 "2014-03-04T16:41:34Z")
> [@OurLordPeace](#): > > The words are espresso and sherbet, not expresso and sherbert. How are those not errors? Because there are english speakers who pronounce them expresso and sherbert which makes them correct english pronunciations. Espresso and sherbet are also correct english pronunciations. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2014, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-pronounce-these-words/682761/45 "2014-03-04T16:50:27Z")
> [@OurLordPeace](#): > > The point is that it’s always better to be correct. Those who say it incorrectly are the ones with a problem understanding, not you. How does one determine what is correct? ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2014, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-pronounce-these-words/682761/46 "2014-03-04T16:51:58Z")
> [@SciFiSam](#): > > Yeah, it’s et followed by s that’s the issue, not et in itself. We have plenty of words that start with ex and no other common words that start with ets. I wonder if part of the problem is people thinking of “et cetera” as one word rather than two (“et” followed by “cetera”). I b **et s** ome of us could think of plenty of examples of “ets” spanning two words. > [@pulykamell](#): > > But I’ve honestly never heard “sure-bit.” Not that I get into a lot of conversations about sherbet, but the ones I do with the people I do with always include the “r” in the second syllable. I wonder if this is a regionalism. (Same for some of the other pronunciations in this thread.) > [@](#): > > Dachshund is always an interesting one, too. I say DOCKS-und, but most people around me say “DASH-und” or “DASH-hound,” even people who own them. To anyone who knows German, it’s obviously Dachs-hund, but for those who don’t, I can understand why they’d try to stick an “sh” sound in there somewhere. > [@OurLordPeace](#): > > The words are espresso and sherbet, not expresso and sherbert. How are those not errors? Good question: what determines whether a particular pronunciation counts as an “error”? ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2014, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-pronounce-these-words/682761/47 "2014-03-04T17:07:08Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > Good question: what determines whether a particular pronunciation counts as an “error”? Whether it’s used or not. That’s the linguistic definition, however a lot of people operate on a “I don’t care for it, therefore it’s wrong” policy. ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2014, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-pronounce-these-words/682761/48 "2014-03-04T17:27:14Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > To expand a little: I admit that “expresso” slightly grates on my ears, but if I tried to use the “correct” pronunciation of “sherbet” around here, it would cause momentary confusion, so what’s the point of using the “correct” pronunciation if it’s an impediment to understanding? I don’t think it was until college or so that I found out “sure-bit” was an acceptable pronunciation, and if I had heard it pronounced that way before that, I would ask the speaker what he is describing if it wasn’t clear from context. And then I’d still wonder if it’s some sort of variation of “sherbert” like “sorbet” or something. My contention is that it is BETTER objectively to pronounce it as “ex-presso”. Just like many words have roots in similar words and meanings, and therefore makes more sense, the word “express” conjures speed, efficiency, and alertness, all things that the beverage espresso helps. Its a stimulant, and stimulants make one fast on their feet and quick in their mind. “espress” is not a word, it has no meaning outside of itself. But “express” conveys that meaning perfectly. You know, I think based on that, I’m going to purposefully try to change the pronunciation of that word to “ex-presso”, it just makes more sense However, I do acknowledge that it is wrong, I just think it makes it better that way ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2014, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-pronounce-these-words/682761/49 "2014-03-04T17:28:39Z")
**Niche** rhymes with fish **Mature** with a tch sound **Cache** cash **Adirondacks** : ad-uh-RON-dax **Fetish** feh-tish **Cthulhu** Kuh-too-loo **Et cetera** et cetera **February** feb-ru-airy **Sherbet** sorbay ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2014, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-pronounce-these-words/682761/50 "2014-03-04T17:29:53Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > Whether it’s used or not. Is there a certain number of people who have to pronounce it that way before it’s no longer considered an error? Or is “throat-warbler mangrove” a non-erroneous pronunciation of “sherbet” if even one person says it that way? ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2014, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-pronounce-these-words/682761/51 "2014-03-04T17:34:31Z")
Yeah, somewhere between 2 and everyone. If you happen to know that when someone says throat-warbler mangrove, they mean sherbert, what’s the problem? ---
**Author:** ![Crotalus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crotalus/32/41_2.png) [@Crotalus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crotalus)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2014, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-pronounce-these-words/682761/52 "2014-03-04T17:36:34Z")
Niche neesh or nitch, more or less randomly Mature Ma-chure Cache cash Adirondacks adda-RON-dacks Fetish short E Cthulhu I don’t expect to ever need to pronounce this Et cetera et cetera February feb-ru-airy Sherbet sherbet. The bert version is a pet peeve. ---
**Author:** ![california\_jobcase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@california\_jobcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/california_jobcase)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2014, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-pronounce-these-words/682761/53 "2014-03-04T17:42:02Z")
Do people who add the extra (improper) R to sherbet also add the extra (also improper) I to mischievous? ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2014, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-pronounce-these-words/682761/54 "2014-03-04T17:42:42Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > Yeah, somewhere between 2 and everyone. If you happen to know that when someone says throat-warbler mangrove, they mean sherbert, what’s the problem? Just curiosity (for theoretical, not practical, reasons) over where the line is drawn between a _variant_ or _alternative_ pronunciation, and an _error_ or _incorrect_ pronunciation. If I say that Columbus discovered America in 1942, and you know that I really meant 1492, I still spoke erroneously. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2014, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-pronounce-these-words/682761/55 "2014-03-04T17:45:06Z")
Because to the extent that people think about what they’re saying, when they say /ʃərbərt/ they meant /ʃərbərt/? ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2014, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-pronounce-these-words/682761/56 "2014-03-04T18:32:54Z")
> [@](#): > > How do YOU pronounce these words? Niche: nItʃ Mature: mǝtʃur Cache: kæʃ (same as the word for currency) Adirondacks: ædɚɑndæks Fetish: fɛtIʃ Cthulhu: kʔθulhu Et cetera: ɛt sɛtɚǝ February: fɛbjuwɛri Sherbet: ʃɚbɛt of these, I’m not sure my pronunciation of February is considered correct, but it’s obviously very common; I have no idea what the desired pronunciation of Cthulhu is, I just attack it the way it’s written, with a glottal stop between the k sound and the th sound. ---
**Author:** ![Whiskey\_Dickens](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/9fc348/32.png) [@Whiskey\_Dickens](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whiskey_Dickens)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2014, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-pronounce-these-words/682761/57 "2014-03-04T19:08:24Z")
Regarding “cache” versus “cash”; When you hear someone saying “cash-AY,” that’s an entirely separate word, folks. I’m surprised that no one else picked up on that. They’re probably saying “cachet” unless context indicates the speaker is completely off-base. ---
**Author:** ![Whiskey\_Dickens](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/9fc348/32.png) [@Whiskey\_Dickens](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whiskey_Dickens)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2014, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-pronounce-these-words/682761/58 "2014-03-04T19:40:15Z")
> [@Whiskey\_Dickens](#): > > Regarding “cache” versus “cash”; > When you hear someone saying “cash-AY,” that’s an entirely separate word, folks. I’m surprised that no one else picked up on that. They’re probably saying “cachet” unless context indicates the speaker is completely off-base. Uh, except for the fact that it’s in the OP, and I’m slinking away. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2014, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-pronounce-these-words/682761/59 "2014-03-04T19:40:26Z")
> [@california\_jobcase](#): > > Do people who add the extra (improper) R to sherbet also add the extra (also improper) I to mischievous? I personally don’t. As for whether “sherbert” is a regional pronunciation, I’m sure it’s more popular in some regions than others, but it seems to be spread all across the US, from my experience. I’ve found a few polls online about sherbert vs sherbet, and the majority seems to be in the “second r” side. Like [here’s one from a livejournal of a Yale student](http://comeseptember.livejournal.com/152191.html). I’d venture to guess “sherbert” is the more common pronunciation in the US. And I’ve found lots of posters saying they’ve never heard “sherbet” or wouldn’t know what it was in conversation, but none saying the reverse. So that’s my hunch. ETA: Heck, there’s even [two](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=487738) [threads](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=530061) here about it, and the second-r pronunciation seems to be more common. ---
**Author:** ![Crotalus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crotalus/32/41_2.png) [@Crotalus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crotalus)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2014, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-pronounce-these-words/682761/60 "2014-03-04T19:45:46Z")
> [@Whiskey\_Dickens](#): > > Uh, except for the fact that it’s in the OP, and I’m slinking away. Aw, stick around. We all do it from time to time. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-pronounce-these-words/682761.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-pronounce-these-words/682761.md?page=4)