# What words tie your tongue in knots when you try to say them? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 20, 2005, 8:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-words-tie-your-tongue-in-knots-when-you-try-to-say-them/331903 "2005-11-20T08:56:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2005, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-words-tie-your-tongue-in-knots-when-you-try-to-say-them/331903/41 "2005-11-21T13:18:36Z")
Specific. I cannot pronounce that word. I just say “pacific” and be done with it. ---
**Author:** ![Trunk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/87869e/32.png) [@Trunk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trunk)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2005, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-words-tie-your-tongue-in-knots-when-you-try-to-say-them/331903/42 "2005-11-21T13:57:19Z")
“Similarly” I used to have a friend that said “similarily”. (sim-i-lair-i-lee) That’s actually easier to say. ---
**Author:** ![VegemiteMoose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/df788c/32.png) [@VegemiteMoose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VegemiteMoose)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2005, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-words-tie-your-tongue-in-knots-when-you-try-to-say-them/331903/43 "2005-11-21T14:15:18Z")
Magna-monius, errrr, I mean magna-nanamous. Dammit! \*\* deep breath \*\* Magnanimous. ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2005, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-words-tie-your-tongue-in-knots-when-you-try-to-say-them/331903/44 "2005-11-21T15:15:53Z")
**Sunspace** , the secret to pronouncing those ungodly consonant clusters in Armenian and Georgian is simply to insert schwa sounds between the consonants as needed. But Tibetan pronunciation — good grief, that stuff is bizarrely gnarly and impossible to figure out! ---
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2005, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-words-tie-your-tongue-in-knots-when-you-try-to-say-them/331903/45 "2005-11-21T15:33:59Z")
I can never pronounce **statistics** or **prescriptions** without tripping over my tongue and/or stuttering. So I usually just say _stats_ and _scripts_. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2005, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-words-tie-your-tongue-in-knots-when-you-try-to-say-them/331903/46 "2005-11-21T15:40:40Z")
> [@sneezy5660](#): > > I have trouble with linoleum (naloleum), and tabernacle (tablnacker). I only need tabernacle when I am talking about the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, and for the other I just say floor covering. Just say **vinyl flooring** , the use of which has virtually completely replaced that of true linoleum. Linoleum hasn’t been widely used since the 1950s. Cites: > **[Definition of LINOLEUM](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/linoleum)** > > a floor covering made by laying on a burlap or canvas backing a mixture of solidified linseed oil with gums, cork dust or wood flour or both, and usually pigments; a material similar to linoleum… See the full definition > **[Linoleum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linoleum)** > > Linoleum, commonly shortened to lino, is a floor covering made from materials such as solidified linseed oil (linoxyn), pine resin, ground cork dust, sawdust, and mineral fillers such as calcium carbonate, most commonly on a burlap or canvas backing. Pigments are often added to the materials to create the desired colour finish. > The finest linoleum floors, known as "inlaid", are extremely durable, and are made by joining and inlaying solid pieces of linoleum. Cheaper patterned linoleum comes in d... ---
**Author:** ![ComeToTheDarkSideWeHaveCookies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ComeToTheDarkSideWeHaveCookies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ComeToTheDarkSideWeHaveCookies)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2005, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-words-tie-your-tongue-in-knots-when-you-try-to-say-them/331903/47 "2005-11-21T15:50:28Z")
Pretty much any time I say **brewery** , I sound like I’ve spent a few days drinking in one. ---
**Author:** ![Wnabtokio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b487fb/32.png) [@Wnabtokio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wnabtokio)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2005, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-words-tie-your-tongue-in-knots-when-you-try-to-say-them/331903/48 "2005-11-21T16:46:31Z")
_delurk_ I have wiped from my lexicon the words “femininity” and “anonymity”. Just too much trouble to say and not be laughed at. _commences lurking_ ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2005, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-words-tie-your-tongue-in-knots-when-you-try-to-say-them/331903/49 "2005-11-21T17:39:54Z")
“Cellular” Somehow I get stuck with seau-you-yur [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-words-tie-your-tongue-in-knots-when-you-try-to-say-them/331903.md?page=2)