# Words We Pronounce Wrong But Nobody Cares **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 31, 2019, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-we-pronounce-wrong-but-nobody-cares/831807 "2019-03-31T14:08:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2019, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-we-pronounce-wrong-but-nobody-cares/831807/1 "2019-03-31T14:08:33Z")
I can think of two words (well, a word and a phrase) that just about every American pronounces wrong, but no one seems to care anymore and it just goes on. Note that I’m not talking about dialectical differences here, so let’s not have every Brit come in and remind us that we pronounce “al-u-MIN-i-um” wrong or something like that. 1. Notre Dame (university in Indiana, churches and cathedrals here and there). With the university especially, everyone pronounces it “NOTE-er DAME” even though it should be “NOTE-ruh DAHM,” even without leaning into a French accent. 2. Boston Celtics (basketball team in some East Coast city): the tribe are the Celts (Kelts), the language they speak/spoke is/was Celtic (KELT-ic), and in every context except when referring to the team, it’s pronounced properly. But for the team everyone is OK with saying “SELL-tics.” What are some others? ---
**Author:** ![bizerta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@bizerta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bizerta)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2019, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-we-pronounce-wrong-but-nobody-cares/831807/2 "2019-03-31T14:20:39Z")
Orangutan v orangatang; Ostridge v. ostrich ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2019, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-we-pronounce-wrong-but-nobody-cares/831807/3 "2019-03-31T14:26:30Z")
> [@HeyHomie](#): > > I can think of two words (well, a word and a phrase) that just about every American pronounces wrong, but no one seems to care anymore and it just goes on. > > Note that I’m not talking about dialectical differences here, so let’s not have every Brit come in and remind us that we pronounce “al-u-MIN-i-um” wrong or something like that. > > 1. Notre Dame (university in Indiana, churches and cathedrals here and there). With the university especially, everyone pronounces it “NOTE-er DAME” even though it should be “NOTE-ruh DAHM,” even without leaning into a French accent. > > 2. Boston Celtics (basketball team in some East Coast city): the tribe are the Celts (Kelts), the language they speak/spoke is/was Celtic (KELT-ic), and in every context except when referring to the team, it’s pronounced properly. But for the team everyone is OK with saying “SELL-tics.” > > What are some others? I must be the “nobody” referred to in the thread title. I always internally pronounce the Boston basketball team’s name as KEL-tics (when I read it; the subject doesn’t come up in conversations I’m involved in very often). Similarly, whenever I hear “Notre Dame” being pronounced as though by Pat O’Brien (even on a radio or television), I speak up and correct it. I also do that when I hear “San Pedro” pronounced as “San PEE-dro.” ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2019, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-we-pronounce-wrong-but-nobody-cares/831807/4 "2019-03-31T14:34:41Z")
Wheelbarrow. Most people pronounce it “wheelbarrel.” ---
**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 31, 2019, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-we-pronounce-wrong-but-nobody-cares/831807/5 "2019-03-31T14:39:48Z")
There is NO I after the V in mischievous, but people keep pronouncing it miss-chee-vee-us. Readers who pronounce it so are encouraged to check any dictionary. Everybody on the Food Network mispronounces plantain. Its second syllable is the same as in mountain, captain, and fountain, I’m certain. Again, a quick look in the dictionary is advised for scoffers. ---
**Author:** ![Bayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bayaker/32/3454_2.png) [@Bayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bayaker)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2019, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-we-pronounce-wrong-but-nobody-cares/831807/6 "2019-03-31T14:40:43Z")
The pronunciation of _Notre Dame_ in English is not governed by the French Academy. _Dame_ is an English word of longstanding, and _Notre_ in everyday pronunciation follows the same pattern as words like _theatre_. The common pronunciation of _Celtic_ changed sometime in the mid-20th century. When the Boston Celtics were founded the “K” pronunciation was used only by a few academics, but that sound gradually took over as the most common pronunciation. Neither is “wrong”. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2019, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-we-pronounce-wrong-but-nobody-cares/831807/7 "2019-03-31T14:41:56Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > Wheelbarrow. Most people pronounce it “wheelbarrel.” I don’t know about most, but there are a lot of people who think the word is “wheelbarrel”. Not too surprising, if you recall the movie To Sir With Love, Sir did not know what a barrow was. As for the OP, Notre Dame and Celtics are pronounced correctly. They’re names, you don’t get to decide how they are pronounced. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2019, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-we-pronounce-wrong-but-nobody-cares/831807/8 "2019-03-31T14:45:46Z")
Forte ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2019, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-we-pronounce-wrong-but-nobody-cares/831807/9 "2019-03-31T14:45:48Z")
God, help us all! “Possum” and “opossum” seem to be changing places and/or both are becoming acceptable. Except in Australia. ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2019, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-we-pronounce-wrong-but-nobody-cares/831807/10 "2019-03-31T14:51:27Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > As for the OP, Notre Dame and Celtics are pronounced correctly. They’re names, you don’t get to decide how they are pronounced. I disagree. If your team’s mascot is an Irish fellow - viz, a Celt (Kelt) - then your team should be pronounced as the “KELL-tics.” If I go to Ireland and ask where I can see ancient SELL-tic ruins, I’m just going to get confused looks. Similarly, if you’re going to name your university after something French, at least try to approximate the French pronunciation. I’m not saying you need to twist your tongue and throat into whatever godawful configurations the French expect you to to get it right, but at least make a half-assed effort. ---
**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:** [March 31, 2019, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-we-pronounce-wrong-but-nobody-cares/831807/11 "2019-03-31T14:58:36Z")
How did sherbet and lozenge get an extra r apiece? In the case of “sherbert,” the explanation is the linguistic process of assimilation (which operates in opposition to dissimilation, eg. library\>libary or February\>Febuary), but for “lozenger” I have no idea. Not only pronouncing but spelling chaise longue as chaise “lounge.” The UK gets it right, why can’t America? And don’t even get me started on “lingerie.” :rolleyes: Seriously, America, WTF? ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2019, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-we-pronounce-wrong-but-nobody-cares/831807/12 "2019-03-31T15:03:29Z")
> [@Bayaker](#): > > The common pronunciation of _Celtic_ changed sometime in the mid-20th century. When the Boston Celtics were founded the “K” pronunciation was used only by a few academics, but that sound gradually took over as the most common pronunciation. Neither is “wrong”. This is absolutely correct. What bothers me isn’t the pronunciation of the C, it’s the whole word. Adj.: Celtic. Noun: Celt. The ancient Celts, not the ancient Celtics. It’s like saying “The Florida Spanishes” rather than “the Spaniards.” Or the Chineses, the Japaneses, the Frenches, the Britishes, etc. Just because it words with most adjectives (e.g. Americans) doesn’t mean it works with every adjective. Buy a dictionary, people. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2019, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-we-pronounce-wrong-but-nobody-cares/831807/13 "2019-03-31T15:07:09Z")
> [@HeyHomie](#): > > I disagree. If your team’s mascot is an Irish fellow - viz, a Celt (Kelt) - then your team should be pronounced as the “KELL-tics.” If I go to Ireland and ask where I can see ancient SELL-tic ruins, I’m just going to get confused looks. Are the [Scots](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celtic_F.C.)not also Celts (Hell, that team has Irish roots, even)? ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2019, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-we-pronounce-wrong-but-nobody-cares/831807/14 "2019-03-31T15:15:06Z")
> [@HeyHomie](#): > > I disagree. If your team’s mascot is an Irish fellow - viz, a Celt (Kelt) - then your team should be pronounced as the “KELL-tics.” If I go to Ireland and ask where I can see ancient SELL-tic ruins, I’m just going to get confused looks. > > Similarly, if you’re going to name your university after something French, at least try to approximate the French pronunciation. I’m not saying you need to twist your tongue and throat into whatever godawful configurations the French expect you to to get it right, but at least make a half-assed effort. If you want to find SELL-tics you go to Boston, not Ireland. And if you want to see the Fighting Irish you go to a school with a French based name pronounced NOTER DAME. Language isn’t as simple as you would like it to be. ---
**Author:** ![DorkVader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2019, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-we-pronounce-wrong-but-nobody-cares/831807/15 "2019-03-31T15:31:49Z")
> [@Johanna](#): > > How did sherbet and lozenge get an extra r apiece? In the case of “sherbert,” the explanation is the linguistic process of assimilation (which operates in opposition to dissimilation, eg. library\>libary or February\>Febuary), but for “lozenger” I have no idea. > > Not only pronouncing but spelling chaise longue as chaise “lounge.” The UK gets it right, why can’t America? > > And don’t even get me started on “lingerie.” :rolleyes: Seriously, America, WTF? Wait, whut? Who the hell says lozenger for lozenge? I have never heard this in any part of the country that I’ve lived in. Bizarre. As for the sofa, it’s not a chaise longue, its a lounge in the “chaise style”, typically these days, but not always, part of a larger sectional sofa, couch…davenport? ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2019, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-we-pronounce-wrong-but-nobody-cares/831807/16 "2019-03-31T15:32:07Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > If you want to find SELL-tics you go to Boston, not Ireland. …except for [all the Irish football clubs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celtic#Sports) named after the Scottish one. ---
**Author:** ![Arcite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/67e7ee/32.png) [@Arcite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arcite)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2019, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-we-pronounce-wrong-but-nobody-cares/831807/17 "2019-03-31T15:36:33Z")
> [@guestchaz](#): > > Wait, whut? Who the hell says lozenger for lozenge? I have never heard this in any part of the country that I’ve lived in. Bizarre. I’ve never heard “lozenger,” but I have heard the plural misprounced as “lozengers” rather than “lozenges.” I supposed it’s possible there are people who heard that, then back-formed the singular to be “lozenger.” ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2019, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-we-pronounce-wrong-but-nobody-cares/831807/18 "2019-03-31T15:42:20Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > …except for [all the Irish football clubs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celtic#Sports) named after the Scottish one. Noted. The world doesn’t like to follow rules, one man’s football is another man’s soccer. And now you can get corned beef in Ireland because visiting Mercans think it’s an Irish dish. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2019, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-we-pronounce-wrong-but-nobody-cares/831807/19 "2019-03-31T15:47:26Z")
The OS Linux. Per the original pronunciation guide back in the 90s you were supposed to pronounce how you pronounced the name Linus but with the “s” replaced by a “ks” sound. Since Linus Torvalds knew of two common pronunciations of his name, this gave two legit pronunciations: “European” one: Lee-necks. “American” one: Lie-neks. (The old [garbo.uwasa.fi](http://garbo.uwasa.fi) FTP site had sound files of Linus saying these.) Somehow the mispronunciation “Ly-nucks” started appearing. At one point the Linux Journal carried a disclaimer that while there were aware of the correct pronunciations, yet most staffers used the “other” pronunciation. This of course leads to the usual idiocy of people “correcting” those who pronounce it right. ---
**Author:** ![ticker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d07c76/32.png) [@ticker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ticker)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2019, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-we-pronounce-wrong-but-nobody-cares/831807/20 "2019-03-31T15:52:43Z")
Vincent van Gogh would be pronounced vun KHOKH in his native Dutch, though apparently van GOKH would be an acceptable compromise for english speakers. Certainly not the British van GOFF or American van GO. The later always sounds to my ears like a typically American mangling of a French pronunciation, but why one would choose the French for a Dutch man is beyond me. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-we-pronounce-wrong-but-nobody-cares/831807.md?page=2)