# Words You've Read But Never Heard Said **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 8, 2024, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-youve-read-but-never-heard-said/995769 "2024-01-08T12:02:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2024, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-youve-read-but-never-heard-said/995769/61 "2024-01-09T16:28:27Z")
“Blackguard” - shows up a lot in old comic books. ---
**Author:** ![eburacum45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eburacum45/32/8690_2.png) [@eburacum45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eburacum45)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2024, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-youve-read-but-never-heard-said/995769/62 "2024-01-09T16:34:34Z")
> [@Treppenwitz](#): > > This may be specifically British: there is a clothing (footwear?) brand called Nike. An unusual move, naming your brand in such a way that nobody can confidently say it. There are only two ways I’ve heard it pronounced: > > “_Nike_ [rhymes with Mike] _or however you say it_”; and > “_Nike_ [rhymes with Mikey] _or however you say it_” Nike was the ancient Greek goddess of victory, and her name was pronounced Nikey or Nikay (nǐː.kɛː). But it sure looks like it rhymes with Mike. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2024, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-youve-read-but-never-heard-said/995769/63 "2024-01-09T16:58:48Z")
> [@commasense](#): > > Please tell me how this is pronounced. I’ve wondered ever since I first saw it. I’ve heard it’s the same as “own,” just spelled wrong. Pone. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2024, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-youve-read-but-never-heard-said/995769/64 "2024-01-09T17:58:29Z")
One I mentioned in a similar thread: I was familiar with the written word ‘segue’, and knew its meaning as ‘a transition from one thing to another’. But I did not know its proper pronunciation. If you asked me, I probably would have said ‘soog’ or ‘seg-yew’. I was also familiar with the spoken word pronounced ‘segway’. and also knew its meaning as ‘a transition from one thing to another’. But, though it may seem obvious, I was well into my adulthood when I finally learned the word ‘segue’ is pronounced ‘segway’ and is one and the same as the word I had heard pronounced. It didn’t help my confusion that the scooter brand name was phonetically spelled ‘Segway’. ---
**Author:** ![Moonrise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moonrise/32/14764_2.png) [@Moonrise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonrise)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2024, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-youve-read-but-never-heard-said/995769/65 "2024-01-09T18:11:58Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > How did you hear it? I’ve been working in landscape/horticulture for 35 years and never heard it pronounced differently from lye-LAK. Were you thinking lee-LAK? Yes, that’s it. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2024, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-youve-read-but-never-heard-said/995769/66 "2024-01-09T18:26:10Z")
> [@commasense](#): > > I’ve heard it’s the same as “own,” just spelled wrong. That’s the origin, then it came to jokingly mean “super-owned” and I’ve heard people (and used it) in speech as “Powned” (phoned with a p- sound, no h). It’s nothing I’d expect to hear outside the context of playing a game with friends and saying “hah, get pwned”. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2024, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-youve-read-but-never-heard-said/995769/67 "2024-01-09T18:48:17Z")
For years I pronounced turmeric as ‘ter-MARE-ic’ before finally learning it’s ‘TER-mer-ic’. Mrs. Solost pronounces it ‘TOO-mer-ic’, which is closer than how I used to pronounce it. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2024, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-youve-read-but-never-heard-said/995769/68 "2024-01-09T19:08:16Z")
> [@solost](#): > > But, though it may seem obvious, I was well into my adulthood when I finally learned the word ‘segue’ is pronounced ‘segway’ and is one and the same as the word I had heard pronounced. It didn’t help my confusion that the scooter brand name was phonetically spelled ‘Segway’. Oh for criminy’s sake, it’s gotta be ‘seg-yew’, surely?!? 🤬 ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2024, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-youve-read-but-never-heard-said/995769/69 "2024-01-09T19:13:43Z")
> [@solost](#): > > I was well into my adulthood when I finally learned the word ‘segue’ is pronounced ‘segway’ TIL - in my mid 60’s. j ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2024, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-youve-read-but-never-heard-said/995769/70 "2024-01-09T19:17:55Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > I’ve been working in landscape/horticulture for 35 years and never heard it pronounced differently from lye-LAK. Were you thinking lee-LAK? Huh. I’ve always pronounced it LYE-Lock. ---
**Author:** ![Rebo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rebo/32/13005_2.png) [@Rebo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rebo)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2024, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-youve-read-but-never-heard-said/995769/71 "2024-01-09T19:42:37Z")
I heard the word “duodenum” on Jeopardy once. So I saw it spelled and pronounced. Imagine my surprise when they said “doo-oh-DEE-num” instead of “doo-AH-den-um.” I’ve told the story of my giving a told-in-front-of-the-class report on the poem The Ancient Ma-REEN-er. I’m still traumatized… ---
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2024, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-youve-read-but-never-heard-said/995769/72 "2024-01-09T19:44:00Z")
There must be hundreds of such words but I can only think of one offhand. On an episode of _Picket Fences_ I saw recently, one of the characters pronounced _certiorari_ (an act of a court granting an appeal, pronounced something like “sir-she-a-RAH-ree”) and I realized I’d never heard it pronounced before. I’ve heard _ecru_ pronounced before in the context of needlework (it’s a common color of embroidery floss). I’ve heard _etui_ pronounced before, but only on _Jeopardy!_. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2024, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-youve-read-but-never-heard-said/995769/73 "2024-01-09T19:53:59Z")
> [@Spice\_Weasel](#): > > I’ve always pronounced it LYE-Lock Ok, that I’ve heard as well. Lack is apparectly correct but I wouldn’t pause (or correct) someone saying “Lock” ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2024, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-youve-read-but-never-heard-said/995769/74 "2024-01-09T20:00:38Z")
I often have the opposite problem. I listen to tons of audiobooks, and have had cases where I’ve only heard the word. When I see it in print it takes a minute to realize I know that word (chimera would be a good example). ---
**Author:** ![MrAtoz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MrAtoz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrAtoz)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2024, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-youve-read-but-never-heard-said/995769/75 "2024-01-09T20:01:18Z")
> [@Rebo](#): > > I heard the word “duodenum” on Jeopardy once. So I saw it spelled and pronounced. Imagine my surprise when they said “doo-oh-DEE-num” instead of “doo-AH-den-um. On MASH, Colonel Potter pronounced it as “doo-AH-den-um.” I trust Sherm Potter over either Alex Trebek or Ken Jennings. ---
**Author:** ![Rebo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rebo/32/13005_2.png) [@Rebo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rebo)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2024, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-youve-read-but-never-heard-said/995769/76 "2024-01-09T20:11:43Z")
I have found just now there are both pronunciations out in the wild! I love not being wrong. And I agree, Colonel Potter was a very smart man. ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2024, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-youve-read-but-never-heard-said/995769/77 "2024-01-09T21:19:30Z")
> [@MrAtoz](#): > > > [@Rebo](#): > > > > I heard the word “duodenum” on Jeopardy once. So I saw it spelled and pronounced. Imagine my surprise when they said “doo-oh-DEE-num” instead of “doo-AH-den-um. > > On MASH, Colonel Potter pronounced it as “doo-AH-den-um.” I trust Sherm Potter over either Alex Trebek or Ken Jennings. How about Weird Al? [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/cTui9LGWT4E/maxresdefault.jpg "Pancreas") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTui9LGWT4E) (2:34) ---
**Author:** ![2\_More\_Bits](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/2_more_bits/32/4148_2.png) [@2\_More\_Bits](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2_More_Bits)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2024, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-youve-read-but-never-heard-said/995769/78 "2024-01-09T21:27:03Z")
The town of Greenwich NJ is pronounced “green witch.” So there you go! ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2024, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-youve-read-but-never-heard-said/995769/79 "2024-01-09T21:50:34Z")
> [@Love\_Rhombus](#): > > I was working on a crossword, and one of the answers was “tang.” I’ve seen it used in books, “There was a tang of salt on the sea air” and such, but I’ve never heard anyone actually use it in conversation. Back in the day of it being a very popular powdered fruit juice mix, we used it a lot. > [@Love\_Rhombus](#): > > A few others are “abomination”, “chimera”, Both used in role playing games, but not in reality. > [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > Similarly, as a youngster I’d always assumed that Greenwich Village was pronounced Green Witch. The Brit mispronounce a lot of geographic names. Of course, after centuries, I guess those mispronunciations are now the correct one. Cholmondeley is said as “chum-lee”! 🤪 There is no way you can get these from the spelling. > **[10 most mispronounced place names in the UK revealed](https://www.times-series.co.uk/news/23778689.uks-mispronounced-places-names-revealed-preply/)** > > The language experts at Preply have conducted a study to reveal the most mispronounced UK place names. > [@Dallas\_Jones](#): > > Defenestration. > > No matter how many people that you throw out of a window, the word never seems to come up, not in police reports or causal conversation. Not if you read news about Russia. > [@commasense](#): > > One plural form of octopus is octopodes, which I assumed was pronounced as it appears: OCK-to-podes, emphasis on the first syllable. Since marine biologists pronounce it as “octopuses” , you were both wrong. 🤪 ---
**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:** [January 9, 2024, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-youve-read-but-never-heard-said/995769/80 "2024-01-09T22:11:25Z")
> [@dirtball](#): > > Detritus. Never having heard anyone say it but having seen it on various occasions, I thought it was DET-rih-tus. Then, a while back, we were watching _Wilfred_, and he busted out with deh-TRY-tus. Oh, wow. Never would have guessed. Well, sunovabitch. I’ve always pronounced it DET-rih-tus, like you. Like a poster above, I’ve also pronounced “chimera” as “CHIM-uh-ruh” not “ky-MEER-uh”. I also was surprised when I first heard “simulacrum” in conversation for the first time. I’ve always said it “sih-MULE-uh-crum” (or thereabouts) to myself; turns out it’s more like “sih-myuh-LACK-rum.” Also, as a kid, I said “oh-reh-GAH-no” for “oregano” and was somewhat vindicated when I visited across the pond (the US says “oh-REH-guh-no”). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-youve-read-but-never-heard-said/995769.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-youve-read-but-never-heard-said/995769.md?page=5)