Thursday, February 12, 2009

Words That Make You Go Hmmm

Let's ignore the fact that I've titled this post with the highly ungrammatical "make you go" and simply ponder the following word pronunciations with which the general public seems enamored:

  • February (feb-roo-er-ee): aka feb-yoo-er-ee *noun
    the second month of the year, ordinarily containing 28 days, but containing 29 days in leap years.
  • Coupon (kōō'pŏn'): aka kyoo-pon
    noun

    a portion of a certificate... entitling the holder to something, as a gift or discount, or for use as an order blank, a contest entry form, etc.
  • Library (lahy-brer-ee): aka layh-berry
    noun
    1.

    a room where books are kept; "they had brandy in the library"
  • Nuclear (noo-klee-er): aka noo-kyuh-ler**
    adjective
    Operated or powered by atomic energy.
  • Ask (ask): aka ax or aks
    verb
    to pose a question or inquire
  • Suite (sweet): aka soot
    noun
    a set of furniture, esp. a set comprising the basic furniture necessary for one room: a bedroom suite. ***
... "Just saying." Don't get me started on this and other such gems as, "What's your social?" and "It's all good."

* 28/29 days a year of hearing this.
** See POTUS 43
*** My "bedroom soot/suit" does not generally involve furniture. My bedroom suite does.

- Your Friendly Neighborhood Language Curmudgeon

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