100 Most Often Mispronounced Words...

[iamaelephant]

Originally posted by: Goosemaster
"nuquler" gets on my nerves

Thought you left? :roll:

 

[Born2bwire]

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: sandorski

Originally posted by: iamaelephant
The "forte" one is just plain wrong, sorry to dissappoint.

From Merriam Webster:

Main Entry: forte
Pronunciation: 'fOrt, 'fort; 2 is often 'for-"tA or for-'tA or 'for-tE
Function: noun
Etymology: French fort, from fort, adjective, strong
1 : the part of a sword or foil blade that is between the middle and the hilt and that is the strongest part of the blade
2 : one's strong point
usage In forte we have a word derived from French that in its "strong point" sense has no entirely satisfactory pronunciation. Usage writers have denigrated \'for-"tA\ and \'for-tE\ because they reflect the influence of the Italian-derived forte. Their recommended pronunciation \'fort\, however, does not exactly reflect French either: the French would write the word le fort and would rhyme it with English for. So you can take your choice, knowing that someone somewhere will dislike whichever variant you choose. All are standard, however. In British English \'fo-"tA\ and \'fot\ predominate; \'for-"tA\ and \for-'tA\ are probably the most frequent pronunciations in American English.

Thanks. I was pretty sure that "forte" was correct, I mean "Not my fort" sounds stupid.

I think this (and several others) are a case of the the "official" pronunciation being modified to reflect common usage. The spelling, definition and pronunciation of words often changes to reflect common usage, because there is no official governing body that defines the English language.

So apparantly the people who made up this list are "purists" and would rather we use the original pronunciation.

The word myriad has an interesting history. I believe it was originally a noun ("a myriad of _______"), then poets started using it as an adjective ("myriad ______s") leading some to believe that was the proper usage. Now it has swung back to being a noun which is the way most people use it, but some pretentious people insist that the only "proper" way to use it is as an adjective. Silly people.

I have to admit, I have never heard anyone say "fort" but rather "for-tay." And personally, I will still say "for-tay" because if I did start saying "fort," nobody would have a damn clue about what I'm talking about. When in Rome...

EDIT: Ha, was on a conference call and one of the engineers sayed "for-tay."

 

[dbunder]

obviously (odviously), nuclear (nucular), and the phrase "i couldn't care less" makes me want to punch people in the throat whenever they say it. who and whom are very often misused as well.

 

[Minjin]

Originally posted by: dbunder
obviously (odviously), nuclear (nucular), and the phrase "i couldn't care less" makes me want to punch people in the throat whenever they say it. who and whom are very often misused as well.

Whats wrong with "I couldn't care less"? It means exactly what it says...

Mark

 

[sswingle]

I didn't see Linsky Rooter on the list

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: Minjin

Originally posted by: dbunder
obviously (odviously), nuclear (nucular), and the phrase "i couldn't care less" makes me want to punch people in the throat whenever they say it. who and whom are very often misused as well.

Whats wrong with "I couldn't care less"? It means exactly what it says...

Mark

Yeah, I think he meant "I could care less." I've never heard "odviously," that's rather "odd." Our president is the worst offender on "nucular," and I'd like to see someone punch him in the throat. Really, I would.

 

[dbunder]

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: Minjin

Originally posted by: dbunder
obviously (odviously), nuclear (nucular), and the phrase "i couldn't care less" makes me want to punch people in the throat whenever they say it. who and whom are very often misused as well.

Whats wrong with "I couldn't care less"? It means exactly what it says...

Mark

Yeah, I think he meant "I could care less." I've never heard "odviously," that's rather "odd." Our president is the worst offender on "nucular," and I'd like to see someone punch him in the throat. Really, I would.

ahem. i hadn't had my coffee. i meant when people say "i could care less" when they mean couldn't.

oh, and the president. yes, yes, right in the throat. kung fu action.