10 Everyday Terms You Might Be Saying Wrong

Have you ever been unsure about how to pronounce a word? It’s nothing to worry about. Even the most proficient English speakers fumble—and pronunciations evolve with time. Check if you’ve been saying these everyday terms incorrectly.

Seuss

Pseudonyms can sometimes add to the confusion. Theodore Geisel’s friend Alexander Liang crafted a verse to help you get the pronunciation of Dr. Seuss’s name right:

“You’re wrong as the deuceAnd you shouldn't rejoiceIf you're calling him SeussHe pronounces it ‘Soice.’”

Kibosh

Let’s settle the debate—this word should be pronounced “KY-bosh” or “ky-BOSH,” not “kuh-BOSH” or “kih-BOSH.”

Comptroller

This term is pronounced just like controller. If you feel the urge to say the silent -mp-, take a moment to comptrol yourself!

Celtic

These days, the hard “k” sound is the norm for the first c in Celtic, as noted by Merriam-Webster, though the “s” pronunciation historically came first. However, when referring to the Boston Celtics, always go with “SELL-tick.”

Cache

Perhaps it’s because it’s just one letter away from cachet, or maybe mispronouncing it is simply more amusing. Regardless, cache should be pronounced exactly like cash—the e remains silent.

Chicanery

This term, which means “deception through trickery,” is fittingly challenging to say. The ch- sounds like “sh,” similar to Chicago. While the French say it as “shih-connery,” Americans typically pronounce it as “shih-CANE-er-ee.”

Banal

Merriam-Webster notes that there are multiple acceptable ways to pronounce this word. The most common variations include “BAY-nul,” “buh-NAHL,” and “buh-NAL” (rhyming with canal).

Affluent

While some insist on saying it as “uh-FLOO-ent,” the correct emphasis is meant to be on the first syllable—“AFF-loo-ent.” However, the second-syllable stress became so widespread that dictionaries eventually accepted it as valid.

Boatswain

Alright, so perhaps this term—which Merriam-Webster describes as “a petty officer on a merchant ship responsible for hull maintenance and related tasks”—isn’t used frequently (unless you’re a fan of Below Deck). But now that you know it’s pronounced “BO-sun,” you might find more opportunities to use it in conversation. Boatswain is a prime example of a misle.

Niche

When this term was adopted from French in the 17th century, it was quickly anglicized to rhyme with itch. However, in the 20th century, many began favoring a more authentic French pronunciation, saying it as “NEESH.” Today, both versions are considered correct.

Test Your Skills with These Often Mispronounced Names:

This article originally appeared in 2013 and has been updated for 2024.