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Mispronouncing words is a common occurrence when speaking English, as spelling doesn't always align with pronunciation. This can lead to awkward moments when attempting to say a word you've only encountered in writing. The confusion deepens when regional variations create entirely different pronunciations, such as with the word caramel.
As reported by Eat This, Not That!, the word caramel has at least two widely recognized pronunciations in the U.S. In the Southeast and East Coast, people often refer to the chewy or brittle brown candy as car-uh-mel. Meanwhile, residents of western and northern states typically skip the middle syllable, calling it car-mel.
In the UK, the pronunciation takes yet another twist. The first syllable is often pronounced as care (as in care-a-mel), contrasting with the American tendency to say car. Additionally, the final syllable can vary, with some saying car-a-muhl (or car-muhl) and others preferring car-a-melle.
Given the diverse ways caramel is pronounced across English-speaking regions, it's unclear which version is correct. While some may argue for dropping the middle syllable and others for pronouncing it fully, both approaches are technically accurate.
The way words are used is determined by the general English-speaking population, not by linguists. Given the widespread popularity of both pronunciations of caramel, Merriam-Webster's Dictionary acknowledges both in its definition of the word.
Unlike caramel, many other challenging English words are less lenient with pronunciation errors. Here are some frequently mispronounced words you might be getting wrong.
