Monthly Archives: August 2009

S No: sherbert | Yes: sherbet Some of the same people who do not like two [r]s in their words can’t help repeating the one in this word. No: silicone | Yes: silicon Silicon is the material they make computer chips from but implants are made of silicone. snuck | Yes: sneaked I doubt we … Continue reading

R No: realator | Yes: realtor As you avoid the extra vowel in “masonry,” remember to do the same for “realtor,” the guy who sells what the mason creates. No: revelant | Yes: relevant Here is another word that seems to invite metathesis. No: reoccur | Yes: recur You don’t have to invent a new … Continue reading

P No: parlament | Yes: parliament Although some dictionaries have given up on it, there should be a [y] after [l]: [pahr-lyê-mênt] No: perculate | Yes: percolate Pronouncing this word as “perculate” is quite peculiar. (Also, remember that it means ”drip down” not ”up.”) No: pottable | Yes: potable The adjective meaning “drinkable” rhymes with … Continue reading

O No: often | Yes: ofen We have mastered the spelling of this word so well, its spelling influences the pronunciation: DON’T pronounce the [t]! This is an exception to the rule that spelling helps pronunciation. No: ordinance | Yes: ordnance You may have to use ordnance to enforce an ordinance but you should not … Continue reading

M No: masonary | Yes: masonry We have been told that masons are most likely to insert a spare vowel into this word describing their occupation but we know others do, too. Don’t you. No: mawv | Yes: mauve This word has not moved far enough away from French to assume an English pronunciation, [mawv], … Continue reading