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Thread: Words that are not pronounced the way they are spelt.

  1. 08-24-2011, 01:21 AM #1
    windswept_euphony
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    Words that are not pronounced the way they are spelt.

    As far as I know, this phenomenon within the English language doesn't have a name. How many can you think of?

    First Four:
    Subtlety
    Colonel
    Lingerie
    Segue
    "The prince of darkness is a gentleman." - Shakespeare
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  2. 08-24-2011, 11:34 AM #2
    Nacian
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    I agree..something are just not clear.

    Jealousy.
    Knackered
    Flower/Flour
    Knit/nit
    Ph/F Final/phenomenal

    Two spellings one sound. It does not make sense.

    Then you have words like:

    wife and midwife??
    Another word phenomena.

    A bit like:
    wife husband Or the other half???
    Last edited by Nacian; 08-24-2011 at 11:37 AM.
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  3. 08-24-2011, 12:14 PM #3
    Bloggsworth
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    It would be quicker to discuss the words that are pronounced the way they're are spelled...
    A man in possession of a wooden spoon must be in want of a pot to stir.
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  4. 08-24-2011, 01:02 PM #4
    BabaYaga
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    I am loving this thread. My sister and I used to always*memorize*the new words we'd found in books and then use them in sentences- much to the*amusement/ irritation of all listening.

    I got caught out recently with 'dour'...

    Another goody is anything with a silent 'gh' as in 'laugh' I used to teach English as a 2nd language to a classroom of french speaking teenagers and it took me a while to figure out what they were saying when they said things like,

    'Oh teacher, we logged at that guy. We logged and logged and logged. We logged until we couldn't log anymore'.
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  5. 08-31-2011, 07:03 PM #5
    Xhwag
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    How about draught? It shares many of the same meanings with its more sensible sibling, draft, yet is still distinct. I love the word!
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  6. 08-31-2011, 07:44 PM #6
    Bloggsworth
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    Featherstonehaugh - And if any furriner can work that one out I'll buy them a pint...
    A man in possession of a wooden spoon must be in want of a pot to stir.
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  7. 08-31-2011, 07:47 PM #7
    Xhwag
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bloggsworth View Post
    Featherstonehaugh - And if any furriner can work that one out I'll buy them a pint...
    Isn't it like...fanshaw or something?
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  8. 09-03-2011, 11:25 AM #8
    BipBopRealGoodNop
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    Basically every single Irish name

    also these names
    eg. Mainwaring (pronounced Mannering)
    KNIGHTHOOD FOR ERIC SYKES! Do your bit!!
    SIGN THE PETITION: http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/...ric-sykes.html
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  9. 09-08-2011, 09:33 PM #9
    Gamer_2k4
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    Quote Originally Posted by Xhwag View Post
    How about draught? It shares many of the same meanings with its more sensible sibling, draft, yet is still distinct. I love the word!
    ...I never even knew that was how it was pronounced. Wow.
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  10. 09-08-2011, 10:33 PM #10
    Cricri
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    Gosh Baba, you had me in tears....I am French myself and god yes, that silly silent "gh".

    In England, you have some crisps called "nick nacks".....which can have another meaning which I discovered when I shouted to my hubby (in front of his parents) if you could have a nibble on his nick nacks.

    I rest my case. English is beautiful.
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  11. 09-10-2011, 04:35 AM #11
    The Backward OX
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    The name Featherstonehaugh - pron. Fanshaw.

    Cough, through, bough, enough, thorough, furlough.

    Daughter, laughter.

    Sew, dew.
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  12. 09-10-2011, 04:38 AM #12
    The Backward OX
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    Quote Originally Posted by windswept_euphony View Post
    As far as I know, this phenomenon within the English language doesn't have a name. How many can you think of?

    First Four:
    Subtlety
    Colonel
    Lingerie
    Segue
    The last two are imports
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  13. 09-12-2011, 09:51 AM #13
    BabaYaga
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    Quote Originally Posted by The Backward OX View Post
    The name Featherstonehaugh - pron. Fanshaw.
    That's just impossibly hard. It's like saying the word 'megalomaniacal' is pronounced 'muffinbasket'*
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  14. 09-12-2011, 04:07 PM #14
    alanmt
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    Since no one has said it yet:

    ghoti
    Do not think it a kindness.
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  15. 09-12-2011, 08:08 PM #15
    missmojorising
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    Gnome.

    I'm sure this is not the clinical, technical term but -- I call these words/letters Alphabet Bandits -- they steal sounds of other letters or hide behind the sounds of other letters. I was forced to come up with some rational explanation for my 6 year when she was learning to read.
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