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17 Common Food Names You Probably Pronounce Wrong

Fact: 100 percent of people pronounce "sriracha" wrong.

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Bruschetta

Don’t say: Broo-sheh-tuh… Instead say: Broo-SKET-tuh

Make sure you know how to pronounce these fancy words to impress everyone at the dinner table.

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Sriracha

Don’t say: Sree-rah-cha… Instead say: SEE-rah-cha (Don’t believe it? Ask the maker.) Also, learn how to pronounce ask.

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Maraschino cherry

Don’t say: Mare-uh-sheeno… Instead say: Mare-uh-SKEENO.

We’ve cherry-picked these commonly mispronounced words you should know about. 

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Anise

Don’t say: Ah-nees… Instead say: ANN-iss. You’re probably also mispronouncing these popular company names.

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Jicama

Don’t say: Hick-uh-muh… Instead say: HEE-kuh-mah

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Gyro

Don’t say:  Jy-roe… Instead say: YEE-roe. Learning how to pronounce gyro is essential when you’re ordering from a Greek restaurant. You’ll argue about the differences in these regional food names forever. Is it soda or pop?

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Açaí

Don’t say: Ah-kai…  Instead say: Ah-SIGH-ee

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Bouillabaisse

Don’t say: Bool-yah-bays…  Instead say: BOO-yah-BESS. Check out these foods that actually have different names in the U.K.

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Sherbet
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Sherbet

Don’t say: Sher-bert… Instead say: Sher-BIT (The proper spelling is always “sherbet”; If you see this printed on a menu as “sherbert,” it’s wrong.) Next, check out these funny food names that sound ridiculous but are totally real. 

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Pho

Don’t say: Foe… Instead say: FUH. Don’t miss these place names that you’re also mispronouncing.

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Endive

Don’t say:  En-dive… Instead say: On-DEEV

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Worcestershire sauce

Don’t say:  Wore-chester-shire… Instead say: WOOS-TUH-SHURE. Don’t miss these 27 trademarked names that have become commonly used terms.

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Lychee

Don’t say: Lie-chee… Instead say: LEE-chee

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Gnocchi

Don’t say: No-key… Instead say: NYOH-key. Here are 14 of the hardest words to pronounce in the English language.

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Crudités

Don’t say:  Krew-dites… Instead say: Krew-dih-TAY. Find out how these 16 iconic foods got their names.

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Sake

Don’t say: Socky… Instead say: Sah-KAY

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Espresso

Don’t say: Ex-press-oh… Instead say: ESS-press-oh. Don’t miss these 20 words even smart people mispronounce.

Reader's Digest
Originally Published in Reader's Digest