7 Words You Might Be Saying Wrong
These of-the-moment words (see especially slide 2) are often mispronounced. The authors of
You're Saying It Wrong are here to help.
By Ross Petras and Kathryn Petras
Illustration: Florie Duhau
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asterisk
People have been mispronouncing "asterisk" since the word entered the English language from Late Latin (asteriscus from the ancient Greek asteriskos, meaning "little star.")
The problem here is switching the correct "sk" ending with a "ks" ending. (Some people take it a step further and drop the s.) If you do it or have done it, you are not alone. People have been switching letters and sounds in English (and other languages) since language began. It is called metathesis—the rearranging of sounds in a word.
Published 10/28/2016
