Countdown’s Susie Dent has claimed that the common mispronunciation of mischievous as ‘mischiev-i-ous’ no longer makes her blood boil.
Despite the pronunciation being deemed ‘non-standard’ by the Merriam-Webster dictionary, Dent believes it is a good example of how language evolves.
In the English language, only mischievous and grievous end with ‘ievous’, while at least 10 words end in ‘vious’, including commonly-used words like ‘previous’ and ‘devious’.
Dent, who has been working on Countdown since 1992, put the mispronunciation down to a confusion or mimicry of the words ‘devious’ and ‘previous’, reports the Times.
Speaking at the Hay Festival, Dent said: ‘Something which used to rile me was people pronouncing “mischievous” as “mischiev-i-ous”. But now it’s everywhere and there is a very good reason why people do.
‘It’s the way English people have always pushed out a pronunciation that is no longer familiar to them. We don’t have any “ievous” words any more, and they’re pushing it to something that they do know, and that’s “evious”.
‘So I have now decided it’s a fascinating snapshot of how language works and it doesn’t really bother me, not anymore.’
However, the mispronunciation is pet peeve for many.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Richard Dawkins wrote: ‘”Mischievous” has no third “I” and is pronounced with the stress on the first syllable.
‘But a mutant ‘I’ + stress on 2nd syllable is spreading. As a mischievous memeticist, I’m curious about the selection pressure driving it. Is it easier to say? Or is some celebrity being copied?’
Also taking to social media to share his frustration last week was author and children’s laureate, Frank Cottrell-Boyce.
He shared a post that read: ‘Even people on Radio 4 can’t pronounce “mischievous” now.’
The pronunciation and spelling of ‘mischievous’ dates back to the 16th century, according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary.
‘Our pronunciation files contain modern attestations ranging from dialect speakers to Herbert Hoover,’ it added.
During her talk, Dent also revealed the words that she loves but are no longer used as much.
This includes the word ‘respair’, the word opposite to ‘despair’ and commonly heard in the 16th or 17th century, meaning fresh, hope or recovery.
She also included ‘ipsedixitism’, which means a dogmatic assertion that something is true without providing supporting evidence or proof.
The Countdown star went on to say that she believes people are afraid of dealing with her in case they take her of a ‘a bit of linguistic pedant’.
She revealed she once had a builder tell her that he ‘could never bring himself to text me’ because he thought she ‘needed semi-colons in my text messages’.
Dent previously spoke to about the historic words she wants to see back in the English language.
One of her many favourites is ‘nodcrafty’ which, despite being from the 19th century, is perfect ‘for any Zoom meeting’.
‘To be nodcrafty is to have the knack of nodding your head as if you’re really following along but actually you tuned out ages ago,’ she said.
‘I think that’s quite an important skill.’
Another little-know word, ‘apricity’, describes ‘the most perfect feeling’ – the warmth of the sun on your back on a winter’s day.
‘There’s only one record of it in the dictionary, from 1623,’ Susie explained.
‘It’s almost like a linguistic mayfly – it just survived for a day it seems and disappeared.
‘But weather forecasters are beginning to use it which is brilliant.’
This list outlines an array of terms that people often find themselves stumbling over, or incorrectly pronouncing, according to literacy expert Mubin Ahmed.
Mischievous
Mispronunciation: mis-CHEE-vee-us
Correct pronunciation: MIS-chiv-us
‘Many people add an extra syllable, pronouncing it as ‘mis-CHEE-vee-us,’ but the correct pronunciation is ‘MIS-chiv-us,’ with only three syllables,’ said the literacy expert.
Schedule
Mispronunciation: SKED-yool
Correct pronunciation: SHED-yool
Mubin said: ‘In British English, ‘schedule’ is traditionally pronounced as ‘SHED-yool.’ However, the American pronunciation ‘SKED-yool’ is becoming more common due to cultural influences.’
Pronunciation
Mispronunciation: pro-nounce-ee-A-shun
Correct pronunciation: pro-nun-see-A-shun
‘Ironically, the word ‘pronunciation’ is often mispronounced. The correct form is ‘pro-nun-see-A-shun,’ not ‘pro-nounce-ee-A-shun,’ insisted Mubin.
Espresso
Mispronunciation: ex-PRESS-oh
Correct pronunciation: es-PRESS-oh
‘There is no ‘x’ in ‘espresso.’ The correct pronunciation is ‘es-PRESS-oh’, said the literacy expert.
Arctic
Mispronunciation: AR-tic
Correct pronunciation: ARK-tik
The literacy expert claimed: ‘The word ‘Arctic’ has two ‘c’s,’ and both should be pronounced. The correct pronunciation is ‘ARK-tik’.
Nuclear
Mispronunciation: NOO-kyoo-lar
Correct pronunciation: NOO-klee-ar
‘The word ‘nuclear’ is often mispronounced as ‘NOO-kyoo-lar.’ The correct pronunciation is ‘NOO-klee-ar’, said Mubin.
February
Mispronunciation: FEB-yoo-air-ee
Correct pronunciation: FEB-roo-air-ee
‘Many people skip the first ‘r’ in ‘February,’ but the correct pronunciation includes it: ‘FEB-roo-air-ee,’ explained Mubin.
Quinoa
Mispronunciation: kee-NO-ah
Correct pronunciation: KEEN-wah
‘This superfood’s name is often mispronounced. The correct pronunciation is ‘KEEN-wah’, insisted the literacy expert.
Often
Mispronunciation: OFF-ten
Correct pronunciation: OFF-en
‘While both ‘OFF-ten’ and ‘OFF-en’ are technically correct, the traditional pronunciation in British English is ‘OFF-en,’ where the ‘t’ is silent,’ explained the literacy expert.
Zebra
Mispronunciation: ZEE-bra
Correct pronunciation: ZEB-ra
‘In British English, ‘zebra’ is pronounced ‘ZEB-ra,’ with a short ‘e’ sound, unlike the American pronunciation ‘ZEE-bra’,’ said Mubin.
Library
Mispronunciation: lie-BERRY
Correct pronunciation: LIE-brer-ee
‘The word “library” is often mispronounced as “lie-BERRY,” but the correct pronunciation is “LIE-brer-ee”‘, Mubin explained.
Salmon
Mispronunciation: SAL-mon
Correct pronunciation: SAM-uhn
‘The “l” in “salmon” is silent. The correct pronunciation is “SAM-uhn”,’ revealed the literacy expert from UK-based Awesome Books.
Almond
Mispronunciation: AL-mond
Correct pronunciation: AH-mund
‘The “l” in “almond” is also silent. The correct pronunciation is “AH-mund”‘, claimed the expert.
Debris
Mispronunciation: DEB-ris
Correct pronunciation: de-BREE
‘The correct pronunciation of “debris” is “de-BREE,” with the “s” being silent,’ insisted Mubin.
Controversy
Mispronunciation: con-TROV-er-see
Correct pronunciation: CON-tro-ver-see
‘In British English, “controversy” is pronounced with the stress on the first syllable: “CON-tro-ver-see.”‘, explained the literacy expert.