Trying to keep up with the latest trends is difficult enough, especially when you don’t know how to pronounce them.
From Sabrina Carpenter’s hit song Espresso to a newly discovered Earth-sized exoplanet orbiting a red dwarf, the most mispronounced words of this year have been revealed.
The list was curated by the language-learning platform Babbel and, handily, also includes the correct pronunciation for the words that have shaped viral moments and defined global milestones.
Barry Keoghan – pronounced BARR-ee key-OH-gin
Award-winning Irish actor Barry Keoghan captured headlines in 2024, not only for his work on screen but for his dating life, when it was revealed he was in a relationship with US pop star Sabrina Carpenter.
The pair have only just decided to take a break from their year-long relationship, according to People, which has only caused more buzz around the Saltburn and Dunkirk actor.
Despite his popularity, many outside Ireland have struggled to pronounce his last name, which features a hard ‘g,’ distinguishing it from other Irish variations where the ‘g’ is typically silent.
Espresso – pronounced es-PRESS-oh
Cue groans from the coffee addicts who have always pronounced the name of the popular hot beverage correctly for years.
But in 2024, many more people, especially fans of Sabrina Carpenter, found themselves singing the word after the release of her catchy tune of the same name.
Two weeks after its chart debut on 3 May, Espresso became Carpenter’s first number one single in the UK, with Babbel emphasising it is pronounced with an ‘es’ not an ‘ex’.
Phryge – pronounced FREE-je
The mascot of the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games stirred up conversation not only for its quirky design but also for the widespread confusion over its name.
Derived from the Phrygian cap, a symbol of liberty, the mascot was announced by organisers of the Games as caps that are “sporty, love to party… and are so French”.
Shein – pronounced SHE-in
Chinese-founded fast-fashion giant Shein, has puzzled shoppers who have opted for calling it ‘Sheen’.
The website has been at the centre of controversy over its use of cotton from the Xinjiang region of China and other issues related to workers’ rights and its vast supply chain, but could be on the verge of debuting on the London stock market next year
Speculoos-3b – pronounced SPEK-yuh-lohss three bee
In May this year, astronomers announced they had discovered an Earth-sized exoplanet orbiting a red dwarf (a small, cool star).
Named Speculoos-3b, NASA said the planet is about 55 light-years from Earth and nearly the same size.
Despite having a similar name as the popular Belgian biscuit, the planet got its name from the global network of robotic telescopes that detected it.
Josko Gvardiol – pronounced YOSH-ko GVAR-dee-ol
The Croatian footballer has made a name for himself as a defender for Manchester City, if only people could pronounce it.
The 22-year-old made 32 appearances for the Premier League champions without scoring before a stunning strike against Real Madrid in the Champions League earlier in the year. He now has seven goals to his name in the Premier League.
Ncuti Gatwa – pronounced n-SHOO-ti GAT-wah
No one was more surprised to learn the correct pronunciation of the name of the Sex Education and Doctor Who star than Ncuti Gatwa himself.
In an interview earlier this year, the Mirror reported that the Rwandan-Scottish actor said his mother told him that it was not pronounced “Shootee” but instead has an ‘n’ sound then a pause and ‘shoo-tee’.
Snus – pronounced SNOOZ
Snus is a smokeless tobacco that originates from Sweden. It typically comes in small pouches and is placed between a person’s gums and upper lip, releasing nicotine straight into their bloodstream, according to the UK Addiction Treatment Centre.
Despite its spelling, it is pronounced ‘snooz’, with a long ‘o’ and a soft, slightly ‘z’-like ‘s’, Babbel say.
Although its rising popularity, oral tobacco products such as snus were banned in the UK under The Tobacco for Oral Use (Safety) Regulations in 1992.
Flygskam – pronounced FLEEG-skam
Flygskam is a Swedish term meaning “flight shame,” that was popularised by climate activist Greta Thunberg – who refuses to fly on planes because of the impact on the environment.
The term now represents a movement encouraging people to reduce air travel to combat climate change.
Although it looks tricky to say, it is made easier by being broken down into ‘fleeg’ and ‘skam’.
The term gained attention earlier this year after the Swedish government announced it will scrap its tax on airline tickets from the middle of next year.
Cryptosporidium – pronounced krip-toe-spuh-RID-ee-um
In May this year, cryptosporidium brought chaos to a little town in Devon (and to newsreaders across the country when they had to learn to pronounce it).
Follow our channel and never miss an update
The microscopic parasite, often shortened to crypto, causes cryptosporidiosis, a gastrointestinal disease characterised by severe diarrhoea, stomach cramps, nausea, and dehydration.
An outbreak of the waterborne disease in the town of Brixham in southwest England led to some residents needing treatment in hospital while thousands of properties were put under a boil notice.
