Do say: cache (cash)| Don't say: cachet (cash-ay)
The French word cache means “a hidden place.” Some people confuse it with the French cachet, meaning “prestige.” Do say: cacophony (ca-caw-fone-ee)| Don't say: caucaphony (caw-ca-fone-ee) There is no greater cacophony to the ears than to hear the vowels switched in the pronunciation of this word. Do say: candidate | Don't say: cannidate You aren't being canny to drop the [d] in this word. Do say: cardsharp | Don't say: card shark You may be surprised to hear that card shark isn’t an actual phrase. Its mispronunciation from cardsharp over the years, however, has led to card shark being more popular in America than the original phrase. Do say: carpal tunnel syndrome | Don't say: carpool tunnel syndrome This one is mispronounced and misspelled several ways. Carpal means ''pertaining to the wrist.'' Do say: The Caucasus (caw-cah-suhs) | Don't say: The Caucases (caw-cah-says) Although there are more than one mountain in this chain, their name is not a plural noun. Do say: cavalry (cav-al-ree)| Don't say: Calvary (cal-vah-ree) These are actually two different words: cavalry means “an army on horseback,” while Calvary denotes the hill on which Jesus was crucified in the Bible. They’re definitely not interchangeable, so be sure you’re choosing the right word. Do say: champ at the bit | Don't say: chomp at the bit Chomp has probably replaced champ in the U.S., but we thought you might like to be reminded that the vowel should be [a] not [o]. Do say: chest of drawers | Don't say: chester drawers The drawers of Chester is a typical way of looking at these chests down South, but it misses the point. Do say: clothes | Don't say: close The [th] is a very soft sound likely to be overlooked. Show your linguistic sensitivity when pronouncing it. Do say: cornet (kor-net) | Don't say: coronet (kor-oh-net) If you’re talking about a brass instrument similar to a trumpet, use cornet. A coronet is a royal crown. They might both be present at a coronation, but they are very different items.
