- cross-posted to:
- linguistics_humor@sh.itjust.works
- cross-posted to:
- linguistics_humor@sh.itjust.works
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English is weird. It can be understood through tough thorough thought, though.
How many ways can “ough” be pronounced in English?
through - oo
tough - uff
though - oh
thought - ah
cough - off
bough - ow
Any others?
thought - ah
?
thought - or; if you pronounce it the UK/Aus/NZ way
thought - o; if you pronounce it with a general American accent
As for others:
- thorough - uh (schwa)
- hiccough - up
I’m referring to American English specifically. “o” would make me think it’s pronounced “thoat”, but it’s the sound I meant.
“thorough” rhymes with “oh” in Standard American English.
“Hiccough” is a good one. I always hated that spelling and prefer “hiccup” for that reason.
“Hiccough” is a good one. I always hated that spelling and prefer “hiccup” for that reason.
TIL those are both pronounced the same way. (Gaol/jail is worse, though.)
Yes, English is weird, but this word still breaks rules. “Gh” (pronounced “f”) is never at the beginning of a word, and “ti” (pronounced “sh”) is never at the end.
Oh, you’re absolutely correct. I think it’s just meant to poke fun at the complexity of the language.
