The holidays are coming up fast, and food is on everyone’s minds. Now that we’re starting to eat out again, or starting to think about it, I thought I’d share a list of words you might be saying wrong when you place your order.
I have visions of harried servers blowing off steam by making fun of my mispronunciations—is it just me? My husband doesn’t seem to care at all if he accidentally gets it wrong, and people find him charming. He works with a lot of Latinx folks, and they get a kick out of the way he says Spanish words with a Cockney London accent.
For those of us who are not as charming or as wildly confident, here’s a list of words along with their proper pronunciation and a brief explanation of what they actually are.
| Word | Pronunciation | Explanation |
| acai | ah-sigh-EE | A South American superfood berry used in smoothie bowls |
| bruschetta | broo-SKEH-tah | Italian grilled bread with olive oil, garlic, tomatoes, salt, pepper, and sometimes other toppings |
| croissant | kwah-SAHNT
kwah-SAHWN |
A French crescent shaped buttery roll |
| crudités | kroo-de-TAY | Raw vegetables usually cut into bite sized pieces and served with dipping sauce |
| endive | EN-dive
ahn-DEEV |
EN-dive is a green leafy vegetable from the daisy family
ahn-DEEV is a cream-colored torpedo-shaped vegetable |
| gnocchi | NYAW-kee | Thick Italian soft-dough dumplings |
| haricot vert | ARR-ee-coh-vehr | A thin green bean |
| mascarpone | mas-car-POH-neh
mas-car-POH-nay |
Mild Italian soft cheese made from cow’s milk |
| Moët et Chandon | mwett eh SHA(n)-doh | Famous French champagne |
| moussaka | moo-sah-KAH | Greek dish of ground meet (lamb or beef) and layered sliced vegetables, often eggplant, with béchamel sauce. |
| phô | fuh | Vietnamese noodles, served in broth |
| quinoa | keen-WAH | Small protein-rich seeds from the goosefoot plant |
| sherbet | SHUR-bit | Frozen dessert of fruit juice, water, sugar, and usually cream |
| turmeric | TUR-mer-ik | Bright yellow powdered root spice |
| vichyssoise | vee-shee-SWHAZ
vi-shee-SWHAZ |
A French leek and potato soup, usually served cold |
Now I’m hungry. Time for lunch!
Donna Bradley Burcher |Technical Editor, Advisory | Symitar®
8985 Balboa Ave. | San Diego, CA 92123 | Ph. 619.278.0432 | Ext: 765432
Pronouns she/her/hers
About Editor’s Corner
Editor’s Corner keeps your communication skills sharp by providing information on grammar, punctuation, JHA style, and all things English. As editors, we spend our days reading, researching, and revising other people’s writing. We love to spend a few extra minutes to share what we learn with you and keep it fun while we’re doing it.
Did someone forward this email to you? Click here to subscribe.
Don’t want to get Editor’s Corner anymore? Click here to unsubscribe.
Do you have a question or an idea for Editor’s Corner? Send your suggestions or feedback to Kara and <a href="mailto:DBurcher.
NOTICE: This electronic mail message and any files transmitted with it are intended
exclusively for the individual or entity to which it is addressed. The message,
together with any attachment, may contain confidential and/or privileged information.
Any unauthorized review, use, printing, saving, copying, disclosure or distribution
is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please
immediately advise the sender by reply email and delete all copies.
Editor's Corner 
Leave a Reply