Dear Sir,
I read the article in the Atlantic and saw that DIPHTHONG won in part because of the silent h. You may be interested to know that there are (at least two) pronunciations of this word. For many people, the "ph" is pronounced as an "f", reflecting the presumptive Greek origin of this word.
--Your friendly local linguist
Indeed Local Linguist
I had a dower & sullen english teacher that pointed out:
"If you pronounce it Dip-Thong, you are a Dip-shit"
It was her 1 and only joke.
Oh how I do love a good diphthong hornswoggled into a kerfuffle with a gherkin!
Excellent work!
Posted by: Matt Deniston | September 13, 2012 at 12:09 AM
I demand a recount. Gherkin shoulda won.
Posted by: Rosemary | September 13, 2012 at 11:50 AM
I was surprised to have to go all the way back to the early rounds to find flibbertigibbet. How did that lose out to foist?
Posted by: Disjointedrhymings | September 14, 2012 at 08:42 AM
Gherkin coulda been a contender, instead of a bum, which is what it is . . .
Posted by: Bob Mabry | September 14, 2012 at 10:14 AM
Much to his dismay her diphthong concealed a gherkin.
Posted by: Stourley Kracklite | September 14, 2012 at 12:03 PM
I was rooting for wonk, but... diphthong: Yay!
Posted by: Neo | September 14, 2012 at 12:29 PM
Greek word!!Yah!
Posted by: Kostas | September 15, 2012 at 04:45 PM
Dear Sir,
I read the article in the Atlantic and saw that DIPHTHONG won in part because of the silent h. You may be interested to know that there are (at least two) pronunciations of this word. For many people, the "ph" is pronounced as an "f", reflecting the presumptive Greek origin of this word.
--Your friendly local linguist
Posted by: R Daland | September 18, 2012 at 12:51 PM
Gherkin all the way!
Posted by: E. Meade | September 19, 2012 at 01:33 PM
i wonder if doily was ever on the list. i love the word doily.
Posted by: celeste | September 20, 2012 at 02:47 PM
OMG, why wasn't I consulted? Theshold and lugubrious weren't even considered!?
Posted by: JohnTheBastard | September 20, 2012 at 03:09 PM
Indeed Local Linguist
I had a dower & sullen english teacher that pointed out:
"If you pronounce it Dip-Thong, you are a Dip-shit"
It was her 1 and only joke.
Posted by: G.jimson | September 20, 2012 at 03:23 PM
Start again — this time include “Buttress”.
Posted by: U0421793 | September 20, 2012 at 03:57 PM
In your next one, use the word "xanthochroid"
Posted by: CR | September 20, 2012 at 05:46 PM
Can't believe no-one entered "phosphorescence" :(
Posted by: Sidamo | September 20, 2012 at 06:41 PM