Look at the word NUCLEAR. See how many u's are in there? That's right - just one. This is why I could never listen to former President George W. Bush give a speech. I knew inevitably I would have to hear the leader of our country and Commander-in-Chief of our military say NUCULAR. It's pronounced new-clear, not nucular.
Slowly say the word BALSAMIC, as in the type of vinegar. The L comes before the S - BALL SA' MICK. Since the L comes first, it is not correct to say BA SALL' MICK. I was watching the food channel this weekend and heard 2 different chefs mispronounce this word. Not encouraging.
Go to your favorite coffee shop and listen to how many people order an EXPRESSO. Does this mean they want it fast or something? There is no X in ESPRESSO.
Listen to the word SUPPOSEDLY. This word is created by adding the adverb suffix -ly to the word supposed. More often than not I hear this word mispronounced, even by news anchors, as SUPPOSABLY. Keep in mind the root of the word - supposed - and you will always get it right.
Look at and say the word JEWELRY. The root of this word is of course jewel. So why do so many people insist on mispronouncing this word as JEW-LERY. Say jewel, add -ry, and you have it right: jewelry.
Run a TRIATHLON or watch a DECATHLON or BIATHLON. Just don't say TRIATHALON, DECATHALON and BIATHALON. I know it is a little awkward to say the "th" sound followed by "l" but do it anyway. There is no "a" in between those last 2 syllables.
Tell your young child he or she is being MISCHIEVOUS, but please say it correctly. Think of the word "mischief", pronounced /MISS-chiff/. To say it correctly, change the f sound to a v sound and add -ous: /MISS-chiv-us/. There is no extra i toward the end so don't be mischeeeveeeous and say it wrong.