The UK’s most mispronounced words of 2024 — from espresso to Shein

Can you believe that 2024 is almost over? As the year wraps up, we’ve been looking back at everything from the biggest food trends, to the best songs from the last 12 months.

But while there have been many highs, there have also been some blunders along the way – and it seems many of us have been making mistakes when it comes to the pronunciation of certain words.

The experts over at language-learning platform Babbel have teamed up with the British Institute of Verbatim Reporters to reveal the top words and names that newsreaders, politicians, public figures, and others have consistently struggled to say throughout the year. 

The analysis, which is now in its ninth year, shows that many have messed up when it comes to some of the most viral moments and faces of 2024 – from how to pronounce the title of Sabrina Carpenter’s summer hit, to the name of the fast fashion brand Shein.

Here’s a look at the UK’s top 10 most mispronounced words in 2024, and their correct phonetic pronunciations…

Barry Keoghan

[BARR-ee key-OH-gin]

Irish actor Barry Keoghan, known for his role in Saltburn, hit the headlines in 2024, not just because of his career but also for his relationship with pop star Sabrina Carpenter.

His name, pronounced [key-OH-gin], features a hard ‘g,’ distinguishing it from other Irish variations where the ‘g’ is typically silent.

Snus

[SNOOZ]

Snus, a smokeless tobacco originating from Sweden, is pronounced [SNOOZ], with a long ‘o’ and a soft, slightly ‘z’-like ‘s.’ Its rising popularity in the UK has sparked debates due to growing health concerns.

Flygskam

[FLEEG-skam]

Flygskam is a Swedish term that means ‘flight shame’, and it has its own social movement which encourages people to reduce their air travel in a bid to combat climate change.

Greta Thunberg is known to be a big advocate and, while it’s not new, the concept gained renewed attention in 2024 following Sweden’s decision to eliminate its aviation tax.

Espresso

[es-PRESS-oh]

Espresso [es-PRESS-oh] became a hot topic this year when Sabrina Carpenter’s hit single topped UK charts. The catchy track reignited age-old frustrations over the common mispronunciation of the word as [EX-press-oh], much to the chagrin of coffee lovers everywhere.

Speculoos-3b

[SPEK-yuh-lohss three bee]

In May 2024, astronomers discovered Speculoos-3b, an Earth-sized exoplanet orbiting a red dwarf, sparking excitement for potential habitable zones. And yes, it shares its name with the popular Belgian biscuit.

Cryptosporidium

[krip-toe-spuh-RID-ee-um]

Cryptosporidium is a microscopic parasite that causes cryptosporidiosis, a gastrointestinal disease with nasty symptoms like severe diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, and dehydration. In 2024, Cryptosporidium gained significant attention following an outbreak in Devon that affected hundreds of people and animals, sparking public health concerns.

Two dozen holidaymakers in Croatia also fell ill in just two months, prompting a warning to tourists heading to the holiday hotspot.

Phryge

[FREE-je]

The 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic mascot, the Phryge, pronounced [FREE-je], was a talking point this year thanks to its quirky design and unique name. Derived from the Phrygian cap, a symbol of liberty, the mascot has become a linguistic challenge for many.

Ncuti Gatwa

[n-SHOO-ti GAT-wah]

Ncuti Gatwa, star of Sex Education and the fifteenth Doctor Who, revealed that he only learned the correct pronunciation of his name at age 26. The Rwandan-Scottish actor clarified it as [n-SHOO-ti GAT-wah], with the first syllable softly pronounced.

Shein

[SHE-in]

Chinese-founded fast-fashion giant Shein has often left shopppers scratching their heads over its name. To settle the confusion once and for all, it’s pronounced [SHE-in] and not [SHEEN].

Joško Gvardiol

[YOSH-ko GVAR-dee-ol]

Professional footballer Joško Gvardiol plays for Premier League club Manchester City and the Croatian national team, but fans often stumble when trying to say the defender’s name.