In my mind, some specific words and expressions have taken on new sounds due to certain television shows I’ve watched. It’s fascinating how characters from TV shows become etched in our memory, even for peculiar traits like distinctive ways of speaking. I always appreciate it when a character’s speech is so unique that their voice lingers in my mind long after the episode has ended.
It’s important to mention that the mispronunciations in these words and phrases aren’t due to a character’s particular accent or language style. Rather, they are instances where characters struggle with pronunciation because they’re attempting to mimic someone else, trying to sound sophisticated, lack knowledge in certain areas, or simply don’t bother to get it right.
8. “Fish ‘N Chips” – The Gang
It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia – Season 14, Episode 8: “Paddy’s Has A Jumper”
In my opinion, “Paddy’s Has a Jumper” is one of the top episodes of “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” yet there’s a specific aspect that always catches my attention. The gang becomes fixated on what seems to be a rip-off of “Bridgerton” on an undisclosed streaming platform, and they’re dead set on watching more installments while indulging in fish and chips. However, their attempts to mimic the British accent fall flat.
From a British perspective, hearing “Fish ‘n Chips” pronounced identically to terms like “cookies ‘n cream” or “rock ‘n roll” can be grating on the ears. Although technically correct, most Britons don’t actually pronounce it this way. In everyday usage, it’s simply “fish and chips.” Even when the abbreviated “‘N” is used, there’s less emphasis placed on that syllable compared to how the characters in Paddy’s gang say it. Yet, it always makes me laugh, especially when rewatching “Paddy’s Has a Jumper.
7. “Donger” (Not Danger) – Jack Danger
Brooklyn Nine-Nine – Season 2, Episode 8: “USPIS”
It’s fun to spot actors from “The Office” in “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” especially when new faces like Ed Helms join the cast. In the episode “USPIS,” Helms is introduced as Jack Danger, a character who is both irritating and arrogant, believing himself to be smarter than anyone at the NYPD. However, what truly grates on people’s nerves isn’t just his confidence or his role in the USPIS; it’s his insistence that his last name, “Danger,” should be pronounced as “Donger.” This is amusing because many people modify their names to make them sound more appealing, and Jack has an ideal chance here to do so.
Despite everyone knowing how to pronounce ‘Danger’, Jack persists in saying his last name correctly. I appreciate his honesty, but it’s a bit peculiar. However, this incident has left me unable to think of the word ‘danger’ any other way. It’s unfortunate that Jack Danger isn’t a more endearing character, as this connection would be more pleasant for me. But my fondness for Helms’ quirky pronunciations in his various TV roles makes up for it.
6. “Baggle” – Britta Perry
Community – Season 1, Episode 17: “Physical Education”
In the TV show “Community,” Britta Perry’s peculiar way of pronouncing ‘bagel’ often becomes a subject of humor. In the first season episode titled “Physical Education,” Jeff Winger accidentally spills a bag of bagels in the study group room, right as Britta walks in. Instead of saying ‘bagels,’ she refers to them as ‘Baggles.’ Britta justifies this by claiming that she lived in New York and often uses this excuse for various things.
In some cases, people pronounce words differently due to factors like their background, regional dialect, or lack of exposure to proper usage in conversation. Yet, given Britta’s extensive time spent in New York, it seems unlikely that she hasn’t heard the correct pronunciation at least once. This situation certainly calls to mind the running joke from “Community” about Britta’s mispronunciations, and it’s remarkable how she consistently mangles a seemingly straightforward word like bagel, especially considering the spelling doesn’t align with her pronunciation.
5. “EncycloPAYdia” – Ted Mosby
How I Met Your Mother – Several Episodes
In the popular sitcom “How I Met Your Mother,” Ted Mosby’s most noticeable mispronunciation lies in the word “encyclopedia.” Although “encyclopaedia” is technically an alternative spelling, the difference in pronunciation (the “ae” sound) doesn’t alter its meaning. When he writes it as “encyclopaedia,” Ted continues to mispronounce the word. His exaggerated emphasis on the “PAY” part is his attempt to sound intelligent, but his insistence on being correct only intensifies the embarrassment when he’s proven wrong.
Regardless of Ted’s incorrect pronunciation not being accurate, his rendition of “EncycloPAYdia” often pops into my mind. Even when I’m not currently re-watching the series, hearing Ted Mosby say it is still a common occurrence. Given that I would likely challenge him on such an unrealistically exaggerated pronunciation of encyclopedia if I were one of his friends, this reaction seems fitting, as it aligns with one of the interventions often seen in “How I Met Your Mother.
4. “Shamil-E-On” (Chameleon) – Ted Mosby
How I Met Your Mother – Season 6, Episode 19: “Legendaddy”
In the sixth season episode “Legendaddy,” there’s an amusing blunder by Ted Mosby when he calls a chameleon “Shamil-e-on.” This occurs during a discussion about individual knowledge gaps, as Robyn reminds him of this gaffe from one of his college lectures. The fun part is that Ted persists in saying it incorrectly several times in quick succession, oblivious to the clearly puzzled expressions on his students’ faces.
The college students don’t intend to be unkind towards Ted, yet they aren’t attempting to conceal their feelings either. Simultaneously, it is evident that among all of Ted’s girlfriends in “How I Met Your Mother,” Robyn has no qualms about calling him out on his eccentricities. At this juncture, Ted is involved with Zoey, and given she once joined his architecture class to protest his Arcadia project, it’s fortunate that the “Shamil-e-on” incident appears to have taken place before they crossed paths.
3. “Identi-FY” – Ross Geller
Friends – Season 6, Episode 4: “The One Where Joey Loses His Insurance”
Fun fact, another term that sounds different in my mind due to a TV show is associated with a scenario where a university professor mispronounces something. In one less recognized episode of “Friends,” titled “The One Where Joey Loses His Insurance,” Ross Geller adopts a British accent while addressing his class. It’s amusing how his pronunciation struggles, and given that he was engaged to Emily just a couple of years prior, it’s surprising that his British accent isn’t more refined.
A word that frequently catches my attention is “identify.” Ross emphasizes the “fy” sound noticeably, giving the pronunciation of “Identi-FY” a blend of common Western accents instead of a distinctly British one. Though I understand that Ross becomes anxious and wants to present well to his students, it’s now hard for me not to associate the word ‘identify’ with his particular pronunciation.
2. “New York Citaaay” – Laszlo Cravensworth
What We Do In The Shadows – Season 4, Episode 8: “Go Flip Yourself”
Laszlo’s quote from ‘What We Do in the Shadows,’ specifically when he says ‘New York City‘ with an elongated syllable, is undeniably hilarious. Matt Berry’s characters often have a knack for delivering amusing pronunciations, but this particular one always gets me laughing out loud. It’s no wonder that scene has become so widely shared online. Laszlo calls Simon the ‘most devious scoundrel in New York City’ after the villain reclaims the cursed hat from him.
In a clever twist, Simon the Cunning designs an entire home improvement series that captivates Laszlo’s interest – a cover for gaining access to the vampires’ residence. I find Laszlo’s remark entirely fitting, but his choice of words adds a delightful touch of humor. Although New York City is synonymous with many things, whenever I think of it, I can’t help but hear Laszlo’s distinctive voice in my mind.
1. “Sonturun” (Sontaran) – Donna Noble
Doctor Who – Season 4, Episodes 4 & 5: “The Sontaran Stratagem” & “The Poison Sky”
It’s understandable that Donna Noble finds it challenging to pronounce “Sontaran,” given it’s an alien name and not something commonly used in everyday talk. Yet, her mispronunciation as “Sonturuns” never fails to make me chuckle. In the two-part Doctor Who story “The Sontaran Stratagem” and “The Poison Sky,” Donna frequently misnames these aliens. My favorite instance, however, is when she’s on the phone with the Doctor while stuck in the TARDIS.
During this instance, Donna emerges as the Tenth Doctor’s top companion, demonstrating her bravery and quick-wittedness. Though terrified that the Sontaran guarding the TARDIS door might kill her upon discovery, she recognizes the Doctor needs her assistance. Fueled by fear-induced adrenaline, Donna maintains her humor in this scene, playfully referring to the alien as a “Sonturun“. It’s clever that she corrects herself quickly under the circumstances, but it only adds to the comicality.
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2025-04-21 18:31