Today, I have learned a lot of "big" words from reading so much, but can actually only pronounce about half of them correctly. FML
Collection
Halloween
A failed costume, stolen candy and a very real scare: Halloween, the one night when fear is allowed.
Today, I found out that I have Dysarthria, a condition where you can't pronounce certain words. I can't even pronounce the condition. FML
Today, while reading out loud in front of my entire class and teacher, I learned that I can't pronounce the word 'success'. It came out as 'sex', and when I tried to correct myself more slowly (multiple times), it came out 'sexsex'. FML
Today, I was reading a picture storybook to a kindergarten kid. She could pronounce more words than me, and corrected me. I'm about triple her age. FML
Today, I learned that I've been saying a word wrong my whole life and all my friends have been too polite to correct me, when I found out that "Segue" and "Segway" are pronounced the same. FML
Today, I went to a fancy restaurant and couldn't pronounce any of the menu items. FML
Today, I found out that I've been pronouncing "quinoa" wrong for years. FML
Today, I have laryngitis and can’t speak at all. I went to make myself some breakfast and my mom kept asking me questions, to which I replied with nods and head shakes. She said, in a condescending voice, that I need to use my “big girl words” and will keep using her “baby voice” until I do so. FML
Today, I've gotten so used to people mispronouncing my last name, even after I correct them a gazillion times, I've lost the motivation to correct anyone on it anymore. At this point I'd probably faint from shock if someone who isn't related to me successfully pronounced it correctly. FML
Today, while not feeling well at work, I had to finish up some papers. I was so out of it, I couldn't remember how to spell my name. I had to improvise by pronouncing each syllable of my name out loud. My boss now thinks I'm a dumbass. FML
Today, I found out the German I've been learning for nearly a month is a dialect only spoken by people in a small area of the country. This means I'll need to re-learn most of what I thought I knew. FML
Feel like sharing it with the other FML users?
Thanks, your FML was submitted, and will appear in the moderation queue soon!
Top comments
ActionFearo 39
I wish there was some device to pronounce words for us, maybe an online source of some mysterious origin, Idk. Guess we're out of luck for now.
christiee 10
I think anyone who teaches themselves new words by reading shouldn't be embarrassed by other people's reactions because they can't pronounce them correctly. At least those people are going out there and teaching themselves something new, and heightening your knowledge isn't something anyone should be making fun of.
Add a comment · Reply to
You must be logged in to be able to post comments!
Comments (92)
itooamscrewed 10
So google them
fsomelife 26
And yet you couldn't find a better adjective for "big"
CaroAurelia 12
Notice that "big" is in quotation marks in the original post. OP was probably saying that other people refer to them as "big words."
CaroAurelia 12
Don't feel bad, OP. That's actually quite common. I remember one time, when I think I was still in middle school, I pronounced the word "epitome" (pronounced "eh-pi-to-me," for those who don't know) as "eh-pi-tohm" - but I used it with the right meaning. Luckily, the teacher who heard me wasn't a douche about it; he actually said he could tell I was a reader because I used the word right but pronounced it wrong. I would recommend looking up a word on the internet if you don't know how to pronounce it.
yerawizardlizzy 27
I did the same thing with epitome! And I mispronounced indicative.
yerawizardlizzy 27
It's okay, OP. I was in honors classes all through my schooling and know many "big" words but hardly ever use them (though I find it is because my coworkers don't use "big" words and I dont by office culture assimilation). I commend you on your efforts! I definitely suggest, as others have, getting a dictionary app and listening to the audio. Plus some words are tomayto-tomahto so I wouldn't stress too much!
kingdomgirl94 29
Reminds me of the first time I said guillotine. Apparently is Gee-a-tine not Gillo-tine. That was embarrassing.
Omniprism 15
I can relate to this. I read the dictionary as a child and so sometimes in a conversation I'll think of a word but then I second guess myself if I'm using it in the right context.
worldclassrager 41
Mac computers have a speech option which has helped me when I am reading at times or look it up in the dictionary it will have a key for pronouncing words
hannah_r_nelson 18
Happens to me all the time
baileybean654 11
You were obviously failed by the system like the rest of us...
hisfaceallred 19
I actually really love when people do this (pronounce large words wrong with obvious correct knowledge of their meaning.) You can tell they read a lot which I find to be a cute and admirable trait.