Foodie Words That Leave Us Tongue-Tied

From gnocchi to pho, commonly misprounced words
By Will McCahill,  Newser Staff
Posted Feb 23, 2010 10:39 PM CST
Foodie Words That Leave Us Tongue-Tied
Huitlacoche, also known as corn smut, is a fungus that some consider a delicacy.   (Wikimedia Commons)

Reacting to news that the Olive Garden and its tough-to-say specialties might be opening up overseas, the Chicago Tribune presents its top 10 mispronounced foodie words:

  • Bruschetta: Say broo-SKEH-tah, get the grilled-bread appetizer.
  • Gnocchi: the dumpling-like noodles are pronounced NYOH-kee.
  • Gyro: YEER-oh is how the Greeks order the pita-enveloped sandwich.
  • Huitlacoche: the corn fungus often eaten with tortillas is pronounced wheet-lah-KOH-chay.

  • Pouilly-Fuissé: Say poo-yee fwee-SAY when ordering this white wine varietal.
  • Mole: Pronounced MOH-lay, it’s the thick, chocolate-based sauce often used in Mexican cuisine.
  • Paczki: The Polish fried pastry is a favorite of the Thursday before Lent, or POONCH-key Day.
  • Pho: Vietnamese soup is said fuh.
  • Prosciutto: The Italian ham is proh-SHOO-toe.
  • Sake: Want rice wine? Ask for SAH-kay.
(More Olive Garden stories.)

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