'The name's Mamdani'... Which were 2025's most mispronounced words?
Do you know how to pronounce the name of New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani? If not, don’t worry; you are among the many who were left tongue-tied. And the list didn’t stop there
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One of the biggest stories of this year was the election of Zohran Mamdani as New York mayor. But what caught our attention was the confusion over the pronunciation of his name. According to Babbel, his name should be pronounced zoh-RAHN mam-DAH-nee. The most common mistake? Flipping the 'M' and 'N.' He even spelled it out in a debate, “It’s Mamdani — M-A-M-D-A-N-I.” File image/Reuters
There has been international buzz around the jewel heist at the famous Louvre museum in Paris. Plenty of people stumbled over the name of the world’s most-visited museum. According to Babbel, the correct pronunciation is LOOV-ruh, ending with a gentle sound that English speakers often mess up. File images/Reuters
Acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, was back in the headlines as officials debated whether it’s safe during pregnancy. Even President Donald Trump stumbled over its name during a briefing. The proper pronunciation is uh-SEE-tuh-MIH-nuh-fen. File image/Reuters
The premiere of 'Murdaugh: Death in the Family' on Netflix this year brought chatter over the horrifying killing of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh by husband and father Alex Murdaugh. The South Carolina lawyer now serving life in prison for the 2021 killings of his wife and son is pronounced al-ICK mur-DOCK. File image/AP
Mounjaro, the diabetes drug, which has gained popularity for helping people lose weight, has been the talk of the town. But confusion remains around the pronunciation of the word. Babble's entry notes the pronunciation as mown-JAHR-oh. File image/Reuters
Another name that left people scratching their heads was the storm, Éowyn. Storm Éowyn struck Ireland and parts of the United Kingdom in January. Thus, the people of both countries ended up pronouncing or, in this case, mispronouncing it. Babble pointed out that the word should be pronounced as ay-OH-win. File image/Reuters
Hollywood actor Denzel Washington revealed during Jimmy Kimmel's late-night show that he was named after his father and that their actual names are pronounced as den-ZUL, not den-ZELLE. File image/AFP
Labubu also made it to the list since people have been pronouncing it as la-BU-BU around the world. Babble said that the actual pronunciation is la-BOO-BOO. File image/Reuters