Are you saying charcuterie, brewery or quinoa right? Take our quiz!

By FRANCINE WOLFISZ, NEWS REPORTER Published: 01:46, 19 August 2026 | Updated: 01:46, 19 August 2026 A Brazilian superfood might be good for your health - but it could also leave you tripping over your tongue, according to a new study on the most mispronounced words. Topping the list is acai, a small, dark purple berry from South American palm trees, commonly found in drinks and smoothie bowls. Other 'difficult' words include segue, charcuterie, quinoa, gnocchi and Worcestershire, according to research among 2,000 adults.  Chipotle, phenomenon and gyro also featured among the top 10 mispronounced words, with hyperbole, aesthetic and even gif proving tricky for some. Respondents also revealed 85 per cent have had someone correct them after mispronouncing a word, leaving 25 per cent feeling embarrassed. The study also found 24 per cent admitted they aren't confident giving unfamiliar words a go. But 27 per cent continue to spout a word incorrectly, despite knowing they were getting it wrong. The research was commissioned by Skoda to highlight the fact many Britons pronounce the brand's name incorrectly. Spokesperson Kirsten Stagg said: 'Sometimes, there are words that simply don't sound how they are spelt, and even everyday terms tend to catch people out. 'Skoda is a perfect example. The distinctive mark above the S, known as a hacek, or caron, can throw people off, and here in the UK the name is commonly pronounced 'S-co-der' rather than the correct 'Sh-co-da'. Quinoa might be good for your health - but it could also leave you tripping over your tongue, according to a poll of the most mispronounced words 'What's great to see from the research is that the majority of people are still willing to have a go, even when they're unfamiliar with a word and risk getting it wrong.' The study also found 85 per cent of adults believe correct pronunciation is important, with 59 per cent of those saying it helps avoid misunderstandings. Others think it shows respect for language (52 per cent), makes them appear more knowledgeable (38 per cent) and professional (34 per cent). Some 38 per cent say the way someone pronounces words can influence the impression they have of them. But attitudes towards mispronunciation vary across generations, with 53 per cent of Gen Z claiming a person's pronunciation would impact what they think of them, compared to just 24 per cent of Boomers. Likewise, 57 per cent of Gen Z correct family, friends and colleagues on their pronunciation, but only 29 per cent of Boomers do the same, according to the OnePoll data. Among those who avoid correcting others, the most common reasons were not wanting to embarrass them (39 per cent), not wanting to come across rude (35 per cent) and not feeling it's their place to do so (33 per cent). It also emerged 47 per cent of adults believe words should be spelt the way they are said, but 30 per cent credit social media for making them more aware of how to pronounce words. 1C, 2B, 3C, 4A, 5B, 6B, 7B, 8A, 9A, 10C