Many Americans mispronounce these brand names, do YOU say them correctly? trends now
There comes a time in every American's life when they have to admit they are wrong, and my day has come.
I recently learned I've been mispronouncing dozens of brand names, like Godiva, Ikea and Nissan, and the revelation has sent me into a tailspin.
The most famous example is Cadbury - better known as 'cad-berry' in the US - which pierces the ears of chocolate-loving Brits every time I say it.
Of course, how we pronounce certain words differs depending on which part of the world we come from. But that can even be the case in different parts of the same country.
For example, I am from New Jersey and pronounce the famous hazelnut spread as 'nuh-tell-uh' while my colleague raised in Missouri calls it 'new-tell-uh.' Scroll down to discover which one of us is correct.
While mispronouncing famous brand names can be embarrassing, there are many that Americans get spot-on. Do YOU know how to pronounce Adidas, Pantene, and LaCroix?
DailyMail.com has compiled the 15 brand names Americans most commonly mispronounce:
Audi is a German automotive manufacturer known for its sporty vehicles and its logo of four interlocking circles.
Most Americans pronounce the brand 'ou-dee' or 'aw-dee.'
In fact, it has been mispronounced so often that the carmaker has shared the official way to say it.
Loren Angelo, vice president of marketing Audi of America, said in a statement: 'Audi means 'listen' in Latin, and loosely translates in German to 'horch', which is, of course, a nod to the original founder, August Horch.
'Since Audi is so close to the word 'audio,' we often hear our name pronounced 'aw-dee,' but to set the record straight, the official pronunciation is 'ow-dee' similar to 'howdy' or 'outie' like the belly button!'
BMW (bee-em-double-you)The German carmaker's name is just a three-letter word - how hard can that be? Yet a survey in 2021 showed that 95 percent of people mispronounce it.
Most Americans pronounce the brand 'ou-dee' or 'aw-dee.' The official pronunciation is 'ow-dee'
Another German brand, Bayer AG, is one of the world's largest pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. You have likely been saying it wrong all along - 'bay-er' - when it is actually pronounced 'buy-er.'
Most English speakers say 'Bee-Em-Double-You', but the official way to refer to the high-end car brand is 'Bee-Em-Vee' - using the German pronunciation of the letters.
BAYER (bay-er)Another German brand, Bayer AG, is one of the world's largest pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.
It is probably best known in the US for creating medication that helps keep the blood flowing during a suspected heart attack.
However, you have likely been saying it wrong all along - 'bay-er' - when it is actually pronounced 'buy-er.' Now you know.
CADBURY (cad-berry)Another interesting name is Cadbury, the famous British confectionery brand that makes Crunchie, Curly Wurly, Flake and Wispa bars - and our neighbors across the Atlantic cringe whenever they hear us pronounce it.
The most famous example is Cadbury - better known as 'cad-berry' in the US - which pierces the ears of chocolate-loving Brits every time I say it. The correct pronunciation is actually 'cad-bree'
Americans have a tendency to pronounce it phonetically, when it should have a French twist. So while many say 'car-tee-air' the correct pronunciation is, in fact, 'kahr-tee-ay'
Godiva is a popular chocolate found across the US, yet most Americans pronounce it wrong. We say 'god-eye-va' when it is actually 'go-dee-vuh'
Americans say 'cad-berry,' but the correct pronunciation is actually 'cad-bree'.
It all sounds the same when you have your mouth full of Dairy Milk!
CARTIER (car-tee-air)Founded in Paris over 150 years ago, Cartier is known for its luxury watches, jewelry and signature red and gold boxes.
Americans tend to pronounce it phonetically, when it should have a French twist.
So while many say 'car-tee-air,' the correct pronunciation is 'kahr-tee-ay'.
GODIVA (god-eye-va)The Belgian chocolates can be found in nearly every American grocery store. But most people still manage to pronounce the candy as 'god-eye-va' when it is actually 'go-dee-vuh.'
HERMÈS (her-mess)
Hermès is a French fashion brand that stumps many Americans who either say 'her-mess' or 'her-meez' - when it is actually 'air-mez'
While many Americans might order a pint saying 'hoe-gar-den,' they've been mispronouncing it all this time. The correct way to say it is 'who-gar-den'
Most Americans say 'hi-un-die' or 'hee-yun-day', but it's actually closer to a two-syllable word - and the y is silent: 'hun-day'
Hermès is a French high fashion house established in 1837 by Thierry Hermès and named in honor of the ancient Greek god and son of Zeus.
'It's a Hermès, supposed to be the best', says Tony Soprano after buying a scarf to reconcile with his wife Carmela in The Sopranos.
But was his pronunciation, 'her-meez', correct? Sorry Tony, many Americans either say it your way or say 'her-mess', but it is actually 'air-mez.'
HOEGAARDEN (ho-gar-den)The Belgian white beer has flavors of citrus and spice. And while many Americans might order a pint saying 'hoe-gar-den,' they've been mispronouncing it all this time.
The correct way to say it is 'who-gar-den'.
HYUNDAI (hi-un-die)There are more than 800 Hyundai dealers across the US, yet most Americans still struggle to get the South Korean brand name right.
Most say 'hi-un-die' or 'hee-yun-day,' but it is actually closer to a two-syllable word - and the y is silent: 'hun-day.'
IKEA (eye-kee-ya)
IKEA had a hunch Americans would not say the brand correctly - and they were right. We pronounce it as 'eye-kee-ya' when it is
