Brain Teasers
'Olo' = 'Er'?
There is only one word in the English language that has the letters 'olo' that are usually pronounced like the letters 'er'. What word is it?
Answer
The word is Colonel!It is usually pronounced 'Kernel' in English.
Hide Answer Show Answer
What Next?
View a Similar Brain Teaser...
If you become a registered user you can vote on this brain teaser, keep track of which ones you have seen, and even make your own.
Solve a Puzzle
Comments
Wow, it took me a while to figure that one out! Excellent.
A very good one! Very tricky, but I would think some of the older generations could think of it, quickly! Odd language, this English and/or American
Or would someone know of the correct language this was derived from?
Most people mis pronounce the word because the "olo" is very subtle; thus sounding like "er." Nice teaser!
I couldn't think or what it was, but I felt like an idiot when I saw the answer. I always hated how that word was pornounced.
Yes, in answer to your question on word origin: in Italian, it is written "colonello" and every syllable is pronounced. As the word drifted into English, the pronunciation became different (and simpler). The same thing happened with the word "February", which in English is pronounced "Febuary" but in Italian "febbraio" is fully pronounced (and connected to the word "febbre" (fever) which is what we get toward the end of a long winter with no fresh food...)
To post a comment, please create an account and sign in.
Follow Braingle!