10 pronunciation mistakes that reveal you're probably smarter than average — because you learned these words from reading, not from being taught them out loud

You know that moment when you're confidently using a word you've read dozens of times, only to have someone gently correct your pronunciation? Yeah, that happened to me last week with the word "epitome." I'd been saying "epi-TOME" for years until a friend casually mentioned it's actually "eh-PIT-oh-mee."

The embarrassment lasted about three seconds before I realized something: this "mistake" was actually a sign that I'd learned the word through reading, not conversation. And that's pretty cool when you think about it.

If you've ever been caught mispronouncing words you know well on paper, you're in good company. These pronunciation fumbles are actually badges of honor for voracious readers. They show you've expanded your vocabulary through books rather than waiting for someone to teach you these words out loud.

Here are 10 common pronunciation mistakes that reveal you're probably smarter than average – because you learned these words the bookworm way.

1. Epitome

Let's start with my recent humbling experience. If you've been saying "epi-TOME" (rhymes with "home"), you're not alone. The correct pronunciation is "eh-PIT-oh-mee."

This word means the perfect example of something, and honestly, it's the epitome of words that readers get wrong. You see it everywhere in literature, from classics to modern self-help books, but unless you're hanging around philosophy professors, you might not hear it spoken often.

The funny thing is, knowing this word at all puts you ahead of the curve. Most people don't casually drop "epitome" into conversation – but readers do.

2. Hyperbole

Ever pronounced this as "hyper-bowl"? Welcome to the club. The correct way is "hy-PER-buh-lee."

This one trips up readers constantly because it looks exactly like it should rhyme with "Super Bowl." But nope, Greek origins strike again. Hyperbole means extreme exaggeration, and if you know this word, you've probably encountered it in literary criticism or rhetoric discussions.

When I was working in that warehouse, spending breaks reading about philosophy and human behavior on my phone, I came across this word constantly. Took me months before I heard someone say it correctly. The realization was both mortifying and enlightening – I'd been learning above my conversational environment.

3. Colonel

This military rank looks nothing like it sounds. You'd think "col-oh-nel," but it's actually pronounced "kernel" (like popcorn).

The weird spelling comes from a complicated history involving Italian, French, and English all having their way with this poor word. If you learned this from reading military fiction or historical texts, you probably had no chance of getting it right without help.

Knowing military ranks from books rather than movies or conversation? That's the mark of someone who reads widely.

4. Subtle

That "b" in the middle? Completely silent. It's "SUH-tul," not "sub-tul."

This word appears constantly in literature, especially when authors describe nuanced emotions or slight changes. If you've been pronouncing that "b," it means you learned this word visually, probably while diving deep into descriptive passages that most people skim over.

The irony isn't lost on me – mispronouncing "subtle" is perhaps the least subtle way to reveal you're a reader.

5. Draught

British spelling alert! This one's pronounced "draft," not "drawt" or "drought."

If you've read British literature, fantasy novels, or historical fiction, you've seen characters drinking draughts of ale or feeling draughts of cold air. But unless you're British or have British friends, you might never hear this pronunciation in real life.

Getting this wrong shows you're reading books that many people don't even pick up. That's intellectual curiosity right there.

6. Segue

Looks like "seg" or "seg-yoo," right? Nope, it's pronounced "SEG-way," like those two-wheeled scooters.

This word means to transition smoothly from one thing to another, and it appears frequently in sophisticated writing about music, presentations, or narrative structure. If you've been saying it wrong, you probably encountered it in books about communication, writing, or the arts.

Speaking of smooth transitions, this reminds me of something I explored in my book Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego – how intellectual humility actually demonstrates wisdom. Mispronouncing words you learned from reading? That's intellectual ambition in action.

7. Açaí

This superfood berry is pronounced "ah-sigh-EE," not "ah-KAI" or "ah-SAI."

If you learned about açaí from health books or nutrition articles rather than trendy smoothie shops, you probably butchered this one. The pronunciation includes sounds that don't naturally occur in English, making it nearly impossible to guess correctly from reading alone.

Knowing about açaí from research rather than Instagram influencers suggests you're someone who digs deep into topics that interest you.

8. Cache

It's pronounced "cash," not "cash-ay" (that would be cachet, a different word entirely).

This word appears frequently in detective novels, computer science texts, and adventure stories. A cache is a hidden storage place, and if you've been adding that extra syllable, you learned it from books rather than tech conversations or treasure-hunting reality shows.

The confusion between cache and cachet actually demonstrates sophisticated reading habits – you're encountering both words in context and trying to differentiate them.

9. Quay

This waterfront structure is pronounced "key," not "kway" or "kay."

Unless you live near a harbor or read nautical fiction, you might never hear this word spoken. It appears in travel writing, historical novels, and maritime stories. Mispronouncing it means you're reading genres that expand your horizons beyond everyday conversation.

10. Miscellaneous

The trap here is that middle syllable. It's "miss-ell-AY-nee-us," not "miss-SELL-an-ee-us."

This word appears everywhere in academic writing, organizational texts, and formal documents. If you've been emphasizing the wrong syllable, you've probably encountered it more in writing than in speech.

The fact that you use "miscellaneous" at all, regardless of pronunciation, suggests you think in categories and classifications – a sign of organized, analytical thinking.

Final words

These pronunciation mistakes aren't really mistakes at all – they're evidence of self-directed learning. While others wait to encounter new words in conversation, you're out there absorbing vocabulary from books, articles, and written content that stretches your mind.

Every mispronounced word tells a story: you read widely, you're not afraid of unfamiliar terms, and you've built your vocabulary through curiosity rather than formal instruction. That's the mark of a lifelong learner.

So the next time someone corrects your pronunciation, don't cringe. Smile and think about all those hours you spent with books, building your knowledge one page at a time. Those "mistakes" prove you're probably smarter than average – you just learned differently.

And honestly? That's something worth mispronouncing a few words for.