Canadians are turning to Google in droves to learn how to properly pronounce challenging words, with Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Trey Yesavage and the province of Quebec ranking among the nation's most linguistically troublesome terms.
National Pronunciation Challenges
According to a comprehensive analysis by online tool Unscramblerer.com, researchers examined Google search data from January 1 to November 12, 2025 to identify the words Canadians find most difficult to pronounce. The study tracked search queries including "how do you pronounce," "pronunciations of," and "how to pronounce" to compile the definitive list of Canada's pronunciation pitfalls.
Leading the pack was the perennial tongue-twister "Worcestershire sauce" with an astonishing 139,200 searches. The savory condiment, commonly used in cooking and sometimes for dipping sushi, maintained its position as the most challenging word for Canadians to say correctly. For those wondering, the proper pronunciation is "WUSS-ter-sheer."
Food and International Terms Dominate List
The analysis revealed that culinary terms and international words pose particular challenges for Canadians. Following Worcestershire sauce in the rankings were:
- Croissant (86,400 searches) - pronounced "krwah-SAHN"
- Dachshund (84,000 searches) - pronounced "DAKS-hund"
- Charcuterie (82,600 searches) - pronounced "shar-KOO-tuh-ree"
- Schedule (74,400 searches) - pronounced "SKEJ-ool"
Other food-related terms that made the list include gyro (71,000 searches, pronounced "YEE-roh"), acai (70,900 searches, pronounced "ah-SIGH-ee"), and cacao (65,000 searches, pronounced "kah-koh").
Canadian Names and Places Prove Challenging
The study highlighted that even familiar Canadian names and places present pronunciation difficulties for residents. Quebec generated 67,200 searches for its proper pronunciation ("kwuh-bek"), while Montreal prompted 28,700 searches ("mon-tree-awl").
Toronto Blue Jays rookie pitcher Trey Yesavage, who became a household name after helping lead the team to the 2025 World Series, appeared on the list with 10,800 searches for his surname. The correct pronunciation is "YESS-uh-vij."
Other notable entries included Indigenous (20,400 searches, pronounced "uhn-di-juh-nuhs"), Qatar (58,800 searches, pronounced "KAH-tar"), and niche (41,200 searches, pronounced "NEESH").
Regional Pronunciation Variations Across Canada
The research also uncovered distinct pronunciation challenges across different provinces and territories:
- Ontario residents struggled most with "schedule"
- British Columbia searched most frequently for "Indigenous"
- Quebec residents sought help pronouncing "Montreal"
- Alberta and Yukon Territory both found "Worcestershire sauce" most challenging
- Nova Scotia searched for "Aoirse" pronunciation
A spokesperson for Unscrambler.com explained the phenomenon: "Exposure to new words through media, music, pop culture and social platforms drives curiosity. People often look up pronunciations if there is a gap between how a word or name is spelled and how it sounds."
The spokesperson added that correct pronunciation is closely tied to perceived intelligence and competence, noting that the desire for proper pronunciation stems from both avoiding social embarrassment and simple curiosity.
The complete list of Canada's most mispronounced words serves as a fascinating snapshot of the nation's linguistic challenges, demonstrating that even common words and familiar names can trip up Canadian speakers.
