There are far too many words that people can’t seem to get right.  Here are a few that drive me particularly crazy.

Nuclear – There is only one U in this word.  So please, no more “nucular”.  All you’re doing is invalidating the real danger that’s out there.  (quick fact: New Mexico alone has over 2,400 nuclear weapons)

Chipotle – Look at it closely and sound it out.  Chip-OT-lay.  The T comes before the L.  Practice daily.  In time you’ll get it.

Antarctica – Pronounce the first T and the first C.  That’ll help you sound less like an illiterate moron.  Again, practice daily and you should be fine.  ANT-ARC-TI-CA

Supposedly – Some people still put a B in place of the D.  Supposebly is unacceptable.  Come on, that’s just laziness.

Affidavit – Hopefully you don’t have to use this word very often, but if you do or you watch too much CSI, pronouce the last T and never, EVER say affidavid.

To see more commonly mispronounced words and phrases, visit this site.

This is categorized as NEWS — a fact that scares me more than the story itself.  Either way, they have achieved their goal.  I am afraid.

Doomsday deferred: End-of-world clock set back 1 minute

In our third installment of actual Yahoo! headlines, we explore important things:

• Astronauts pack trash, gear for ride home (Ya gotta have priorities.)
• N.Y. man’s next blood donation will be gallon No. 40 (Everyone needs a hobby.)
• Newlyweds escape hostage situation, after suspect falls asleep (I guess he took ‘kidnapping’ literally.)
• ‘The Biggest Loser’ crowns a winner (One can only hope that they see the irony in this.)
• White House uses e-mail to counter health critics (EMAIL!?!  How revolutionary.)
• Poll finds most pet owners willing to go mouth-to-muzzle (It’s different when it’s your own.)

• New device allows the blind to ’see’ with their tongues (what if they’re eating?)
• Some people just need less sleep, scientists say (are they calling us lazy?)
• Scientists able to levitate mice using magnetic fields (remember those kids with the ants and the magnifying glass?)
• Scientists can now see numbers inside peoples’ heads (what do they mean “see”?)
• NASA’s strike on moon worked, mission official says (careful, fellas!)
• Giving alcohol to brain injured patients may help, study finds (giving alcohol to anyone may help)

These are actual Yahoo! headlines that I’ve collected over the years.  Part 1 is courtesy of “Captain Obvious”, the guy who thinks we’re all complete idiots.

• Overweight friends eat more when they snack together: study
• ‘John Doe’ amnesia victim still doesn’t remember much
• Social Security freeze means seniors must scrimp
• Scientists say ants can communicate with each other
• Financial meltdown shakes up consumers’ money views

People please, let’s just think a little before we hit the “publish” button, okay?

Have you heard Cordova the yelling seal?  She sounds like a male opera singer who has just hit his thumb with a hammer for the third time! (Visit her at the New England Aquarium in Boston, MA)