How to pronounce hornswoggle
Say it like HORN-swog-ul. Hornswoggle has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HORN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce hornswoggle. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- HORN
- swog
- ul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Hornswoggle pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- HORNSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- swogKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- ulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of hornswoggle
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: HAWN-swog-ul.
What does hornswoggle mean?
- To deceive or trick.“Don't let them hornswoggle you into buying anything you don't need.”
- nonsense; humbug
Where does hornswoggle come from?
Unknown, 1829 US, jocular coinage like contemporary absquatulate.
Questions about saying hornswoggle
How do you pronounce hornswoggle?
Say HORN-swog-ul. The American pronunciation is /ˈhɔrnswɑɡəl/. In British English it is /ˈhɔːnswɒɡəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in hornswoggle?
Hornswoggle has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HORN). Broken into parts: HORN · swog · ul.
Is hornswoggle pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈhɔːnswɒɡəl/ (HAWN-swog-ul).