How to pronounce spoonerism
Say it like SPOO-nuh-riz-um. Spoonerism has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SPOO).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce spoonerism. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SPOO
- nuh
- riz
- um
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Spoonerism pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SPOOSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
- nuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- rizGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- umKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of spoonerism
American and British speakers say spoonerism in essentially the same way: /ˈspunəˌrɪzəm/ in the US and /ˈspuːnəˌrɪzəm/ in the UK.
British respelling: SPOO-nuh-riz-um.
What does spoonerism mean?
- A play on words on a phrase in which the initial (usually consonantal) sounds of two or more of the main words are transposed.
Where does spoonerism come from?
From Spooner + -ism, named after Oxford don Reverend W.
Questions about saying spoonerism
How do you pronounce spoonerism?
Say SPOO-nuh-riz-um. The American pronunciation is /ˈspunəˌrɪzəm/. In British English it is /ˈspuːnəˌrɪzəm/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in spoonerism?
Spoonerism has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SPOO). Broken into parts: SPOO · nuh · riz · um.
Do Americans and Brits say spoonerism the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈspunəˌrɪzəm/ and the British form is /ˈspuːnəˌrɪzəm/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.