word of the day - epenthesis

[scottobear]

epenthesis (uh-PEN-thu-sis) noun

Insertion of an extra sound into a word, e.g. fillum for film.

[From Late Latin, from Greek epentithenai, to insert : ep-, epi-, (in addition) + en- (in) thesis (to place), stem of tithenia (to put).]

Exhibit 1: the regrettably ubiquitous 'ath-a-lete.' Exhibit 2: 'height-th.' Another instance of it is el-lum for elm.

Comments

[blackhellkat.livejournal.com]

My Pauline (adopted grandma/kindred spirit type) used to do that all the time. When I got the WAD mail today I was gigglingto myself the way she used to say "I love those col-li-umns on the front of your house". She often added extra syllables I always thought it was a Southern affectation meant express the foofiness of the subject being mentioned.

Re:

[scottobear.livejournal.com]

*laughs

Sure, on sweet litle old ladies, it's cute! :)