Word of the day: Worcestershire

Pronunciation

Worcestershire is pronounced as WOOS-tuh-sher / WOOS-tuh-sheer for easy pronunciation.

IPA: /ˈwʊs.tə.ʃər/

Origin

The origin of the term Worcestershire has as its basis the Old English “Weogorna ceaster,” which translates as “Roman town of the Weogora tribe.” This has different pronunciations that arose over the years and hence, creates modern-day pronunciation difficulThe origin of the term Worcestershire has as its basis the Old English “Weogorna ceaster,” which translates to “Roman town of the Weogora tribe.” Different pronunciations arose over the years and thus created modern-day pronunciation difficulty, but the spelling was maintained.

Meaning

This word “Worcestershire” means historic for both an ancient realm in England and the internationally recognised fermented condiment, i.e., Worcestershire sauce. This is a combination of vinegar, anchovies, tamarind, sugar, and spices, which is highly used as a flavour enhancer for meats and other dishes across the world.

Why it’s tricky to pronounce

Worcestershire is a difficult word to pronounce because it has kept the spelling of former times when pronunciations were very different. A part of the word sanctified this process of living: not only “cester” but the rest of it, where it is quite transcribed as “stuh.” English placenames frequently maintain the old spelling, which confuses modern speakers untrained in British phonetics.

Example

Here are a few sentences to help you to fit in: 

• The recipe features a teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce for balancing the dish’s flavours.
• She put Worcestershire sauce into the marinade to get a richer, savoury taste.
• A Bloody Mary cocktail cannot be classic without a pinch of Worcestershire sauce, as it is a key ingredient.
• Worcestershire sauce is highly recommended by the chef for emphasising grilled meat dishes.
• Just like that, a dash of Worcestershire can go a long way in elevating soups, stews, and stir-fries.
• He accidentally added too much Worcestershire sauce, leaving the dish too strong.
• Worcestershire sauce is a common ingredient in both British and international kitchens.ty, but the spelling was maintained.