I sat down at my computer today and thought to myself wow. I was today years old when I learned this…

Today is Eat Brussels Sprouts Day. Brussels Sprouts have been known to be America’s most hated veggie. But in this article, this is neither here nor there. When I was reading about how much people hate Brussels I couldn’t get past the fact that Brussels isn’t Brussel. Who knew there was an ‘S’ at the end of Brussels?

I have been known to say saying and use words incorrectly all of the time but I love Brussels Sprouts and I have been saying that word incorrectly for my whole life and looking back I don’t think anyone says it correctly. I may not be alone in this one. Another one that I found out I was saying wrong was “wheelbarrow.” WheelBARROW! Not barrel. I mean folks. What is even real anymore?

Luckily I am not one of those people that tries to use big fancy words to sound smart I am just trying to get through the day not sounding ridiculous, seeing as though I talk on the radio for a living. That’s why I stay in my wheelhouse and will let everyone know when I meet them… Hi, my name is Aimee. I won’t say any phrase or saying correctly. You know what I mean, so just go with it”

Trying too hard to sound smart can backfire badly when done incorrectly; even one slip-up can make you look pretty silly.

The English Language is hard!

Don’t even get me started on the spelling of things or the one everyone seems to get wrong… Their, There or They’re. Hopefully, this article will help you with those commonly misused words or words that you have been pronouncing incorrectly for your whole life.

• 1) “effect” and “affect”

  “Affect” is almost always a verb meaning to act upon, to make a change to something. “Effect” is usually a noun, and typically means a change that happened already, one that resulted from something else acting on it.

• 2) “chomping at the bit” and “champing at the bit”

  It’s “champing,” although many people say “chomping,” so you won’t raise too many eyebrows if you say it incorrectly. This phrase has been referred to horses anxiously grinding or champing their teeth on their bit.

• 3) “discrete” and “discreet”

  “Discreet” means capable of keeping secrets or unobtrusive. “Discrete” means separate or distinct.

• 4) "Honing in" "Homing in"

  Never say “honing in.” You home in. “Homing in” initially described carrier pigeons returning to their homes, then, by the 1920s, described aircraft and missiles being guided to a target. From there, it came to generally mean anyone or anything focusing on or directed towards a goal.

• 5) “should of” and “should have”

  “Have” is the main verb part of this phrase, and it should always be included, either as the complete “have” or the contraction ”’ve.” The wrong “of” usage comes from how that contraction sounds.

• 6) "Accept" and "Except"

  The word “accept” means to receive or agree to something. To “except” something, however, means to exclude it.

• 7) "Beside" and "Besides"

  The word “beside” means next to something, while the word “besides” means in addition to something.

• 8) "Clinch" and "Clench"

  To “clench” means to close, grasp or grip something tightly, while to “clinch” means to make something certain or final.

• 9) "Elicit" and "Illicit"

  The word “elicit” means to draw forth or bring out, while the word “illicit” means something illegal or unlawful

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