Author: Jeremy Candelas
Despite going to one of the world’s top universities, some Cornellians still have trouble pronouncing very basic things – even buildings around our own campus. We’re going to try to fix that, so say these with us now:
1. Akwe:kon (uh-GWAY-go)
This is one of the only buildings we can understand people mispronouncing. Akwe:kon is a newish building, built in 1991 as a program house to celebrate the heritage and culture of American Indians. Only about 35 students live here so it’s understandable why it’s not too well known.
2. Hans Bethe (hanz bay-tuh)
Most people can get the Hans part down pretty easily. But it’s not “Beth,” and it’s not “Beethe” or “Beth-y.” Say it with us: “Bay-tuh.” Tuh-dah.
3. Appel (uh-pell)
It’s rare to hear someone pronounce this one wrong at this point in the year, but give it a few months when the ‘19ers arrive. “Let’s go to Apple for dinner!” It’s hard to tell who’s trying to be funny and who just doesn’t get it, but this needs to stop. Even searching Google images for “Appel” brings up a page full of apples.
4. Schoellkopf Field (shoal-cough)
Amongst the countless number of mispronunciations, I’ve heard it pronounced Scheißekopf field once or twice with a straight face. Unless you have some kind of a personal vendetta against the football team, that is definitely not the word you are looking for. Technically, it’s not even a real German word. Come on y’all, we go to Cornell. Act like it.
5. Malott Hall (muh-lot)
You’re not hitting anything with a mallet here, although I’m sure many of us wouldn’t mind helping to knock this building down with one. I still get nightmares from taking calculus here.
6. Martha Van Rensselaer Hall (???)
There’s a reason we refer to it as “MVR.” We’re not even going to bother trying to pronounce this one. Just stick with the abbreviation – life’s easier this way.
7. Ujamaa (OO-juh-muh)
OO-jam-uh is close, but no cigar. According to Cornell’s website: “The word Ujamaa in the East African language of Kiswahili means the process of working together as an extended family to build and maintain a cohesive community.”
8. Weill Hall (while)
Perhaps one of the more prevalent debates on pronunciation at Cornell is whether this is “whale” hall or “wheel” hall. It’s neither of those. It’s “while.”
9. Beebe Lake (bee-bee)
The old campus superstition says that if a couple walks around the lake holding hands, they’re destined to be engaged. We’re pretty sure that knowing how to actually pronounce it is a requirement, though.
10. Cornell (ker-nul)
It’s pronounced Colonel. It’s the highest rank in the military. Get it right.
