How Do you Pronounce 'Conch'?

[Mark Goode]

I've always heard it pronounced 'consh', but I read recently that the correct pronunciation is 'conk'. In the UK, 'conk' is a slang term for nose (almost always used in a humerous context). So I wondered, is it just we Brits? Or even just some of us?

 

[PrattysReef]

In Australia I've heard it both ways but when I read it I pronounce it conk

 

[firechild]

It comes from the latin word concha which is pronounced with a "ch". Unsurprisingly the Americans butchered it and decided it had a "k" sound.

 

[albano]

. Unsurprisingly the Americans butchered it and decided it had a "k" sound.

Of course we did…how else could we eat it!

 

[ying yang]

I say consh when reading aloud or mention it to anyone .
And not heard anyone say " he's got a big conk" for years now ha ha
Used to always hear it growing up

Yorkie in scouse land ^_^

Just looked on map where you are,and brought back some childhood memories when my dad was in army,one my best friends was from Kettering, just next town away from you ^_^

 

[Jekyl]

Konch

 

[Reef.]

Con-ch

 

[teethdoctor23]

It comes from the latin word concha which is pronounced with a "ch". Unsurprisingly the Americans butchered it and decided it had a "k" sound.

As an American who was raised in Florida, near the Bahamas, where conch is eaten regularly, it’s definitely pronounced con-ch

 

[Mschmidt]

Con-ch here.

 

[Reef.]

I’ve never heard is pronounced conk.

 

[Cell]

Bahamians pronounce it conk.

 

[Cell]

 

[Sshannon]

I'm gonna weigh in on this.

If you live in the Florida Keys, you may be part of the Conch Republic. If you were born in Key West, Florida...you are called a conch (pronounced Conk). If you have lived in Key West for 7+ years, you are a freshwater conch (Pronounced Conk). The Florida Keys aren't forgiving to tourists who pronounce it con-ch. You are immediately considered a gullible mark by the locals, who will immediately correct your pronunciation and try to sell you something.

Wherever you are, ask a local to pronounce it first, then go with whatever they say. Saves you a lot of hassle.

 

[Reefing102]

I use conk and con-ch interchangeably depending on how it’s being used. If I’m speaking outloud I say conk but when reading I usually read it as con-ch

 

[Cell]

I use conk and con-ch interchangeably depending on how it’s being used. If I’m speaking outloud I say conk but when reading I usually read it as con-ch

You hear a word in your head differently than you would pronounce it? That is interesting.

 

[asydabass]

I spent the first 33 years living in south Florida. Lived in the FL Keys for the past 4 years. Spent tons of times in the bahamas. It’s 100% pronounced konk. Any other pronunciation warrants an instant eye. I find it’s best to trust the pronunciation from the folks who live within the animals native habitat.

 

[Cell]

It's my favorite thing to eat in the Bahamas.

 

[Jo P White]

Same, lived in SoFlo my entire life, I’ve always said konk and that’s how I’ve always heard.

 

[CrunchyBananas]

It comes from the latin word concha which is pronounced with a "ch". Unsurprisingly the Americans butchered it and decided it had a "k" sound.

Which is why it is technically pronounced Con-k. There are no soft c's in latin, so concha would sound like konka.
I've taken a few years of latin, and courses in ichthyology and marine botany that all put emphasis on pronunciation of latin nomenclature and identification.

 

[aSaltyKlown]

In Lord of the Flies, it is pronounced Con-ch. Of course, any other pronunciation is wrong!