whatd'yecall'em
The word 'what-d'ye-call-'em' is a colloquial contraction in British English. It is divided into four syllables: what-d'ye-call-'em, with primary stress on 'call'. The syllabification follows the onset-rime principle and considers the contracted forms of 'do you' and 'them'.
Definitions
- 1
A casual way of asking for the name or identification of something.
“I found this strange tool in the shed, what-d'ye-call-'em?”
Stress pattern
Primary stress falls on the syllable 'call' (third syllable).
Syllables
what — Open syllable, vowel followed by consonant.. d'ye — Closed syllable, consonant-vowel-consonant (contracted form).. call — Closed syllable, consonant-vowel-consonant.. 'em — Open syllable, vowel following a glottal stop (contraction).
Similar Words
Onset-Rime Principle
Syllables are divided based on the onset (initial consonants) and rime (vowel and following consonants).
Vowel as Syllable Nucleus
Each syllable must contain a vowel sound as its nucleus.
Contraction Handling
Contractions are treated as single words for syllabification, but original morphemic boundaries are considered.
- Highly colloquial and relies on contraction.
- Apostrophes indicate elision and contraction.
- Regional variations in pronunciation of 'd'ye'.
Nearby Words
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