whatdoyoucallit
The phrase 'what-do-you-call-it' is divided into five syllables based on vowel sounds and maximizing onsets. The primary stress falls on 'call'. It functions as a noun phrase substituting for an unknown noun. Syllabification follows standard English rules, but colloquial pronunciation can lead to elision and reduction.
Definitions
- 1
Used to refer to something whose name one does not know or has forgotten.
“Pass me that… what-do-you-call-it… the thing for opening bottles.”
Stress pattern
Primary stress falls on the syllable 'call' (1), while 'what', 'do', and 'you' receive secondary or no stress (0).
Syllables
what — Open syllable, initial onset.. do — Open syllable, initial onset.. you — Open syllable, initial onset.. call — Closed syllable, stressed.. it — Closed syllable, final position.
Similar Words
Onset Maximization
Consonant clusters are included in the onset of the syllable whenever possible.
Vowel Peak Principle
Each syllable contains a vowel sound.
Sonority Sequencing Principle
Sounds within a syllable are ordered by decreasing sonority.
- Elision of /w/ in 'what' in some accents.
- Reduction of 'do' to /də/ or /d/ in unstressed positions.
Nearby Words
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Terms getting hyphenated by users right now.