whatyoumaycall'em
The phrase 'what-you-may-call-'em' is divided into five syllables: what-you-may-call-'em. The primary stress falls on 'call'. It's a colloquial noun phrase functioning as a placeholder for an unnamed object, composed of function words and a verb, with a contracted pronoun at the end.
Definitions
- 1
A colloquial expression used to refer to something when the speaker does not know or cannot remember its name, or does not consider it important to specify.
“Pass me that what-you-may-call-’em over there.”
“I need to find the what-you-may-call-’em to open the box.”
Stress pattern
Primary stress falls on the syllable 'call'. The other syllables are unstressed.
Syllables
what — Open syllable, initial syllable.. you — Open syllable, follows 'what'. may — Open syllable, follows 'you'. call — Closed syllable, primary stress.. 'em — Closed syllable, reduced form, contains glottal stop.
Word Parts
Vowel-Consonant-Vowel (VCV)
Vowels generally form syllable nuclei, dividing between vowels.
Consonant Clusters
Consonant clusters are generally broken after the first consonant if a vowel follows.
Contraction Syllabification
Contractions are treated as single units when they function as a pronoun.
- The pronunciation of 'you' can be reduced in rapid speech.
- Regional variations in the pronunciation of 'call' exist.
- The glottal stop in 'em' is a phonetic feature dependent on the speaker.
Nearby Words
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