We have fads in fashion and, obviously in popular culture.  That’s where it should stop.  Whence fads in pronunciation?

It’s troubling to me that, after 30 years of hearing a word pronounced one way, suddenly it’s pronounced in another.  And, unfortunately, this stuff catches on.

For instance, the one I’ve noticed lately is “syndrome.”  Now, to me, this word is pronounced “sin’-drome.”  Second syllable rhymes with “Rome.”  Yet, twice yesterday, I heard people on the radio pronouncing it “sin’-drum,” or “sin’-drihm.”  Like “rim.”

I’ve also heard “program” pronounced “pro’-grihm,” or sometimes “pro’-grum.”

(I wonder if people aren’t getting the pronunciation of these words mixed up with “spectrum.”)

The height of cool.  I guess those guys know something I don’t.  I look this stuff up.  I tend to go with the first pronunciation in the dictionary.

And, what about “niche”?  Hasn’t it always rhymed with “rich”?  Nope.  A few years ago, it became “neesh.”  Yeah.  Very cool.  I guess you must think you’re French or something.

And, another favorite.  “Angst.”  If you’re cool, it’s “ongst.”  Silly, uncool me.  I still say “angst,” so the first three letters rhyme with “rang.”  Makes me all anxious just thinkin’ about it.