The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #132499   Message #4056738
Posted By: Tattie Bogle
02-Jun-20 - 01:53 PM
Thread Name: BS: Language Pet Peeves
Subject: RE: BS: Language Pet Peeves
I've never worked out why 'cervical cancer' seems to be pronounced 'cervical' ('vic' as in 'victor') when related to the entrance to the womb, but 'cerv-eye-cal' when referring to the vertebrae at the top of the spine.
I think you'll find that most medics in the UK pronounce both the same way: cerv-eye-cal. it's just TV news journalists who don't!