4 syllables: Gob, ble, dy, gook. Stress on gook.
gah-buhl-dee-GUUK
/ˌɡɑbəldiˈɡʊk/
Gobbledygook is pronounced gah-buhl-dee-GUUK (/ˌɡɑbəldiˈɡʊk/). It has four syllables (Gob-ble-dy-gook), with the stress on "gook". Gobbledygook is a noun referring to language that is meaningless, overly complex, or pompous jargon. It describes speech or writing that is hard to understand because it hides simple ideas behind technical or bureaucratic phrasing. The term often conveys frustration with confusing prose and unnecessary complexity.
nounGobbledygook is a noun referring to language that is meaningless, overly complex, or pompous jargon. It describes speech or writing that is hard to understand because it hides simple ideas behind technical or bureaucratic phrasing. The term often conveys frustration with confusing prose and unnecessary complexity.
- Misplacing stress: Many speakers put primary stress on a later syllable (e.g., gob-bled-yGOOk). Correction: keep GOB-ble-di-gooK with the main stress on GOB and a light, rapid middle. - Vowel reduction in the middle: The /eɪ/ or /i/ in the middle can be reduced to a schwa; practice with deliberate articulation: /ˈɡɒb.əl.diˌɡuːk/. - Mispronouncing the /dʒ/ in the third syllable: Some may say /g/ or /dʒi/ as separate; keep the /dʒ/ affricate directly before /iː/ or /uː/. Practice by bridging /l/ to /dʒ/ smoothly.
"The policy document was full of gobbledygook, making it impossible to grasp the actual requirements."
"She cut through the gobbledygook in the contract and highlighted the essential clauses."
"The professor warned that some academic articles can descend into gobbledygook if readers aren’t careful with terminology."
US: /ˈɡɒbəlˌdiˌɡuːk/; UK: /ˈɡɒb.əldʒiˌɡuːk/; AU: /ˈɡɒb.əldʒiˌɡuːk/. Primary stress is on the first syllable (GOB), with a secondary emphasis on the third syllable (goo) and a light, quick final /k/. Mouth positions: start with an open back [ɒ] vowel, then a light /b/ followed by a SCHWA-like /ə/ before /l/ and the /dʒ/ in -d(y) (as in
Two frequent errors are misplacing the stress and mispronouncing the -gook ending. Ensure you keep the primary stress on the first syllable: GOB-bleh-di-gook. The middle syllable often becomes a reduced vowel; try not to over-articulate it. Lastly, the /dʒ/ in the third syllable should be the same sound as in 'judge', not a hard 'g'. Practice the sequence GOB-bleh-dʒi-goo-k with clean consonants.
US tends to a stronger rhotic /ɹ/ and a clear /ɡuːk/ ending. UK often shows more clipped vowels and can reduce the -eye- portion; AU tends to a broader /ɡɔː/ for the first syllable and a slightly longer -ee- component before /ɡuːk/. In all, the final /g/ blends with /uː/; the /dʒ/ remains consistent as in 'judge'. IPA references help track subtle shifts.
It challenges you with an unfamiliar consonant cluster in the middle (-l-di-) and a final /-ɡuːk/ sequence that blends /dʒ/ into /uːk/. The sequence demands precise timing: stop consonants (/b/, /d/), a palatal affricate /dʒ/ and a long back high vowel /uː/. Also, the two short vowels and the linked 'gook' can invite vowel reduction if you hurry, so deliberate articulation is key.
Gobbledygook uniquely blends a strong initial stressed syllable with a light, nearly unstressed middle and a rounded, long 'gook' ending. The /dʒ/ sound in the third syllable is a focal point: it requires lifting the middle of the tongue to palate and releasing into a voiced affricate, then gliding into /uːk/. This contrasts with simpler endings like -cook or -hook, making it memorable and perceptually distinct in speech.
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- US: Rhythm tends to be slightly more syllable-timed; emphasize the first syllable with a crisp onset and ensure the final /uːk/ is rounded. /ɒ/ can be broader; mouth opens wider than in UK. - UK: Slightly more vowel reduction in the middle; keep /ɡoʊ/ or /ɒ/ compact and avoid excess rounding; final /uːk/ is clear but not elongated. - AU: Tend to a broader, flatter vowel in /ɒ/ and a longer /uː/; ensure the /dʒ/ is not swallowed. Reference IPA for precise distinctions and keep rhoticity minimal unless stressed in connected speech.
Gobbledygook originated in the mid-20th century, popularized by American politicians. The exact origin is uncertain, but it is widely attributed to Maury Maverick, a U.S. Congressman who used the term in 1944 to describe convoluted language in government communications. The word evokes the sounds of a goose (gobble) and the suffix -gook, implying nonsense or unreadable text. It quickly entered common usage as a humorous label for bureaucratic or overly technical prose. Since its first emergence, gobbledygook has expanded into generic references for any writing or speech that is needlessly opaque, particularly in official documents, legalese, and policy briefs. Its appeal lies in its vivid auditory imagery, combining a familiar animal sound with a sense of inaccessibility. Over time, the term has maintained a light, humorous register but is still effective in critiquing opaque communication across sectors and languages, including media, academia, and government communications.
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Words that rhyme with "Gobbledygook"
-ook sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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