The everyday words people really SHOULD know how to spell

There are all kinds of embarrassing Google searches. A weird rash, your ex, common knowledge you really should know… and all the words you can’t spell.

Lots of people use search engines as a dictionary these days. 

But which words are the hardest to spell? 

The folks at unscrambled words – a Scrabble cheater/helper site – looked at a year of Google Search data to spill the beans.

Restaurant – 95,000 searches

It’s as simple as pie, right? Think again! That cluster of vowels in the middle makes this one challenging. Break it down into syllables: res-tau-rant. Or, hey, picture yourself taking a rest, holding a “U” sign and ranting about something.

Pneumonia – 13,000 searches

The silent “p” will get you every time. Pneumonia is an infection in one or both lungs. The word itself is packed with pesky extra letters. Hey, at least you probably won’t need to spell it often.

Appreciate – 11,000 searches

How many people doing a Google search for this one gave up and said thanks? It starts tricky with the double “P.” Picture someone handing you an apple as a thank you.

Receipt – 9,700 searches

Finally, one with a classic rule you probably know: “I” before “E,” except after “C.” This checks the boxes, though that “PT” combo at the end is tricky, too. Sorry, you’re just going to have to memorize it.

Beautiful – 9,400 people

Yeah, a little harder than pretty. It helps to focus on the “beau” part — handsome or attractive. After that, it’s pretty smooth sailing.

Niece – 9,200 searches

Fear not, dear aunts and uncles, there’s a phrase you already know for this one: “I” before “E.” The “C” might throw you off, but it’s after the “IE” combo.

Maintenance – 8,500 searches

You’re in complicated territory whenever multiple spots could be one letter or another. It doesn’t help that maintain — a word that feels like it should be spelled the same — is a little different. For this word, break it down into syllables: main-te-nance.

Bougie – 8,300 searches

This slang term means fancy or characteristic of luxury. And you’ll find lots of people spelling it “boujee.” Remember, it’s a fancy word and a “G” feels a little fancier than a “J,” right? Right. After all, it comes from the word “bourgeoisie.”

Diarrhea – 8,200 searches

Bet you knew that one was coming. Imagine the urgency with which Google users typed those letters. There’s no shortage of ways to spell this one wrong. To spell this stomach-churning word correctly, remember the double “R” + “H.”

Congratulations – 7,100 searches

We’re willing to be it’s that “T” in the middle that trips people up the most. The way most of us pronounce it, it could be a “D” instead. Just remember “congrats” or that you “congratulate,” and you’re on the right track.