The Absurdity of English

ghoti Permalink ¶

Pronounced like:

fish

Because:

touGH → f
wOmen → i
moTIon → sh

ceougholo Permalink ¶

Pronounced like:

shower

Because:

oCEan → sh
bOUGH → ow
cOLOnel → er

ghoughphtheightteeau Permalink ¶

Pronounced like:

potato

Because:

hiccouGH → p
dOUGH → o
PHTHisis → t
nEIGHbour → a
gazeTTE → t
platEAU → o

You can read more about how peculiar the language is on Wikipedia.

And if you really want to make yourself dizzy, try reading The Chaos by Gerard Nolst Trenité!