My husband was once playing an on-line video game. (Okay, I was playing too. Shut up.) We somehow ended up discussing, in text, the proper pronunciation of “debacle.”

Unfortunately, we were discussing the issue with one player from Indiana and two from Tennessee. And the winning answer was that “debacle” should be pronounced as it is in the sentence, “Dere’s a mustang on de backle on my belt.”

I’m not convinced.

I was reminded of this issue last weekend when I friend of mine used “recalcitrant” in conversation. Now THAT was impressive. I made her repeat it a dozen times, and I still can’t remember how to pronounce it this morning.

I DO know how to say wubble.