Hand on Shoulder Meme: Akakichi no Eleven Redraws Explained

How this 70s anime clip became the internet’s new art project

The hand on shoulder meme shows an anime character placing his hand on the shoulder of another man, presumably to reassure him. People use the meme as a tongue-in-cheek reaction image when someone says they're dealing with something tough, like a minor inconvenience or annoyance. In this article, we explain what the hand on shoulder meme is, where it comes from, how to use it, and more. Read on to learn everything you need to know about this popular online meme (including how it became one of the more popular redrawn memes of recent memory). Beware: There are Bleach and Dragon Ball Z spoilers ahead.

The Popular Hand on Shoulder Meme Explained

The hand on shoulder meme from Akakichi no Eleven depicts a large-chinned man putting his hand on the shoulder of another man in reassurance. The meme is used in a tongue-in-cheek way to playfully poke fun at someone's tough situation, letting them know that the odds are against them.

Steps

What is the hand on shoulder meme?

1. The meme shows an anime character with his hand on a man's shoulder. The meme is typically used as a way to playfully comfort and poke fun at someone when they're facing a situation that doesn’t look good for them. For example, if your entire class period just bombed a test and one of your friends from next period asks if the test was easy, sending the hand on shoulder meme would send the message that it wasn’t easy in the slightest.^[1]
   
   • The image used in the hand on shoulder meme originates from Akakichi no Eleven soccer anime.
   • The hand on shoulder meme isn’t typically used to comfort someone when they’re in a legitimately tough situation, like going through a breakup or tragedy. It's used in more low stakes situations, like minor inconveniences or annoyances.

Where does the hand on shoulder meme come from?

1. The meme originates from the 1970s anime Akakichi no Eleven. The Akakichi no Eleven soccer anime featured a frame from episode 43, where a large-chinned man put his shoulder onto another character in front of him and smirked. He was accompanied by another man, who stood behind him and also smirked at the other character. This gesture eventually caught the attention of the internet, becoming a meme in late 2023.^[2]
   
   • Although a hand on the shoulder is typically comforting, in Akakichi no Eleven, it was used ironically. This ironic use was soon picked up by the internet and applied to other anime.
2. The meme got popular in France in 2023 and went viral in 2024. French X users started to use the Akakichi no Eleven image in late 2023, and soon caught the attention of the rest of the internet. In 2024, users on X, Instagram, and TikTok began redrawing the frame with renditions of characters who fit their interpretation of the meme. Some used the meme to reference Ichigo and Kisuke’s fight against Aizen in Bleach, while others used it to refer to the Saibaman’s fight against Yamcha in Dragon Ball Z.^[3]
   
   • The meme became so popular that one TikToker boasted about their collection of anime-related Akakichi no Eleven memes.
     • On September 16, 2024, @noschoolsaturday posted a TikTok of various anime characters in situations where they soften the blow of defeat, like Dragon Ball’s Majin Buu and Babidi consoling Dabura (who Buu later turned into chocolate).

Examples of the Hand on Shoulder Meme

1. The meme spawned many other memes across social media platforms. The Dragon Ball Z renditions of the hand on shoulder meme are classic, with X user @fh4dr’s redraw gaining over 25,000 likes in five days. There were also renditions with popular Attack on Titan characters, Naruto characters, and One Piece characters. Other examples include:^[4]
   
   • Reddit user u/C_h_i_m_e_r_a’s redraw with characters from the Gintama comedy anime.
   • Reddit user u/This_Weeb_is_ded’s redraw with Sonic characters Doctor Eggman and Silver the Hedgehog.
   • Reddit user u/FishComplex6549’s redraw with Higuruma, Yuji, and Sukuna from Jujutsu Kaisen.

How to Use the Hand on Shoulder Meme

1. Use it to let someone know an outcome may not favor them. Whether you know that you won’t be able to make it to pre-scheduled plans or you know an outcome isn't going to go the way your friend hopes, like a potential rejection by a crush or sports team, send the hand on shoulder meme to casually let them know. If they’re aware of the context of the meme, they’ll likely get the hint and realize the situation isn’t going their way.
   
   • Say something like “Options looking slim, bro,” or “I don’t think it’s looking good,” to affirm the message.
2. Send it it to playfully comfort someone in annoying situations. When you know someone’s in a situation that they won’t be able to get out of, like someone stepping on their shoes, or a movie date with someone they don’t necessarily like, use the hand on shoulder meme to playfully comfort them. It will let them know that the situation isn’t great, but there’s not much to do about it.
   
   • Avoid using this in serious situations when someone is actually upset. While you may intend to poke fun, it can make the person feel worse about the predicament they’re in.
   • GIFS & Memes to Use:
     • The Classic Hand-on-Shoulder
     • IRL Variation
     • Itachi, Kisame, and Kurenai Variation (Naruto)
     • One Piece Variation
     • Piccolo and Vegeta Variation (Dragon Ball Z)
3. Redraw the meme with your own characters to customize it. This is a popular format for the hand on shoulder meme. Take the original image, trace over the characters’ bodies and general features (face shape, arm placement, etc.), then redraw specific features to fit the anime characters in the moment you’re trying to refer to. The drawing doesn’t have to be a 1:1 copy from the anime. It’s better if most features resemble the original image.
   
   • For example, to refer to the moment when Ulquiorra Cifer revealed his rank as the 4th Espada (rather than the first, like Ichigo thought), draw Ulquiorra as the one putting his hand on Ichigo’s shoulder and draw Orihime as the background character.

What does it mean when someone puts their hand on your shoulder?

1. They’re trying to support and comfort you. Most of the time, a hand on the shoulder is a comforting gesture. It can be used in exciting, scary, and romantic situations, applying to all different types of emotional settings. For example, if you just found out that you got your dream job, your friend may put their hands on your shoulders as they jump in celebration, letting you know how happy they are for you.^[5]
   
   • On the other side of the coin, if you just went through a hard breakup, your friend may put their hand on your shoulder as they give some words of comfort and encouragement.
2. They’re letting you down easy. Sometimes, the hand on the shoulder is followed by a soft let-down. In this case, the hand on the shoulder is a comforting body language tactic that lets you know that there’s no hard feelings, but the outcome isn’t going to turn out the way you like.
   
3. They’re trying to express dominance. In some contexts, a hand on the shoulder can be a dominating gesture, especially when it’s done by someone that you don’t know or who is superior to you. For example, if you’re talking to a coworker about something that’s not safe for work and your boss comes up from behind and puts their hand on your shoulder, they’re calmly letting you know that they’re in the room and won’t tolerate that kind of talk.^[6]
   
4. They’re telling you to calm down. If you’re starting to get heated or too emotional in a particular situation, your friend may come down to your eye level, put their hand on your shoulder, and try to bring you back down to earth. They may tell you to calm down or take a second to breathe, doing their best to try and rein you in before tensions get too high.^[7]
   
5. They enjoy your presence and feel comfortable around you. If the person you’re talking to casually puts their hand on your shoulder and starts rubbing it or doing the thumb thing, they likely feel comfortable around you and safe in your presence. This is most likely to be done by a love interest or partner, as the thumb thing and soft touches tend to be more romantic.
   
   • If you and the person rubbing your shoulder are close friends, it may be a platonic expression of their comfort.
   • The thumb thing is a flirty, romantic gesture where someone rubs your hand or thigh with their thumb. They typically rub up and down or in a circular motion.

Other Popular Memes

1. It’s Not Clocking to You{endbold} The It’s Not Clocking to You meme originates from a video of Justin Bieber telling off the paparazzi. While Bieber intended to let the paparazzi know that “It’s not clocking to you that I’m standing on business,” social media users have used clips of the video to make fun of his butchering of AAVE slang.
2. If Not Friend, Why Friend Shaped{endbold} The If Not Friend, Then Why Friend Shaped meme is used to refer to animals that are cute but wild, and in some cases, deadly. While these animals aren’t safe to get close to, many people recognize their cuteness and ask themselves (and the internet) the question, “If not friend, then why friend-shaped?”
3. Old Man Yells at Cloud{endbold} The Old Man Yells at Cloud meme originates from The Simpsons when a newspaper published a story of Grandpa Simpson with the headline “Old Man Yells at Cloud.” The meme is used to poke fun at people who have outdated or out-of-touch opinions. For example, if you have a grandparent who insists on getting angry because people use pronouns, you could use the Old Man Yells at Cloud meme to joke about them.^[8]
4. My Shayla{endbold} The My Shayla meme is a TikTok meme where users post videos of their cute pets and partners with the sound “Oh my God, My Shayla!” It’s used to show how cute their pets and partners are, especially when they do something that upsets the person posting, as they remember the cuteness in their moments of anger.^[9]
   • For example, on December 30, 2024, @augustthatgolden posted a cute TikTok of her puppy under the sound with the caption, “When I get annoyed at my puppy but remember this is who I’m talking to.”

Video

References

1. ↑ https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/akakichi-no-eleven-redraws
2. ↑ https://www.dailydot.com/memes/atakichi-no-eleven-redraws-meme/
3. ↑ https://www.dailydot.com/memes/atakichi-no-eleven-redraws-meme/
4. ↑ https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/akakichi-no-eleven-redraws
5. ↑ https://www.psychmechanics.com/pat-on-shoulder-body-language/
6. ↑ https://www.psychmechanics.com/pat-on-shoulder-body-language/
7. ↑ https://www.psychmechanics.com/pat-on-shoulder-body-language/
8. ↑ https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/old-man-yells-at-cloud
9. ↑ https://tribune.com.pk/story/2520612/heartbreaking-backstory-behind-the-viral-my-shayla-tiktok-sound

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10 Common Eye Shapes (+ How to Find Yours)

How to choose the right eyelashes & glasses for your eye type

You might have heard of hooded or monolid eyes, but did you know there are 10 different eye types? These eye types are determined by the overall shape and angle of the eyes and eyelids, and each is suited to different makeup, eyelash, and glasses styles. In this article, we’ll teach you everything you need to know about each eye type, with helpful makeup tips provided by makeup artists and beauty experts. Plus, we’ll explain how to determine your eye shape and more!

What type of eyes do I have?

• Almond: Eyes are longer than they are wide with a visible crease.
• Round: Eyes are large, prominent, and more circular than other eye types.
• Monolid: Eyes have a less visible eyelid crease or no crease at all.
• Hooded: The skin from the upper eyelid covers the lower part of the lid.

Steps

10 Different Types of Eyes

1. Almond{endbold} Almond-shaped eyes are longer than they are wide, like an almond! These eyes taper to a point at both the inner tear duct and the outer corner. Almond eyes typically have a visible crease, smaller eyelids, and don’t generally show the whites of the eye on top of or below the irises.^[1]
   
   • Best eyelashes: To emphasize the eye shape, choose lashes that increase in length and volume from the inner to outer corner of your eye.
   • Best eyeglasses styles: Most frames, especially cat eye styles.
   • Makeup tips: Makeup artist Alana Schober notes that, “with almond eyes, you can get away with a thicker wing liner, or you can make it whatever shape you want.”^[2] Go for a smoky eye or a cat eye using light eyeshadow on the lids and darker shadow on the outer corners.
   • People with almond eyes: Beyoncé, Kim Kardashian, Harry Styles
2. Round{endbold} Round eyes are large and prominent and have a more circular shape than other eye types. The whites of the eyes (called the sclera) are typically visible around the iris, and the inner and outer corners of the eye are rounded and don’t pull inward or outward.^[3]
   
   • Best eyelashes: Create a cat-eye look by using wispy, natural lashes that are longer on the outer corners.
   • Best eyeglasses styles: Rectangular, cat-eye, square, and browline frames.
   • Makeup tips: Create a longer shape by blending the eyeshadow outward to highlight the outer corner of the eye and applying winged eyeliner; avoid lining the lower lash so the eyes appear more almond-shaped.
   • People with round eyes: Hasan Minhaj, Katy Perry, Zooey Deschanel
3. Monolid{endbold} Monolid eyes are most commonly found in Asian populations and have a less visible eyelid crease (or no crease at all). Most or all of the eyelid is usually hidden, and the eyelid is typically shallow or smooth. Monolid eyelids can appear more hooded as they age.^[4]
   
   • Best eyelashes: Opt for lashes that are shorter on the inner corners and increase in length as they reach the outer corners.
   • Best eyeglasses styles: Rectangular or square-shaped angular frames.
   • Makeup tips: Apply layers of eyeshadow tones vertically from the eyelid to the brow bone, using lighter colors as you move upward. Blend well and use a bold eyeliner to make your eyes pop.
   • People with monolid eyes: Awkwafina, Lucy Liu, Jackie Chan
4. Protruding{endbold} Protruding eyes appear to “bulge” from the eye socket and jut out further than other eye types. They have very noticeable, visible eyelids, and are considered the most dramatic and expressive of the 10 types of eyes.^[5]
   
   • Best eyelashes: To elongate the eyes and create a cat-eye look, choose wispy or layered medium-length lashes.
   • Best eyeglasses styles: Rectangular, square-shaped, aviator, browline frames.
   • Makeup tips: Use darker matte shadows blended into the crease to make the eyes less prominent. Apply eyeliner to the lash line and thicken it slightly to create a subtle wing.
   • People with protruding eyes: Octavia Spencer, Rami Malek, Christina Ricci
5. Downturned{endbold} Downturned eyes have outer corners that are set lower on the face than the inner corners. This can sometimes give the eyes a slightly “droopy” shape. Downturned eyes also have upper eyelids that dip down to meet the lower lashline.^[6]
   
   • Best eyelashes: If you want your eyes to look less downturned, opt for lashes that push up and curl in the outer corner of the eye. Include a double lash in the center or on the final outer lash.
   • Best eyeglasses styles: Cat-eye, round frames.
   • Makeup tips: Use lighter shades of eyeshadow in the inner corners and darker shades on the outer “v” of the eye. Apply eyeliner with a slight upward wing.
   • People with downturned eyes: Katie Holmes, Joe Jonas, Anne Hathaway
6. Upturned{endbold} Upturned eyes tilt upwards and have outer corners that are higher than the inner corners. They also have a bottom lash line that curves upward to meet the top lashes at the outer corner of the eye. Upturned eyes are known as “cat eyes,” and are considered quite exotic in appearance.^[7]
   
   • Best eyelashes: Lean into the cat-eye look with lashes that are shorter on the inner corners and longer on the outer corners.
   • Best eyeglasses styles: Cat-eye, square-shaped, aviator frames.
   • Makeup tips: Use a winged eyeliner, highlight the inner corner with a shimmery eyeshadow, and apply more mascara on the outer lashes.
   • People with upturned eyes: Kendall Jenner, Megan Fox, Rihanna
7. Close-set{endbold} Close-set eyes appear closer together on the face, with less than one eyeball’s width between them, distance-wise. This amount of distance is considered smaller than average and can cause the eyes to look smaller or the face to appear more compact.^[8]
   
   • Best eyelashes: Choose flared cat-eye lashes to elongate the eye and emphasize the outer corners; three-quarter lashes that concentrate on the outer portion of the eyes work well.
   • Best eyeglasses styles: Glasses with a thin or clear bridge, colors that are darker on the sides and lighter towards the middle.
   • Makeup tips: Use lighter eyeshadow on the inner corners and darker shadow on the outer corners. Blend it well, and focus the eyeliner on the outer corners, adding a slight wing.
   • People with close-set eyes: Sarah Jessica Parker, Ryan Gosling, Miley Cyrus
8. Wide-set{endbold} Wide-set eyes are farther apart on the face than other eye types, with more than one eyeball’s width of distance between them. This amount of distance is considered above average and can sometimes affect vision.^[9]
   
   • Best eyelashes: Choose lashes that are longer on the inner corners and shorter on the outer corners of the eye to balance the width of the eyes. Doll’s eye lashes that are longest in the center are often a good choice.
   • Best eyeglasses styles: Chunkier, bold frames in a variety of colors.
   • Makeup tips: To make your wide-set eyes look closer together, certified professional makeup artist Anjuli Yera, MD, says, “Drag your inner corner eyeliner a bit closer to your midline and create a peak or fine point as you continue the liner into the lower lash line from the inner corner out. Repeat on the other eye's inner corner to create a symmetrical appearance on both inner corners.”^[10]
   • People with wide-set eyes: Anya-Taylor Joy, Will Smith, Uma Thurman
9. Deep-set{endbold} Deep-set eyes have a prominent brow bone and are set further back into the eye socket than other types of eyes. Deep-set eyes can have a more angular or sharp shape, appear smaller, or include a greater distance between the eyes and eyebrows.^[11]
   
   • Best eyelashes: Draw out the eyes with more pronounced “Hollywood” lashes that use criss-crossing with thicker lashes.
   • Best eyeglasses styles: Rounded or oval-shaped frames with a slight lift on the outer edges.
   • Makeup tips: Use light, shimmery shades on the eyelid and create a tight eyeliner line on the upper lid; focus mascara on the outer corners of the eyes.
   • People with deep-set eyes: Jennifer Aniston, Emma Watson, Kate Moss
10. Hooded{endbold} Hooded eyes are known for having a heavy browline with a deep-set crease, meaning the skin from the upper eyelid covers the lower part of the lid. Hooded eyelids usually retract into the crease when the eyes are open. Like monolid eye shapes, hooded eyes can appear more hooded as they age.^[12]
    
    • Best eyelashes to choose: Longer lashes with a more prominent curl at the outer edges.
    • Best eyeglasses styles: Large, cat-eye, or round-shaped frames with a high bridge.
    • Makeup tips: Beauty, DEI & social media expert Joseph Harwood recommends “learning to use waterproof pen eyeliner because it resists the oils that naturally build up on the eyelid and doesn't imprint into the hood. If you're trying to avoid things like transparent eyeliner, using a waterproof product is your best bet.”^[13]
    • People with hooded eyes: Brad Pitt, Emma Stone, Bella Hadid

How to Determine Your Eye Shape

1. Measure the space between your eyes to find out your eye spacing. Take your thumb and index finger and place them on the inner and outer corners of your eye (which eye you measure will determine whether your thumb rests on your inner or outer corner). Then, lift your thumb and forefinger, keep them still, and place them in the space between your eyes. The results are as follows:^[14]
   
   • Average-set eyes: Your thumb and forefinger line up with your two tear ducts on the inner edges of your eyes.
   • Close-set eyes: Your thumb and forefinger feel as if they’re poking the inside of your eyes slightly.
   • Wide-set eyes: Your thumb and forefinger leave a little bit of extra space between your eyes and don’t touch your tear ducts.
2. Touch below your eyes to see if they’re deep-set or prominent. Using one finger from each hand, gently touch along the lower lash line of both eyes at the same time. If you can feel the shape of your eyeball, your eyes are more likely to be protruding or bulging. You might also visibly see a slight curvature beneath the skin of your lower lashes. If you feel a flatness instead of the curve of an eyeball, you probably have deep-set eyes.^[15]
   
   • You may also simply be able to look at your eyes to tell if they’re protruding or deep-set.
3. Look at the inner and outer corners to see if your eyes are down- or upturned. If the outer corners of your eyes appear to be lower than your inner corners, you have downturned eyes, or “puppy dog” eyes. If the opposite is true, and the inner corners of your eyes are lower than the outer corners, you have upturned eyes.^[16]
   
   • Another way to visualize your eyes is to imagine a straight line passing through the center of your pupils. If your outer eye corners are below that line, you have downturned eyes; if they’re above that line, you have upturned eyes.
4. Examine the crease of your eyelid to see if you have hooded eyes. If you can see the upper crease of your eyelid, your eyes are considered average. If your upper eyelid crease appears heavy and rests slightly above your eyes, you have hooded eyes. No matter what eye shape you have, your eyes can appear more hooded as you age.^[17]
   
   • Hooded eyes have excess skin that sits right above your eyes, which makes your eyelid creases disappear; monolid eyes don’t have a visible eyelid crease at all, and look smooth and flat.
5. Observe the irises of your eyes to determine your eye shape. Can you see the whites of your eyes above and beneath the iris? If so, you have round-shaped eyes. If your iris touches both the upper and lower lids of your eyes, you have almond-shaped eyes.^[18]
   
   • If your eyes are longer than they are wide, you have almond eyes; if your eyes are similar in length and width, you have round eyes.
   • The iris is the colored part of your eyes that contains your pupils.
   • Take the Eye Shape Chart Challenge on TikTok for a new way to determine the shape of your eyes.

How does eye shape affect makeup application?

1. The shape of your eyes can affect how you apply makeup. Different eye shapes require different makeup application techniques to enhance your features and create your desired look. For example, the same technique may look a certain way on almond eyes but look completely different on hooded eyes.
   • Try the makeup tips in our 10 Different Types of Eyes section to find the perfect look for your eye shape.
   • Remember, you can do your makeup however you want, even if it isn’t “right” for your eye shape. If you like how it looks, that’s all that matters!

Different Types of Eyes FAQs

1. What is the rarest eye shape? There is no one “rare” eye shape. Some eye shapes are more common than others depending on where you live. For instance, monolid eyes are very common in Asian populations, but are much rarer in European Caucasian populations. Almond-shaped eyes are also seen more in East and South Asian and Middle Eastern populations, although they can appear worldwide according to particular familial genetics.^[19]
2. Why do different eye shapes exist? In some cases, eye shapes like hooded or monolid eyes evolved in certain world populations because of a need. For example, many East Asian, Southeast Asian, Polynesian, and Native American populations have what is called an “epicanthic fold,” caused by fat deposits beneath the skin; it’s said to protect the eyes from harsh desert or snowy environments.^[20]
3. Do eye shapes differ between males and females? In certain populations, male eyes appear more narrow and oval, while certain female eye shapes appear more round or almond-shaped. Overall, male eyes tend to be deeper set than female eyes, but these tendencies are not hard and fast rules in any population.^[21]
4. Does eye shape affect your eye color? No, eye shape doesn’t have any effect on eye color. The different types of brown eyes, green eyes, and blue eyes are all determined by the amount of melanin in the iris. Eye shape relates to the structure of the eyelid, along with the many bones surrounding the eye sockets, which gives eyes an overall shape and appearance.^[22]
5. What are “hunter” eyes? Hunter eyes are deep-set, almond-shaped eyes that are also often upturned. This unique combination of eye shapes is said to come across as confident and dominant, due to the intense focus that the eye shapes help create. They typically have a hooded or flat upper eyelid, which also helps create the sometimes seductive gaze. People attempt to get hunter eyes through everything from facial expressions and exercises to massage and cosmetic procedures.^[23]

Video

References

1. ↑ https://www.belorens.com/blog/types-of-eyes/
2. ↑ [v161823_b01]. 15 Jun 2021.
3. ↑ https://www.today.com/style/what-my-eye-shape-best-tips-each-according-makeup-artists-t157085
4. ↑ https://www.today.com/style/what-my-eye-shape-best-tips-each-according-makeup-artists-t157085
5. ↑ https://www.belorens.com/blog/types-of-eyes/
6. ↑ https://www.allaboutvision.com/eye-care/cosmetic/how-to-determine-eye-shape/
7. ↑ https://www.today.com/style/what-my-eye-shape-best-tips-each-according-makeup-artists-t157085
8. ↑ https://plano.co/eye-shapes/
9. ↑ https://plano.co/eye-shapes/
10. ↑ [v161966_b01]. 29 Sep 2021.
11. ↑ https://www.belorens.com/blog/types-of-eyes/
12. ↑ https://www.allaboutvision.com/eye-care/cosmetic/how-to-determine-eye-shape/
13. ↑ [v162093_b01]. 16 Mar 2022.
14. ↑ https://youtu.be/smJCne_nyWU?si=M2fxLBDLfKqMYY7y&t=11
15. ↑ https://youtu.be/smJCne_nyWU?si=Z4b1UEgHQk-rhvtR&t=59
16. ↑ https://youtu.be/smJCne_nyWU?si=vvfdMw3Ngpd1tdfl&t=118
17. ↑ https://youtu.be/smJCne_nyWU?si=fwgDGsVOi7jzVxq-&t=97
18. ↑ https://www.allaboutvision.com/eye-care/cosmetic/how-to-determine-eye-shape/
19. ↑ https://www.sciencefocus.com/the-human-body/why-do-people-have-different-eye-shapes
20. ↑ https://www.sciencefocus.com/the-human-body/why-do-people-have-different-eye-shapes
21. ↑ https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00265-020-02894-1
22. ↑ https://www.belorens.com/blog/types-of-eyes/#:~:text=world+around+us.-,The+Role+of+Genetics+in+Eye+Features,in+the+world+over+time https://www.belorens.com/blog/types-of-eyes/
23. ↑ https://www.vice.com/en/article/hunter-eyes-men-trend/

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Words Pronounced Differently Across the US

Which pronunciation of these everyday words do you use?

If you hear someone say a word differently than you’re used to, it might be based on where they’re from and what regional accent they have. While it might seem like they’re being mispronounced, words do change depending on a person’s dialect (and they’re still correct). If you want to find out which words sound different among English speakers, we’ve got you covered. Keep reading to learn about some controversial pronunciation differences, plus how Southern accents and in British accents affect pronunciation.

Popular “Mispronounced” Words

Steps

Food Words Pronounced Differently

1. {endbold} Next time you sit down for a meal, listen to how everyone pronounces these common foods. Depending on their accent or the region they come from, they may sound a little different than what you’re used to.
   
   • Tomato
     • Tuh-MAH-toh
     • Tuh-MAY-toh
   • Potato
     • Poh-TAY-toh
     • Puh-TAH-toh
   • Pecan
     • Pee-CAN
     • Peh-CAHN
   • Apricot
     • APP-rih-caht
     • APE-rih-caht
   • Bagel
     • BAY-guhl
     • BAH-guhl (Midwest)
   • Caramel
     • CAH-ruh-mell
     • KAHR-mell
   • Syrup
     • SIHR-up
     • SEER-up (Northeast)
   • Almond
     • AL-muhnd
     • AHL-muhnd
   • Cauliflower
     • CAHL-ih-flour-ehr
     • CAW-lee-flou-ehr
   • Groceries
     • GROH-sehr-eez
     • GROH-shreez
   • Water
     • WAH-tehr
     • WOOD-ehr (Philadelphia)^[1]
   • Sherbet
     • Shuhr-BEHT
     • Shuhr-BIHRT
   • Bologna
     • Buh-LOH-nee
     • Buh-LOH-nya
   • Mayonnaise
     • MAN-ayze
     • MAY-uh-nayze
   • Salmon
     • SAM-uhn
     • SAM-ihn
   • Acai
     • Ah-sah-EE
     • Ah-SIGH
   • Egg
     • EHGG
     • EYGG (Northwest)^[2]
   • Pasta
     • PAHS-tuh
     • PASS-tuh
   • Coffee
     • KAH-fee
     • KAW-fee
   • Espresso
     • Ehss-PRESS-oh
     • Ehx-PRESS-oh

Object Words Pronounced Differently

1. {endbold} Whether they’re around your home or something you see in everyday life, the words for these items can sound different from person to person.
   
   • Data
     • DAY-tuh
     • DAH-tuh
   • Handkerchief
     • HAYN-kehr-chiff
     • HAYN-kehr-cheef
   • Crayon
     • CRAY-ahn
     • KRAN
   • Coupon
     • COOP-ahn
     • CYOO-pahn
   • Jewelry
     • JOO-ehl-ree
     • JOOL-ree
   • Envelope
     • EHN-vel-oahp
     • AHN-vel-oahp
   • Drawer
     • Drahw-ihr
     • DROAHR
   • Poem
     • POHM
     • POH-ehm
   • Mirror
     • MEER
     • MEER-uhr
     • MIHR-uhr
   • Vase
     • VAYSS
     • VAHS
   • Bag
     • BAHG
     • BAYG (Wisconsin)^[3]
   • Insurance
     • IHN-shur-ense
     • Ihn-SHUR-inse
   • Iron
     • EYE-urn
     • ARHN (Pittsburgh, PA)^[4]
   • Advertisement
     • ADD-ver-tize-ment
     • Ad-VER-tiss-ment
   • Aluminum
     • Al-OO-min-uhm
     • Uh-LOO-muh-num
   • Prescription
     • PREH-skrip-shun
     • PER-skrip-shun
   • Vehicle
     • VEE-hick-ull
     • VEE-ick-ull
   • Lever
     • LEHV-er
     • LEEV-er
   • Vitamin
     • VEYE-tuh-mihn
     • VIHT-uh-mihn

Places Pronounced Differently

1. {endbold} Whenever you’re traveling, check how people say the name of the location you’re in. City and state names might be pronounced differently around the area than they are anywhere else.
   
   • Garage
     • GUH-rahj
     • GAIR-ihj
   • Foyer
     • FOY-ihr
     • Foy-AY
   • Roof
     • ROOF
     • RUHF
   • Creek
     • KREEK
     • CRICK
   • Museum
     • Myooz-EE-uhm
     • MYOO-zahm
   • Downtown
     • DOWHN-towhn
     • DAHN-tahn (Pittsburgh)^[5]
   • New Orleans
     • New OHR-Lihnz (Louisiana)^[6]
     • New Ohr-LEENZ
   • Oregon
     • OAHR-ihg-ahn
     • OAHR-ihg-ihn
   • Illinois
     • Il-uh-NOY
     • Il-uh-NOISE
   • Texas
     • TEKS-iss
     • TEKS-iz
   • Nevada
     • Nehv-AHD-uh
     • Nehv-ADD-uh
   • Caribbean
     • Ca-rihb-EE-ihn
     • Cuh-RIHB-ee-ihn

Words for People That are Pronounced Differently

1. {endbold} Depending on where you live, you may hear some variations on these words referring to specific people.
   
   • Adult
     • AH-duhlt
     • Uh-DUHLT
   • Realtor
     • REEL-tuhr
     • REEL-uh-tuhr
   • Aunt
     • ANT
     • AHNT
   • Celtic
     • SELL-tick
     • KELL-tick
   • Our
     • OW-ihr
     • AHR

Verbs with Different Pronunciations

1. {endbold} How these action words sound can vary depending on your accent or where you’re located. Try sounding out the words below to see which way you pronounce them!
   
   • Been
     • BIHN
     • BENN
   • Tour
     • TOOR
     • TOO-ur
   • Schedule
     • SKEHD-yoo-uhl
     • SHEHD-yoo-uhl
   • Flourish
     • FLUH-rihsh
     • FLOO-rihsh
   • Route
     • RAWHT
     • ROOT
   • Process
     • PRAH-sess
     • PROH-sess
   • Progress
     • PRAH-gress
     • PROH-gress
   • Cache
     • CASH
     • CATCH

Adjectives & Adverbs Pronounced Differently

1. {endbold} Descriptors like adjectives and adverbs add a lot of detail to a sentence, and you might hear any of these pronunciations depending on who’s talking and where they’re from.
   
   • Often
     • OFF-tehn
     • OFF-in
   • Either
     • EE-thehr
     • EYE-thehr
   • Mauve
     • MOHV
     • MAHV
   • Et cetera
     • EHT-seht-ihr-uh
     • Eht-SEHT-ruh
   • Mischievous
     • Miss-CHEEV-ee-uhs
     • Miss-CHIV-uhss
   • Neither
     • NEE-ther
     • NIGH-ther
   • Mobile
     • MOH-buhl
     • MOH-baihl
     • MOH-beel
   • Niche
     • NEESH
     • NITCH
   • Really
     • REEL-ee
     • RILL-ee
     • REE-ihl-ee
   • Interesting
     • IHNT-ehr-est-ing
     • IHN-nehr-est-ing
   • Nuclear
     • NOOK-leer
     • NOO-klee-er
     • NOO-cyoo-ler
   • Huge
     • HYOOJ
     • YOOJ (Northeast)^[7]
   • Comfortable
     • CUHM-fer-tuh-bull
     • CUHMF-ter-bull
   • Semi
     • SEHM-eye
     • SEHM-ee
   • Anti
     • AN-tie
     • AN-tee

More Words Pronounced Differently

1. {endbold} Try sounding out these less-common words phonetically. While both pronunciations are correct and common across the country, you probably prefer using one more than the other.
   
   • Horror
     • HOAR-er
     • HAHR-er
   • Leisure
     • LEE-szuhr
     • LEH-szuhr
   • Tournament
     • TOOHR-nuh-mehnt
     • TIHR-nuh-mehnt
   • Miracle
     • MIH-ruh-cuhl
     • MEER-cuhl (Northeast)
   • GIF
     • JIHF
     • GIHF
   • Coyote
     • Kai-OH-tee
     • Kai-OHT (Colorado and Wyoming)
   • Kilometer
     • KIL-oh-mee-ter
     • Kil-AH-meh-ter
   • Gala
     • GAH-lah
     • GAY-lah

Southern Accent Pronunciation

1. The Southern accent is known for its laid-back drawl and long vowels. American accent coach Adrian Lin states, “A lot of English dialects are just created by substituting certain vowels for other vowels.”^[8] Southern accents tend to use the same vowel sounds in words like “pen” and “pin,” and other vowels get more drawn out for a more unique sound.^[9]
   
   • Get: GIHT instead of GEHT
   • Pen: PIHN instead of PEHN
   • Oil: OLL instead of OY-ill
   • Pajamas: Puh-JAHM-uhz instead of puh-JAM-uhz
   • Florida: FLAH-rihd-uh or FLOH-rihd-uh instead of FLOR-ihd-uh
   • Lawyer: LAWH-yerr instead of LOY-ehr
   • Caught: CAHT instead of CAWHT
   • Monday: MUN-dee instead of MUN-day
   • Picture: PIT-chuhr instead of PICK-tuhr

British Accent Pronunciation

1. Some English words have different pronunciations in a British accent. While speaking with a British accent can already make words sound different, some words have small changes from their American pronunciation as well.^[10]
   
   • Aluminum: Al-oo-MIHN-ee-um instead of Ah-LOO-mihn-um
   • Scone: SKON instead of SKOHN
   • Herb: HURB instead of ERB
   • Basil: BAH-zil instead of BAY-zil
   • Dynasty: DIN-uh-stee instead of DIE-nuh-stee
   • Figure: FIHG-err instead of FIHG-yer
   • Zebra: ZEBB-ruh instead of ZEE-bruh
   • Privacy: PRIH-viss-ee instead of PREYE-viss-ee
   • Sloth: SLOHTH instead of SLAWTH
   • Yogurt: YOGG-urt instead of YO-gurt

Regional Variations of Words

1. Soft drinks{endbold} If you’re in the northern United States, when you ask for a sweet, fizzy drink, most people will call it a pop. In the west, east, and central regions of the country, you’ll hear people say soda instead. In the South, you may hear someone call it a Coke no matter what type of drink you ordered.^[11]
   
2. Drinking fountains{endbold} In most regions of the United States, the fountains you drink water from are simply called drinking fountains or water fountains. However, if you’re in Wisconsin or some areas around Rhode Island, you may hear the term bubbler instead.^[12]
   
3. Groups of people{endbold} When you’re referring to more than one person, a majority of Americans use the phrase you all or you guys, even if there are people of different genders. If you’re talking to someone from the South or in Southeast states, you’ll probably hear the more casual y’all.^[13]
   
4. Crawfish{endbold} These small lobster-like crustaceans have different names depending on where you are in the country. In Louisiana, they’re most commonly called crawfish. In other areas of the South and in the western side of the country, they’re called crawdads or even mud bugs. In Northern states, you’ll probably hear them called crayfish instead.^[14]
   

Tips

• If you’re trying to imitate a specific dialect or accent, acting coach Rita Litton says “Listen to people if you travel.” She recommends asking someone to read a passage in their own voice and recording them for reference.^[15]

References

1. ↑ https://www.lingoda.com/blog/en/philadelphia-accent/
2. ↑ https://www.babbel.com/en/magazine/pacific-northwest-english
3. ↑ https://wep.csumc.wisc.edu/a-bag-of-bagels/
4. ↑ https://pittsburghspeech.pitt.edu/PittsburghSpeech_PgheseOverview.html
5. ↑ https://pittsburghspeech.pitt.edu/PittsburghSpeech_PgheseOverview.html
6. ↑ https://www.neworleans.com/meeting-planners/services/marketing-tools/city-copy/talk-like-a-new-orleanian/
7. ↑ https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/71417/why-do-some-people-say-yuge-instead-huge
8. ↑ [v163273_b01]. 13 February 2025.
9. ↑ https://mrenwick.franklinresearch.uga.edu/southern_speech/linguistic_features
10. ↑ https://www.dictionary.com/e/british-english-vs-american-english/
11. ↑ https://youtu.be/4HLYe31MBrg?t=37
12. ↑ https://www.jsonline.com/story/life/green-sheet/2020/02/25/why-bubbler-what-water-drinking-fountain-called-wisconsin-milwaukee/4793730002/
13. ↑ https://www.thejournal.ie/maps-americans-pronounce-different-words-938575-Jun2013/
14. ↑ https://www.grammarly.com/blog/commonly-confused-words/crayfish-crawfish-crawdad/
15. ↑ [v163254_b01]. 23 January 2025.

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Am I a Performative Male Quiz

Anyone can be a performative male, regardless of gender. It's a mindset, it’s a lifestyle, it’s a.... performance! But not a good one. 🥀 Are you acting like someone you're not for attention? Are you a performative male?

Answer these quick questions, and we'll tell you.

Questions Overview

Am I a Performative Male?

Take this quiz to see if you're inauthentic!

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1. How do you carry around your stuff?

1. In a backpack
2. In a tote bag
3. With my bare hands
4. Some other way

2. Choose a beverage. Think carefully.

1. Iced Americano
2. Matcha latte
3. Hot tea
4. Water

3. Which of these musicians do you like the most?

1. Clairo
2. Laufey
3. Olivia Rodrigo
4. None of them, tbh

4. What kind of earphones do you use?

1. Bluetooth earbuds
2. Wired earbuds
3. Bluetooth headphones
4. Wired headphones

5. How do you usually listen to music?

1. Streaming, like on Spotify
2. Downloaded to my phone or an mp3 player
3. On vinyl or cassette
4. On the radio

6. Thoughts on feminism?

1. I'm like the world's leading feminist. I'm a bigger feminist than Angela Davis, basically.
2. Pro-feminism, of course. Who isn't?
3. Feminism? Who's that?

7. How many rings do you wear on your fingers?

1. 3+
2. 2
3. 1
4. None

8. Do you own a pair of Sambas?

1. More than one
2. Just one
3. None

9. Do you ever carry around a camera other than your phone's camera?

1. Yeah
2. Nah

10. Do you listen to podcasts?

1. Yes. So many.
2. One or two, sure.
3. Nah, not my thing.

11. When was the last time you finished reading a book?

1. This week
2. This month
3. This year
4. Can't remember

12. Be honest: Did you lie on any of these questions just to make yourself seem cooler?

1. Yeah yeah, okay, you got me!
2. I don't think so? Now I'm second-guessing myself.
3. No way. I don't care that much.

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Performative Male Meaning

What is a performative male?
A “performative male” is anyone (mostly guys, but not just guys) who does things for the praise and attention of other people. They conspicuously follow trends or try to appear more intelligent or counter-cultural than they actually are in order to get clout and to aura farm. They lack authenticity and mold themselves into someone “hip” and cooler than they actually are, usually to appeal to women. This last part is the kicker. Some people say they’re manipulative because they do all this just to get a foot in the door with a girl who might appreciate these things about them.

Where did performative male come from?
The term took off on TikTok in 2025, when users began to make satirical videos about things performative males do. For example, this TikTok by @spencerevans shows a dude sipping a matcha latte and reading a book while also wearing big pants and wired earbuds, which screams performative male, according to the audience.

What are the traits of a performative male?

• Drinks matcha lattes. A lot of them.
• Wears “softboy” or trendy clothes like cardigans and big pants.
• Reads feminist literature in public.
• Tries to sound more intelligent than he actually is.
• General, feigned interest in “feminine” culture.
• Desperately tries to attract women.
  
  

Are performative males real?
If you ask us, yes and no. Yes because there really are people out there who will desperately follow trends in order to get clout. That’s a tale as old as time. But also, no, because this trend in particular is a flawed way to poke fun at people, and assumes that anyone drinking a matcha latte or reading in public is only doing it to perform, which isn’t the case. You should do whatever makes you happy, so long as it actually makes you happy, and not worry about whether or not other people will find it “performative.” Also, everyone’s performing all the time. It’s part of life.

Want to learn more?

For more information about performative males, check out these resources:

• https://www.them.us/performative-male-trend-heteropessimism
• https://sfstandard.com/2025/08/23/performative-male-contest-sf/
• https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/aug/29/tote-bag-matcha-performative-male-women

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References

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