Women are giving their partners the ‘Illiterate Boyfriend’ test: ‘Do your best to pronounce these words’

People online are distressed at men butchering words such as ‘hyperbole’ and ‘hors d’oeuvres’ – highlighting a gender reversal in ‘intelligence gaps’ There are common non-negotiables we look for in a prospective partner.

They should be kind, caring and thoughtful.

Having a shared interest helps.

So does remembering important dates and anniversaries.

But how much does it matter if they know how to pronounce the word “gnocchi”? Turns out that’s a potential dealbreaker, at least according to a (rather judgy) cohort on TikTok.

See: the “Illiterate Boyfriend” trend, which is testing some couples on the app.

Users have compiled a list of what are essentially SAT words for women to ask their male partners to read.

Many of these men – this is an overwhelmingly heterosexual activity – fail to finish the list unscathed.

They trip over entries such as “hyperbole”, “cynicism”, “diaphragmatic” and the oft-butchered French term, “hors d’oeuvres”.

Continue reading...