Lost in Translation: 21 Times Kids Got Words Hilariously Wrong

From making up their very own words for things, to adorably mispronouncing actual words, little kids are just the best. All three of my children needed some form of speech therapy when they were younger, so we had no shortage of unusual words in our house!

I’ve rounded up some funny and adorable quips from kids who didn’t quite get the words right, resulting in some humorous situations.

Hope these bring you some laughs!

#1 Never tell her – let’s just change the name…

Kids mispronouncing things is super adorable but at some point I will have to tell my daughter we don’t put Farmer John cheese on spaghetti.
— Simon Holland (@simoncholland) June 19, 2020

#2 Sometimes mispronunciations can get Mom in trouble…

My 3yo to the cashier at the grocery store: "My mommy does meth good."

Me: "MATH, I do math good."

*heads home to tidy up for my surprise CPS visit.*
— Stay at Homies (@stayathomies) September 7, 2021

#3 He’ll be telling that story for the rest of his life LOL…

Hats off to the waiter that kept a straight face as my 5yo ordered the vagina for lunch instead of the lasagna.
— Professional Worrier (@pro_worrier_) June 22, 2021

#4 Ha ha ha…

My kid sure is doing a lot of dinosplaining for someone who pronounces it belociraptor
— meghan (@deloisivete) January 21, 2022

#5 An ominous way to wake up!

My 1yo recently learned how to say “Hiiiii!” Except she pronounces it with a “D.” So every morning when I get her up the first thing she says to me in her sweet little voice: “Dieeeeee.”
— Mediocre Mom (@MediocreMamaa) March 26, 2023

#6 Dunkin’ Donuts is such a childhood memory for me…growing up in New York I had them all the time. Alas, there’s not a single store in the state where I live now. But at least we have Krispy Kreme!

My 4-year-old calls Dunkin' Donuts "Drunken Donuts."

I was going to correct her.

Then I realized it was the best idea ever for a bakery.
— James Breakwell, Exploding Unicorn (@XplodingUnicorn) June 9, 2016

#7 I agree, the world would be a lot funnier if 2 year olds named everything…

My daughter calls corn on the cob holders “corn chargers” and I think we should just let 2 year olds name everything from now on.
— Lurkin' Mom (@LurkAtHomeMom) May 27, 2018

#8 I could really use a trip to Syrup right about now…

Last night my 4yo said a prayer for all the people in the world including "Africa, Asia and Syrup." From now on, I will be referring to Europe only as Syrup.
— mark (@TheCatWhisprer) April 1, 2020

#9 Good luck finding a college with a Pastrami major, kid…

8: mommy I want to study pastrami

Me: why pastrami specifically?

8: I’m just super interested in the stars

Me: astronomy you mean astronomy

8: pretty sure it’s pastrami
— Professional Worrier (@pro_worrier_) February 28, 2020

#10 So this tweet sparked a whole SLEW of responses on Twitter (over 7000!) – I’ve included several of the funniest ones below…

My 8yo daughter met a girl at summer camp last year named "Internet." I said no way, that can't be her name but my daughter has been adamant. For almost a year we've been having this discussion.

ANTOINETTE. I just found out her name is Antoinette.
— Brianne M. Kohl (@BrianneKohl) March 18, 2022