I think, in the English language, the correct spelling is “embouchure,” yet VERY FEW people spell it this way. Many people add an “R” after the “B” and others leave out one or more letters (like the “U” after the “O”). Is the word spelled differently in other languages, leading a lot of people to confusion? Or do people spell it incorrectly because that’s what they’ve seen most others do?
It took me a while to start using the correct spelling of it myself. I’ve heard several people pronounce it wth the phantom “R” even when it’s spelled correctly. It is a bit easier to say that way.
Maybe we should just agree on using “EM” or something for this. 
Bob
Yes, this one irks me almost as much as when people say or spell “expresso” instead of “espresso.”
I have always spelt “embouchure” correctly. But then, English was not my first language. The word is of French origin. Just like the word “restaurateur” which some people mistakenly spell as “restaranteur”. The French have always considered themselves superior to the English because, I suppose, they have witnessed the fact that the English speaking masses cannot spell their words correctly.
English words of Indic derivation like “pyjamas”, “avatara” and “sherbet” are mostly spelt correctly by the English speaking masses. Most Indians like this and aspire to speak English fluently.
Strange, I’ve always supposed it was down to their overdeveloped sense of irony. They’ve been working on that for a long time, ever since Agincourt really.
This bothers me too. I want one of those shirts that says “There’s no “x” in espresso.”
I admit I had to look up embouchure the first few times I spelled it to make sure I had it right, because spelling is one of the few ways you can judge intelligence online, and you don’t want to start with a “credibility deficit” as one of my teachers is fond of saying.
I spell it “lip form” or “mouth position” for that very reason.
Speaking of French words used in English, it’s funny that the English word “connoisseur” is actually spelled “connaisseur” in French. I think the English spelling may be a throwback to very old French, or maybe it’s just wrong.
I didn’t know we had an overdeveloped sense of irony… Overdeveloped pride of our cooking, yes.
I’ll consider my compatriots differently now.
I don’t think the reason so many english speaking people misspell french words has anything to do with french superiority… But a lot with the fact that french spelling is sometimes much more complicated and illogical than english.
(Nobody in France either knows where it is, nor what happened there.)
Ironically, if we in general spell correctly english words in french (well, I think so), people also say “expresso” and ask for “one panini” and “two pizzas”.
Brad, that’s exactly what it is, and not that old, btw, 18th C I believe. Same thing for “reconnoitre” which is an old spelling of reconnaître. (Changed by Webster and co. to “reconnoiter” for the US.)
Jessie, the word “embrochure” doesn’t exist as far as I know but it sounds ominously as though it might be derived from “embrocher”, meaning to shove a spit through, for roasting…
Matt, it’s true that French orthography has its confusing aspects, but if you entered it into an illogicality competition with English, I’d bet you’d lose.
“Embrochure”… That sounds like a french canadian word 
About illogical spelling, an irish friend once told me that in french, we had 5 letter words that were pronounced “a”…
Hi,
Yahoo had 585 sites that misspelled the word “embrochure”.
Jessie, you have your work cut out for you, GO GET THEM! 
Jon
I’m one of those genetically handicapped people when it comes to spelling. In that I notice every little error and feel compelled to correct it. I’ve been holding back here, trying to keep the spelling didact in me under control. I want to be able to sit back and say that spelling doesn’t matter. But to those of us cursed with the overactive internal orthographic monitor, seeing “embouchure” spelled so many different ways is overstimulating.
With the word embouchure, I show my students the root in the word, which is “bouche.” Meaning mouth.
French isn’t the one with irrational spelling. Silent letters, yes. Lots of vowel combinations, yes. But they’re consistent, and once you learn the patterns it’s not as challenging as it looks. English, with its Germanic base and vocabulary from the Norman Conquest, has words coming from two very different sources. So the patterns don’t match up.
Jennie
I’m one of those genetically handicapped people when it comes to spelling. In that I notice every little error and feel compelled to correct it. I’ve been holding back here, trying to keep the spelling didact in me under control. I want to be able to sit back and say that spelling doesn’t matter. But to those of us cursed with the overactive internal orthographic monitor, seeing “embouchure” spelled so many different ways is overstimulating.
With the word embouchure, I show my students the root in the word, which is “bouche.” Meaning mouth.
French isn’t the one with irrational spelling. Silent letters, yes. Lots of vowel combinations, yes. But they’re consistent, and once you learn the patterns it’s not as challenging as it looks. English, with its Germanic base and vocabulary from the Norman Conquest, has words coming from two very different sources. So the patterns don’t match up.
Jennie
I’m one of those genetically handicapped people when it comes to spelling. In that I notice every little error and feel compelled to correct it. I’ve been holding back here, trying to keep the spelling didact in me under control. I want to be able to sit back and say that spelling doesn’t matter. But to those of us cursed with the overactive internal orthographic monitor, seeing “embouchure” spelled so many different ways is overstimulating.
With the word embouchure, I show my students the root in the word, which is “bouche.” Meaning mouth.
French isn’t the one with irrational spelling. Silent letters, yes. Lots of vowel combinations, yes. But they’re consistent, and once you learn the patterns it’s not as challenging as it looks. English, with its Germanic base and vocabulary from the Norman Conquest, has words coming from two very different sources. So the patterns don’t match up.
Jennie
An excellent opportunity to share this website:
The derivation for “eggcorn” is here:
http://eggcorns.lascribe.net/english/2/eggcorn/
And the entry for “expresso” – which word has even appeared inthe NY Times! – is here:
http://eggcorns.lascribe.net/english/321/expresso/
It appears that the English “exchequer” may have developed in precisely the manner that “espresso” sometimes becomes “expresso” . . .
Just like the class room, you just keep repeating yourself!
Sorry, I have no clue how that happened.
(Which must bug all the more forum-savvy people as much as misspellings bug me.)
Jennie
Should I be asking for “two pizzi”? I lack the nerve to deal with the response that would get! 
“Two pepperoni pizzi, please.” “Pile the peppers on those pizzi.” Sorry, I must remain a barbarian.
EMBOSURE
Take care;
Tom
(taken from the New Blackbeer correct speller volume one)