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Sometimes a syllable is jam-packed with sounds, like the single-syllable word \u201cstrengths\u201d. Other times, a syllable is as simple as a single vowel or consonant+vowel, like the two syllables in \u201ca-ha!\u201d It\u2019s kind of like a burger: you might pack your burger with tons of toppings, or go as simple as a patty by itself on a plate, but certain combinations are more likely than others. For example, an open-face burger, with only the bottom half of the bun, is less weird than a burger with only the top half. \n\nIn this episode of Lingthusiasm, your hosts Lauren Gawne and Gretchen McCulloch get enthusiastic about syllables. Why aren\u2019t there any English words that begin with \u201cng\u201d, even though Vietnamese is perfectly happy to have them? Why do Spanish speakers pronounce the English word \u201cSprite\u201d more like \u201cEsprite\u201d? Why did English speakers re-analyze Greek helico-pter into heli-copter? Plus more about how different languages prefer different things in their syllable-burgers and what happens when these preferences collide. \n\nThis month\u2019s bonus episode is about metaphors! Support Lingthusiasm on Patreon to gain access to the metaphors episode and 29 previous bonus episodes. https://www.patreon.com/lingthusiasm\n\nToday is the final day for two things related to Because Internet, Gretchen\u2019s book about internet linguistics (which is out now and you can get it!). \n1. Send us your questions about Because Internet, internet language, or the process of writing a book for a special bonus behind the scenes Q&A episode about the book! \n2. Join our new \u201cling-phabet\u201d tier on Patreon by August 15th in any timezone (you may get a few hours into August 16th if you\u2019re lucky!) and get a signed Because Internet bookplate sticker with your name on it in the mail! https://www.patreon.com/lingthusiasm\n\nFor links and things mentioned in this episode: https://lingthusiasm.com/post/187039068846/lingthusiasm-episode-35-putting-sounds-into