Looks Can Fool You, 65

het·ero·nym

Noun: one of two or more homographs [words that are spelled the same]

that differ in pronunciation and meaning

(such as a bass voice and bass, a fish)

First Known Use: circa 1889

65: slough

Pronunciation varies here—

You hear all kinds of different things:

Can be confusing—rarely clear—

Such problems our weird language brings!

A snake sheds skin—and that is slough,

Which rhymes, I see, with cuff and rough.

But when you feel you’re in a slough,

It rhymes with blue and you and goo.

You’re feeling low? You’re in a slough,

And that can rhyme with pow! and ow!

But people say these different ways—

So if you’re forced, you know, to choose?

Here’s what I do in such a maze:

I find another word to use!