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How is the word "scourge" pronounced?

(B. Gauri, Bangalore)

The "sc" is like the "sk" in "skin", "skip", and "skill". The following "our" is pronounced like the "er" in "her", "nerd" and "herd". The "g" sounds like the "j" in "jam", "jazz" and "jump", and the final "e" is silent. A "scourge" is a whip normally used to flog people. The word can also be used to refer to a person or a thing. When you refer to an individual as a "scourge", what you mean is that he is someone who causes a lot of suffering for others — just like the whip!

*The President wants to put an end to the scourge of terrorism.

S. UPENDRAN

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