Brooch is one of those words which makes my mind itch. I cannot help but think “broooooch” as in hoot or cool rather than “broche” as in hotel or cold. Yet, “brooch” is the preferred spelling.

Per Webster’s, the word comes from ME broche, in turn from French, from Latin broccus. How did that double-o sneak in?

And while I’m on the subject: does anybody pronounce “breeches” as “breeeeeches?” Or, like everybody I’ve ever heard, like “britches?” In fact, do you ever see it spelled with the double-e, outside of old English novels?