SINGAPORE - Can you pronounce "eunoia" correctly?
Singapore's newest junior college - Eunoia JC (pronounced "yoo-noh-iea")- is not a lone example of local places with unpronounceable names.
While there is no shortage of unique condominium names - standouts include Cote D'Azur in Marine Parade and Balmoral Crescent's Sui Generis - we have dug a little deeper to unearth a few other examples that are hard to pronounce.
Here are six that could pose a challenge or two.
1. Compassvale Ancilla (an-sil-uh)
A premium Housing Board Build-to-Order (BTO) project launched in March 2011, Compassvale Ancilla is located near Buangkok MRT. Flat buyers reportedly received their keys in early 2014.
It was part of a wave of BTO projects that carried unique names (others included Punggol's Nautilus and Matilda Portico), which HDB said was a long-term branding policy to create a special identity and build a sense of community among residents.
The word "ancilla" is of Latin origin and means maid servant.
2. M)phosis (emphasis)
Long considered to be among the more successful home-grown labels, the women's fashion brand with a funky name abruptly shut its stores in Singapore - as well as Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines and Indonesia - last month.
M)phosis debuted in 1994 at Change Alley and built a reputation for its contemporary designs and clean-cut pieces in basic colours.
At its peak, the brand had more than 30 outlets in 11 countries. Now, only its stores in China remain open.
3. Hillion Mall and Hillion Residences (hi-lyon)
These fancy-sounding names belong to an upcoming mixed-use development in Bukit Panjang.
Hillion Residences will sit on top of Hillion Mall, and will be linked to the Bukit Panjang MRT station and bus interchange via air-conditioned underpasses. It is expected to receive its temporary occupation permit in September 2018.
The name was inspired by what Bukit Panjang means - long hill, developer Sim Lian Group said on its website.
Hillion is also the name of a commune in Brittany, south-western France.
4. Palais Renaissance (pa-lay ri-ney-suhns)
Known as Palais for short, this venerable Orchard Road shopping mall opened its doors in August 1990.
A French name was chosen for the mall as it had aimed to be a premier destination for Japanese tourists to purchase exclusive European brands.
Its currently has 30 shops, with a mix of aesthetic clinics, eateries and fashion and lifestyle boutiques.
5. The Poiz Centre and The Poiz Residences (poise)
MCC Land's development received harsh feedback for its original names - The Andrew Residences and The Andrew Village - in October. More than 1,000 people protested against the name, with a petition launched by St Andrew's School alumni accusing the developer of using the "hard-earned goodwill associated with the St Andrew's name for a self-serving commercial intent".
The developer listened. In early November, it chose Poiz - coined from the first two letters of the word Potong to provide a sense of place, an MCC Land spokesman said. The development is located in Potong Pasir.
"Poiz was derived from the word Poise which means elegance and presence, which we feel is befitting of an upcoming landmark," the spokesman added.
6. Innova Junior College
The word "Innova" doesn't exist. Don't take it from us, take it from the school's first principal.
"There's no such word as Innova, but Nova is the Latin word for new. And supernova means a blazing star. We are looking at the JC as a new blazing star," said Miss Yeo Hong Mui in 2004.
The name was chosen after a brainstorming session with 40 student leaders from neighbouring schools, the Straits Times reported then. Another name on the short list then was Medallion JC.
Innova is also the name of a Toyota multi-purpose vehicle that was launched in 2004.
