You may have seen the abbreviation for "Kubernetes" as k8s online. This is called a Numeronym.

A numeronym is a number-based word. Most commonly, a numeronym is a word where a number is used to form an abbreviation (albeit not an acronym or an initialism). Pronouncing the letters and numbers may sound similar to the full word, as in "K9" (pronounced "kay-nine") for "canine, relating to dogs". Alternatively, letters between the first and last letters of a word may be replaced by a number representing the number of letters omitted, such as in "i18n" for "internationalization".

But how would you SAY k8s if you had to tell it to another person? It's a word we often read or write but rarely say.

I asked over 30 technologists for their pronunciation of this numeronym. The results may surprise you!

Want to see more tech word pronunciations by tech professionals? Find them on Youtube. New videos ship every Friday.