viewers were in disbelief as a contestant got knocked out following a controversial ruling over the pronunciation of the word "wagyu". Meredith Miller missed out on winning big money after ruled against her. The labor economist from Arlington, Virginia, was attempting to answer a clue under for $1,600.
The clue read: "The name of this cattle breed prized for its marbled beef literally means 'Japanese Cow'." and said: "What is Way-gu," but her answer wasn't accepted as Ken replied: "Mmm, no." When none of the other contestants buzzed in, Ken revealed the correct answer, saying: "So close, Meredith.
You didn't have a 'Y'. Wagyu." Meredith then dropped into third place with just $400 and finished the show in last place.
Fans were furious and took to X to share their thoughts. "The pronunciation of Wagyu was close call – maybe too close?" one person questioned. Another viewer said: "I can't believe Jeopardy docked someone for pronouncing 'wagyu' like someone from Iowa; I would have picked up my podium," while a third person posted: "Are you kidding me.
.. No one knows how to pronounce that word and you know what she meant.
.." Over on Reddit, one fan asked: "Does the show encourage or require contestants to do their best to clearly enunciate syllables for this reason? I know sometimes where there is obvious ambiguity over pronunciation, the host will ask the contestant to repeat themselves, but would it be more beneficial for a contestant to not enunciate so clearly? "I don't mea.