Pronunciation: [pˌɛkɐdˈɪlə͡ʊ] (IPA) 
The word "peccadillo" is spelled with three c's and two l's, which can be confusing for non-native speakers. In IPA phonetic transcription, it is pronounced as /ˌpɛkəˈdɪloʊ/ or "peck-uh-DIL-oh". The first syllable is stressed and, despite the double c, it is pronounced with a "k" sound, not a "s" sound. The word means a small or minor offense or sin, and is often used humorously to describe a small mistake or flaw.
A peccadillo is a noun that refers to a minor fault or offense, often of a personal nature, that is considered to be relatively unimportant or insignificant. The term originated from the Spanish word "pecadillo," which literally means "small sin." It is used to describe a slight transgression or indiscretion that is not grave enough to be regarded as a serious wrongdoing.
Peccadilloes typically involve actions or behavior that deviate from societal or moral norms, but are not severe enough to cause significant harm or require serious consequences. They are often regarded as minor shortcomings that are forgivable or easily overlooked. Examples of peccadilloes may include white lies, minor acts of dishonesty, small acts of selfishness, or harmless flirtations.
While peccadilloes do not generally carry serious repercussions, they can still be seen as breaching acceptable standards or values to some extent. This term is often used to emphasize the triviality or insignificance of an individual's mistake or misbehavior, suggesting that they should not be overly judged or condemned. However, it is essential to bear in mind that the interpretation of what constitutes a peccadillo can vary depending on cultural, social, or personal perspectives, as what may be considered forgivable by one person may be seen as unacceptable by another.
A petty crime or fault.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "peccadillo" has its roots in the Spanish language. It is derived from the Spanish word "pecadillo", which means "small sin" or "minor offense". The Spanish term "pecado" translates to "sin", and the suffix "-illo" is a diminutive suffix, indicating something small or minor. The word "peccadillo" was adopted into English in the 16th century, primarily during the period of Spanish influence on the English language.
