Emphasis Added

As a general rule, English follows a pattern of emphasizing every other syllable. Occasionally one and two syllable words in succession will swap this, but this more or less holds true.

For example, If you listen as you speak it, you can hear this. For example, the opening sentence of this entry would be emphasized as follows:

AS a GENerAL RULE, ENGlish FOLlows a PATtern of EMphaSIZing EveRY Other SYLlaBLE.

Certain words, however, are made such that emphasis needs to be in a certain place. The best example I can think of right now is from a commercial I heard while driving home, for Washington Mutual.

Or rather, WAmu.

This radio announcer who recorded the commercial, however, decided to switch the emphasis.

Making it waMU, or more appropriately waMOO.

Leaving his commercial as follows:

"waMOO. Visit waMOO.com to get your free waMOO checking account."

Cow banking?