Regional Pronunciation Guide for Sports-Related Topics

[FiddySicks]

I grew up on the boarder of the Golden State and the Silver State (Lake Tahoe, just Southwest of Reno) The only people who pronunce it Nev-AHH-Duh instead of the proper Nev-AD-Uh are people who have never actually stepped foot in the state.

S**t, we even booed Michelle Obama into pronuncing it properly, why do so many people STILL screw this one up?

[leopard88]

In the 757, Norfolk, Virginia is pronounced (Naw-falk) not NOR-Folk.

DMV (Capital Beltway Area)

Maryland is pronounced (mUR-land like the wizard Merlin instead of Mair-E-land. Carolina is pronounced (KUR-lina). Virginia is pronounced both (Va-gin-yah) and (Ver-gin-yah). Baltimore is pronounced (Ball-more) in some areas.

Don't know if it is just Baltimore and Pennsylvania that does this but they pronounce Washington as (WURSH-ington)

There is a Norfolk, Nebraska - smallish city north of Omaha. It's pronounced something like Nor-Fork. There's also a town called Beatrice, but it's not said like the female name (Bee-uh-triss), it's said Bee-ATT-riss.

I go to Beatrice a few times a year, and I always hate to hear it pronounced "Bee-uh-triss" instead of "Bee-AT-triss." My math teacher was born in rural Nebraska, lived in North Carolina for a while, and somehow ended up a Louisville fan. He's always told us that they pronounce it "Luhlvuhl" but I for one have always said "Loo-ee-vill." I'm not sure how they pronounce it in Nevada, but I've always called it "Neh-vadd-uh". I've also heard "Mizz-ur-uh", but I've always said (and mostly heard) "Mizz-ur-ee"

We had family friends who now live outside Reno in town over Christmas and they reminded us over and over that it is pronounce "Neh-VADD-uh" . . . to the point that the rest of started saying "Neh-VODD-uh" just for fun.

In the 757, Norfolk, Virginia is pronounced (Naw-falk) not NOR-Folk.

DMV (Capital Beltway Area)

Maryland is pronounced (mUR-land like the wizard Merlin instead of Mair-E-land. Carolina is pronounced (KUR-lina). Virginia is pronounced both (Va-gin-yah) and (Ver-gin-yah). Baltimore is pronounced (Ball-more) in some areas.

Don't know if it is just Baltimore and Pennsylvania that does this but they pronounce Washington as (WURSH-ington)

"wursh" is more of a central/western PA thing. I've definately heard it, but way more so when I was an undergrad near Pittsburgh. They talk all kind of goofy there. Actually, the "r after a" sound is very common in NY, but more at the end of words ending with A. There's a word for that, and I know it, I just can't think of it right now after having a few. I think it's s common inflection in England as well.

I think it's more like MARE-lind than MUR-land (at least in BALL-duh-more). The nation's capital is WARSH-ing-tin.

For the second bolded part, the example I always think of is English announcers talking about the American pop artist "Madonner."

[The_Admiral]

Yeah, when you say "idear" instead of "idea," that's what linguists call a "linking R" and what the rest of us call "goddamn Bostonians calling tubas tubers and thinking they're smarter than we are."

[TheOldRoman]

I hear in Newark, they pronounce it "Nork."

Growing up in the Phila area and living in Phila, I've always heard it as "nork". If I ever hear "new ark", I know they're talking about Newark DE, not NJ.

I was just joking. It was a Tankism. One time he claimed it was pronounced "Nork" and about a dozen people jumped out to say that no it is not.

[monkeypower]

Yeah, when you say "idear" instead of "idea," that's what linguists call a "linking R" and what the rest of us call "goddamn Bostonians calling tubas tubers and thinking they're smarter than we are."

So Smaht. Go Sawx! I love Marky Mark and Matt Damon.

[JayMac]

Yeah, when you say "idear" instead of "idea," that's what linguists call a "linking R" and what the rest of us call "goddamn Bostonians calling tubas tubers and thinking they're smarter than we are."

So Smaht. Go Sawx! I love Marky Mark and Matt Damon.

Wouldn't it be Mahky Mahk?

[monkeypower]

Yeah, when you say "idear" instead of "idea," that's what linguists call a "linking R" and what the rest of us call "goddamn Bostonians calling tubas tubers and thinking they're smarter than we are."

So Smaht. Go Sawx! I love Marky Mark and Matt Damon.

Wouldn't it be Mahky Mahk?

Probably.

[Sean F&F]

Yeah, when you say "idear" instead of "idea," that's what linguists call a "linking R" and what the rest of us call "goddamn Bostonians calling tubas tubers and thinking they're smarter than we are."

So Smaht. Go Sawx! I love Marky Mark and Matt Damon.

Wouldn't it be Mahky Mahk?

Probably.

[BBTV]

I hear in Newark, they pronounce it "Nork."

Growing up in the Phila area and living in Phila, I've always heard it as "nork". If I ever hear "new ark", I know they're talking about Newark DE, not NJ.

I was just joking. It was a Tankism. One time he claimed it was pronounced "Nork" and about a dozen people jumped out to say that no it is not.

So I was discussing flights with someone last night and we were talking about flying out of Newark, and I noticed that I do actually pronounce it more of in between new ark and nork. Kind of like NOOrk. I don't know if I'd say it counts as a second syllable, and if you do say it repeatedly in a conversation it does kinda sound like Nork, but I think Nork isn't ever the intended pronunciation but I think it's closer to NOOrk.

[The_Admiral]

It's noo-erk or nyoo-erk depending on how well you commit to your vowels.

[-kj]

Missouri:

There are only two allowed pronunciations, and both end in the long-e sound: mizz-eour-ee, or mis-er-y.

The second one's likely more accurate.

Illinois:

I've always gone for ill-ann-oy when illustrating the pronunciation.

[sc49erfan15]

I hear in Newark, they pronounce it "Nork."

Growing up in the Phila area and living in Phila, I've always heard it as "nork". If I ever hear "new ark", I know they're talking about Newark DE, not NJ.

This one threw me for a loop on one of my drives from NJ to SC a few months ago. Took the route without tolls with led me right by the UD football stadium, where I was hearing commercials on the radio about "New Ark." Took me a second to catch on.

I grew up near Lancaster, South Carolina. Pronounced LANC-uh-ster, but it's a really quick three syllables. More like LANE-c'ster. Lan-CAS-ter is in Pennsylvania.

Missouri:

There are only two allowed pronunciations, and both end in the long-e sound: mizz-eour-ee, or mis-er-y.

The second one's likely more accurate.

Wait, so this mizz-ER-uh stuff is horse ?

Good. I say mizz-ERR-ee. And nev-ADD-uh, for that matter.

(I'm just going to keep editing this post. Onward!)

My mother, bless her soul. She's 55 and has never really left the South. I moved to NJ 6 months ago, and she keeps pronouncing the county I live in (Monmouth) "mon-mouth" like it's two words. It's clearly "MON-mith." Also, my cousin just moved to Illinois, and mom pronounced it "ill-uh-noise." I don't have the heart to correct her on either one.

[-kj]

Wait, so this mizz-ER-uh stuff is horse ?

Damned right.

Good. I say mizz-ERR-ee. And nev-ADD-uh, for that matter.

There is a city in MO called Nevada... pronounced ne-VAY-duh. Ugh.

[BBTV]

I hear in Newark, they pronounce it "Nork."

Growing up in the Phila area and living in Phila, I've always heard it as "nork". If I ever hear "new ark", I know they're talking about Newark DE, not NJ.

This one threw me for a loop on one of my drives from NJ to SC a few months ago. Took the route without tolls with led me right by the UD football stadium, where I was hearing commercials on the radio about "New Ark." Took me a second to catch on.

I grew up near Lancaster, South Carolina. Pronounced LANC-uh-ster, but it's a really quick three syllables. More like LANE-c'ster. Lan-CAS-ter is in Pennsylvania.

That is not true. It's LANKester, though it's often mispronounced. Anyone from that area will correct you if you say Lan CAS ter.

I think on TV when they're referring to the Amish they invariably pronounce it lan-CAS-ter, but I had roommates in college from there and they insisted that it is LANKester.

[sc49erfan15]

I hear in Newark, they pronounce it "Nork."

Growing up in the Phila area and living in Phila, I've always heard it as "nork". If I ever hear "new ark", I know they're talking about Newark DE, not NJ.

This one threw me for a loop on one of my drives from NJ to SC a few months ago. Took the route without tolls with led me right by the UD football stadium, where I was hearing commercials on the radio about "New Ark." Took me a second to catch on.

I grew up near Lancaster, South Carolina. Pronounced LANC-uh-ster, but it's a really quick three syllables. More like LANE-c'ster. Lan-CAS-ter is in Pennsylvania.

That is not true. It's LANKester, though it's often mispronounced. Anyone from that area will correct you if you say Lan CAS ter.

I think on TV when they're referring to the Amish they invariably pronounce it lan-CAS-ter, but I had roommates in college from there and they insisted that it is LANKester.

Wait, really? Is it like this?

That's (almost) how we pronounce the city name in SC. I can't quite articulate how it's different, it's just a bit more... sped up.

[pianoknight]

Worchestershirehsirhrushreuehshshire sauce.

Wuster? Ugh, F that entire word in general.

[2001mark]

Colonel.

Honestly... wtf is that about & why.

[BBTV]

I hear in Newark, they pronounce it "Nork."

Growing up in the Phila area and living in Phila, I've always heard it as "nork". If I ever hear "new ark", I know they're talking about Newark DE, not NJ.

This one threw me for a loop on one of my drives from NJ to SC a few months ago. Took the route without tolls with led me right by the UD football stadium, where I was hearing commercials on the radio about "New Ark." Took me a second to catch on.

I grew up near Lancaster, South Carolina. Pronounced LANC-uh-ster, but it's a really quick three syllables. More like LANE-c'ster. Lan-CAS-ter is in Pennsylvania.

That is not true. It's LANKester, though it's often mispronounced. Anyone from that area will correct you if you say Lan CAS ter.

I think on TV when they're referring to the Amish they invariably pronounce it lan-CAS-ter, but I had roommates in college from there and they insisted that it is LANKester.

Wait, really? Is it like this?

That's (almost) how we pronounce the city name in SC. I can't quite articulate how it's different, it's just a bit more... sped up.

yeah that's about right. Little more stress on the first syllabol. Interestingly, I just heard an ad for Lancaster brand chicken breast, and the add said "lanCASter". I swear thought that locals take issue with that pronounciation.

[monkeypower]

Colonel.

Honestly... wtf is that about & why.

It was from the Italian word "colonnella", then to French "colonelle", then it was bastardized to "coronel" over time. Then when it got to English, it changed back to the original spelling but kept the new pronunciation.

[PSUcelticsWON95]

I hear in Newark, they pronounce it "Nork."

Growing up in the Phila area and living in Phila, I've always heard it as "nork". If I ever hear "new ark", I know they're talking about Newark DE, not NJ.

This one threw me for a loop on one of my drives from NJ to SC a few months ago. Took the route without tolls with led me right by the UD football stadium, where I was hearing commercials on the radio about "New Ark." Took me a second to catch on.

I grew up near Lancaster, South Carolina. Pronounced LANC-uh-ster, but it's a really quick three syllables. More like LANE-c'ster. Lan-CAS-ter is in Pennsylvania.

That is not true. It's LANKester, though it's often mispronounced. Anyone from that area will correct you if you say Lan CAS ter.

I think on TV when they're referring to the Amish they invariably pronounce it lan-CAS-ter, but I had roommates in college from there and they insisted that it is LANKester.

Wait, really? Is it like this?

That's (almost) how we pronounce the city name in SC. I can't quite articulate how it's different, it's just a bit more... sped up.

yeah that's about right. Little more stress on the first syllabol. Interestingly, I just heard an ad for Lancaster brand chicken breast, and the add said "lanCASter". I swear thought that locals take issue with that pronounciation.

Lincoln, Nebraska is in Lancaster County. I've always heard "LAN-cast-er" as opposed to "LANE-c'ster". I always chucked (and sometimes cringed) when the latter was used.