In the Midwest, we use some strange language. Milwaukeeans are sometimes even worse, though none of us will admit that we even have an accent. Some of our words are odd and others have just been overtaken by Milwaukee accents. If you’ve lived here for a while, we’re sure you’ve picked up some new words, but are you pronouncing them in a true Milwaukee fashion?
- Milwaukee
Jeramey Jannene/Flickr Let’s start with the most basic. For the true Milwaukeean, it will always be “M’waukee.”
- Fond du Lac
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr “Fon-julack” doesn’t even sound like a real word, but it’s how we pronounce this town and street name.
- Teutonia
Casey Eisenreich/Flickr We’re pretty sure that according to the standard English language, Teutonia should not be pronounced “Tie-tone-ya,” but that’s how Milwaukeeans have decided to say this city street name.
- Kinnikinnick
Steve Glynn/Flickr If you’ve spent any amount of time in Bay View, we’re sure you’ve tripped over this name. Whether it be the river or the street, it’s a mouthful!
- Burleigh
Don Harder/Flickr Burly street? No, it’s “BUR-lie!”
- Wauwatosa
djvass/Flickr Wauwa-who? This popular Milwaukee suburb is a go-to for all of us, but it might take awhile to pronounce correctly.
- Mukwonago
James Case/Flickr This town is right outside of Milwaukee, so we’re pretty familiar with the word. The name Mukwonago is derived from the word “mequanego” which means bear’s den, but we haven’t seen any bears there yet.
- Gyro
Jazz Guy/Flickr Okay, people all over the world mispronounce this word, but it’s too often an occurrence here! Milwaukeeans love their gyros, but we still hear them saying “gear-yo” instead of “yeer-oh.” The madness must end.
Do you pronounce all of these words the true Milwaukee way? Which ones haven’t you figured out yet? Are there any other odd ones you can think of? Let us know in the comments below!
Jeramey Jannene/Flickr
Let’s start with the most basic. For the true Milwaukeean, it will always be “M’waukee.”
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr
“Fon-julack” doesn’t even sound like a real word, but it’s how we pronounce this town and street name.
Casey Eisenreich/Flickr
We’re pretty sure that according to the standard English language, Teutonia should not be pronounced “Tie-tone-ya,” but that’s how Milwaukeeans have decided to say this city street name.
Steve Glynn/Flickr
If you’ve spent any amount of time in Bay View, we’re sure you’ve tripped over this name. Whether it be the river or the street, it’s a mouthful!
Don Harder/Flickr
Burly street? No, it’s “BUR-lie!”
djvass/Flickr
Wauwa-who? This popular Milwaukee suburb is a go-to for all of us, but it might take awhile to pronounce correctly.
James Case/Flickr
This town is right outside of Milwaukee, so we’re pretty familiar with the word. The name Mukwonago is derived from the word “mequanego” which means bear’s den, but we haven’t seen any bears there yet.
Jazz Guy/Flickr
Okay, people all over the world mispronounce this word, but it’s too often an occurrence here! Milwaukeeans love their gyros, but we still hear them saying “gear-yo” instead of “yeer-oh.” The madness must end.
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