Most folks know better than to pronounce the “kansas” in Arkansas but what about some of the more difficult towns and nouns throughout the state? If you can say every one of these words without tripping over your tongue or getting into an argument with your fellow Arkansan, than you’ve definitely lived here far too long.
- Arkansas
Wikipedia You knew it’d be on the list. There’s no quicker way to spot an outsider than someone who insists it should be said “ar-kansas.” Don’t these folks know it’s illegal to mispronounce our great state’s name?
- Petit Jean
Flickr/AR Nature Gal The “petit” in Petit Jean does mean petite but Arkansans know there’s a distinction when saying either word.
- Saline
Facebook/Saline County If you’ve never been to the river (or county), you may say Saline like saline solution. Just throw in an Arkansas accent to change it to “suh-lean” and you’re good to go.
- Ouachita
Flickr/Granger Meador No matter if you’re pronouncing the county, forest, lake, or university, Ouachita is always pronounced “wash-a-taw.” The word originates from the French spelling of the Caddo word ‘wishita,’ which means “good hunting grounds.”
- Fouke
Facebook/Monster Mart For non-Arkansans, it may be easier to say “that place with the Boggy Creek Monster.” Outsiders make a variety of attempts to pronounce Fouke, but it should rhymed with “poke.”
- Wabbaseka
Google Maps It’d be easy to make a mile-long list solely for hard-to-pronounce tiny towns but today we’ll just cover our favorite. Wabbaseka (with a short e) was the hometown of Willie K. Hocker, the designer of the Arkansas state flag .
- Monticello
Facebook/Monticello Chamber of Commerce It’s second nature for Arkansans to say “monta-sell-o.” But, if you didn’t know better you may think there’s an instrument at the end of that southern town.
- Chicot
Flickr/Stuart Seeger The largest natural lake in the state has a silent “t,” which may be surprising for some. Not to worry, after you’ve stayed the night at the Lake Chicot State Park, you’ll remember it for a lifetime.
What’s another word that should be added to the list? Share your favorite hard-to-pronounce Arkansas words with us in the comments below!
Wikipedia
You knew it’d be on the list. There’s no quicker way to spot an outsider than someone who insists it should be said “ar-kansas.” Don’t these folks know it’s illegal to mispronounce our great state’s name?
Flickr/AR Nature Gal
The “petit” in Petit Jean does mean petite but Arkansans know there’s a distinction when saying either word.
Facebook/Saline County
If you’ve never been to the river (or county), you may say Saline like saline solution. Just throw in an Arkansas accent to change it to “suh-lean” and you’re good to go.
Flickr/Granger Meador
No matter if you’re pronouncing the county, forest, lake, or university, Ouachita is always pronounced “wash-a-taw.” The word originates from the French spelling of the Caddo word ‘wishita,’ which means “good hunting grounds.”
Facebook/Monster Mart
For non-Arkansans, it may be easier to say “that place with the Boggy Creek Monster.” Outsiders make a variety of attempts to pronounce Fouke, but it should rhymed with “poke.”
Google Maps
It’d be easy to make a mile-long list solely for hard-to-pronounce tiny towns but today we’ll just cover our favorite. Wabbaseka (with a short e) was the hometown of Willie K. Hocker, the designer of the Arkansas state flag .
Facebook/Monticello Chamber of Commerce
It’s second nature for Arkansans to say “monta-sell-o.” But, if you didn’t know better you may think there’s an instrument at the end of that southern town.
Flickr/Stuart Seeger
The largest natural lake in the state has a silent “t,” which may be surprising for some. Not to worry, after you’ve stayed the night at the Lake Chicot State Park, you’ll remember it for a lifetime.
For another laugh, scroll through these hilarious Arkansas memes. Or, to see if you’re a true Arkansan, check off how many of these weird Arkansas meals you’ve eaten.
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