If you were born and raised in Buffalo (or anywhere in Western New York, for that matter), chances are out-of-towners have commented on your “accent.” And while we might agree that our A’s sound a bit harder than most people’s, we’re certainly not ashamed of the language we’ve picked up while living in the 716. If you can pronounce these eight words, you’ve lived in Buffalo for far too long. (Or just long enough, if you ask us!)
- Scajaquada
Mitchazenia - Wikipedia.org It takes a while, but eventually, all Buffalonians learn how to pronounce Scajaquada. This popular route in the city is just as tongue-twisting as it is busy with traffic. Repeat after me: Ska-jack-quah-duh.
- Cheektowaga
Adam Moss - Wikipedia.org If you thought our street names were tricky, wait until you see our towns! First up: Cheektowaga. This town has plenty of nicknames, but its original moniker is the most challenging to pronounce.
- Tonawanda
Curtis Anderson - Flickr The next town on our list that doesn’t exactly roll of the tongue? Tonawanda. Or, as Buffalonians typically say, the “Town of Tonawanda” (which usually sounds more like “tonna-Tonawanda”). Say that five times fast!
- Audubon
Google Maps There is a bit of debate amongst Buffalonians on how to pronounce this roadway. Most say “Auto-bahn,” which we are in complete agreement with.
- Chiavetta’s
Chiavetta’s BBQ Take Out - Facebook We’re not even going to attempt to spell this one out phonetically. If you’re from Buffalo, you know how to say it. You also know it’s the only way to eat BBQ chicken.
- SUNY
Buffalo State - Facebook Sure, it’s an acronym, but to Western New Yorkers and Buffalonians, “Sooney” is a word in and of itself.
- Canisius
Canisius College - Facebook Is it Can-ee-shus or Can-iss-ee-us? The verdict is still out, but we prefer the first option.
- Youse
Steve Baker - Flickr Last but certainly not least (or the least cringe-worthy): Youse. This slang is equal to a Southerner’s “y’all,” and while it’s not accepted in English textbooks (or by most Buffalonians), it’s certainly heard often in Western New York!
The next time someone comments on your WNY dialect, challenge them to sound out any of the above words. We’ll see who gets the last laugh!
Mitchazenia - Wikipedia.org
It takes a while, but eventually, all Buffalonians learn how to pronounce Scajaquada. This popular route in the city is just as tongue-twisting as it is busy with traffic. Repeat after me: Ska-jack-quah-duh.
Adam Moss - Wikipedia.org
If you thought our street names were tricky, wait until you see our towns! First up: Cheektowaga. This town has plenty of nicknames, but its original moniker is the most challenging to pronounce.
Curtis Anderson - Flickr
The next town on our list that doesn’t exactly roll of the tongue? Tonawanda. Or, as Buffalonians typically say, the “Town of Tonawanda” (which usually sounds more like “tonna-Tonawanda”). Say that five times fast!
Google Maps
There is a bit of debate amongst Buffalonians on how to pronounce this roadway. Most say “Auto-bahn,” which we are in complete agreement with.
Chiavetta’s BBQ Take Out - Facebook
We’re not even going to attempt to spell this one out phonetically. If you’re from Buffalo, you know how to say it. You also know it’s the only way to eat BBQ chicken.
Buffalo State - Facebook
Sure, it’s an acronym, but to Western New Yorkers and Buffalonians, “Sooney” is a word in and of itself.
Canisius College - Facebook
Is it Can-ee-shus or Can-iss-ee-us? The verdict is still out, but we prefer the first option.
Steve Baker - Flickr
Last but certainly not least (or the least cringe-worthy): Youse. This slang is equal to a Southerner’s “y’all,” and while it’s not accepted in English textbooks (or by most Buffalonians), it’s certainly heard often in Western New York!
Are there any other Western New York or Buffalonian words that you hear others mispronounce? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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