Here in Minnesota, many of our commonly used words and place names have Northern European or Native American roots. This can make it difficult for out-of-towners to get the pronunciation right. In fact, even some native Minnesotans struggle when trying to say – and even spell – these unusual words. Here are 9 of the most difficult words that only Minnesotans can pronounce:
- Edina
Thomson200/Wikimedia Commons For some reason, visitors to Minnesota have a tendency to pronounce this town as Ed-ee-nuh. But that would sound strange to any Minnesotan’s ears. We know it’s really pronouned E-die-nuh.
- Askov
Kurt Haubrich/Flickr Askov is an east-central Minnesota town that has a Danish heritage. In fact, the name comes from a word that means “ash forest.” If you have difficulty pronouncing Askov, you’ll have an even harder time with some of the streets. Many have Danish names!
- New Prague
AlexiusHoratius/Wikimedia Commons The Czech capital of Prague has a different pronunciation, but early settlers gave New Prague a Minnesota twist. The town is pronounced Pray-gue, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
- Shakopee
AlexiusHoratius/Wikimedia Commons Many out-of-towners tend to give Shakopee a hard A sound, but for Minnesotans, Shock-uh-pee rolls off the tongue just a little bit easier.
- Mahtomedi
Tony Webster/Wikimedia Commons Here’s a town name that gives even lifelong Minnesotans trouble. But we’re here to set the record straight: Mahtomedi, when pronounced correctly, sounds like Mah-do-me-die. It’s not the most intuitive name for English speakers today, but it has Native American roots. The name comes from the Dakota word for White Bear Lake.
- Bemidji
mink70/Flickr Here’s another Minnesota town name with a Native American heritage. Bemidji comes from an Ojibwe word that means “a lake with crossing waters.” The name certainly suits the area, but it can be difficult for non-natives to wrap their heads around. But really, the pronunciation is quite simple: Buh-mid-gee.
- Vadnais Heights
City of Vadnais Heights Government/Facebook The spelling of Vadnais Heights lends itself to all sorts of pronunciations, but Minnesotans have gone with the most simple. Next time you’re in this lovely south-central Minnesota town, make sure you call it Vad-nus Heights.
- Wayzata
123dieinafire/Wikimedia Commons Here’s another town name that trips up locals as well as out-of-towners. Wayzeta’s pronunciation is quite different from its spelling, but once you get it, you won’t forget. The town is properly pronounced as Why-zeta.
- Faribault
John Platek/Wikimedia Commons This town’s name comes from the name of a French-Canadian fur trader. The fur trade may have ended about a century ago, but Minnesotans have stuck to the French pronunciation of this charming town’s name: Fair-bow.
What names would you add to the list? Let us know in the comments!
Thomson200/Wikimedia Commons
For some reason, visitors to Minnesota have a tendency to pronounce this town as Ed-ee-nuh. But that would sound strange to any Minnesotan’s ears. We know it’s really pronouned E-die-nuh.
Kurt Haubrich/Flickr
Askov is an east-central Minnesota town that has a Danish heritage. In fact, the name comes from a word that means “ash forest.” If you have difficulty pronouncing Askov, you’ll have an even harder time with some of the streets. Many have Danish names!
AlexiusHoratius/Wikimedia Commons
The Czech capital of Prague has a different pronunciation, but early settlers gave New Prague a Minnesota twist. The town is pronounced Pray-gue, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
Many out-of-towners tend to give Shakopee a hard A sound, but for Minnesotans, Shock-uh-pee rolls off the tongue just a little bit easier.
Tony Webster/Wikimedia Commons
Here’s a town name that gives even lifelong Minnesotans trouble. But we’re here to set the record straight: Mahtomedi, when pronounced correctly, sounds like Mah-do-me-die. It’s not the most intuitive name for English speakers today, but it has Native American roots. The name comes from the Dakota word for White Bear Lake.
mink70/Flickr
Here’s another Minnesota town name with a Native American heritage. Bemidji comes from an Ojibwe word that means “a lake with crossing waters.” The name certainly suits the area, but it can be difficult for non-natives to wrap their heads around. But really, the pronunciation is quite simple: Buh-mid-gee.
City of Vadnais Heights Government/Facebook
The spelling of Vadnais Heights lends itself to all sorts of pronunciations, but Minnesotans have gone with the most simple. Next time you’re in this lovely south-central Minnesota town, make sure you call it Vad-nus Heights.
123dieinafire/Wikimedia Commons
Here’s another town name that trips up locals as well as out-of-towners. Wayzeta’s pronunciation is quite different from its spelling, but once you get it, you won’t forget. The town is properly pronounced as Why-zeta.
John Platek/Wikimedia Commons
This town’s name comes from the name of a French-Canadian fur trader. The fur trade may have ended about a century ago, but Minnesotans have stuck to the French pronunciation of this charming town’s name: Fair-bow.
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