Pennsylvania boasts plenty of difficult-to-pronounce (and maybe even harder to spell) places and words that even some Pennsylvanians might struggle over. But if we native and long-term Pennsylvanians have difficulty pronouncing some words, imagine what a challenge it is for non-Pennsylvanians and newbies to the state. Here are nine words that only Pennsylvanians can pronounce.
- Schuylkill
Flickr/Michael Stokes Let’s jump right in with one of the towns in Pennsylvania that promises a challenge when it comes to pronunciation and spelling. Schuykill is pronounced SKOO-kill.
- Duquesne
Flickr/Tom Hamilton The key to success when pronouncing Duquesne - the Duquesne Incline or Duquesne University in Pittsburgh - is to think in French. Keep the s silent when saying doo-kane.
- Monongahela
Flickr/Jenny Tabrum Most Pennsylvanians undoubtedly know that Pittsburgh is the city of three rivers - the Allegheny, the Ohio, and the Monongahela (muh-nong-guh-hey-luh).
- North Versailles
Flickr/Jon Dawson So, we all know that the Palace of Versailles sits just outside of Paris, France. But, in Western Pennsylvania, you’ll find its namesake North Versailles. Only one big difference. It’s pronounced North ver-sales.
- Knoebels
Facebook/Kneobels Amusement Resort Virtual hands up if your favorite Pennsylvania amusement park is Knoebels? Do you say it Kuh-No-Bels? Or, Kuh-No-Bulls?
- Lititz
Facebook/Downtown Lititz The enchanting town of Lititz looks like it belongs in a fairy tale. Unfortunately, plenty of non-Pennsylvanians have difficulty pronouncing LIT-its.
- Conshohocken
Flickr/Montgomery County Planning Commission Snuggled along the Schuykill River, Conshohocken can be tough one to pronounce for those who don’t live in suburban Philadelphia. Do you pronounce it con-show-hock-n?
- Wilkes-Barre
Flickr/John Morgan Shout out to those who live in Wilkes-Barre. How do you pronounce the name of your town? There seems to be a pretty big debate online about its proper pronunciation. Some say it’s Wilkes-Berry while others claim it’s Wilkes-Barr-A. Which is it? Or, is it something different altogether?
- Reading
Flickr/Jack Will you be spending the day reading? Or, will you be visiting Reading, PA? Both are pronounced in very different ways. If you’ll be visiting the charming town of Reading, you’ll say it red-ding.
What other words that only Pennsylvanians can pronounce would you add to this list? Add to the list in the comments below. Then, click here to read about the 10 words we Pennsylvanians just don’t understand.
Flickr/Michael Stokes
Let’s jump right in with one of the towns in Pennsylvania that promises a challenge when it comes to pronunciation and spelling. Schuykill is pronounced SKOO-kill.
Flickr/Tom Hamilton
The key to success when pronouncing Duquesne - the Duquesne Incline or Duquesne University in Pittsburgh - is to think in French. Keep the s silent when saying doo-kane.
Flickr/Jenny Tabrum
Most Pennsylvanians undoubtedly know that Pittsburgh is the city of three rivers - the Allegheny, the Ohio, and the Monongahela (muh-nong-guh-hey-luh).
Flickr/Jon Dawson
So, we all know that the Palace of Versailles sits just outside of Paris, France. But, in Western Pennsylvania, you’ll find its namesake North Versailles. Only one big difference. It’s pronounced North ver-sales.
Facebook/Kneobels Amusement Resort
Virtual hands up if your favorite Pennsylvania amusement park is Knoebels? Do you say it Kuh-No-Bels? Or, Kuh-No-Bulls?
Facebook/Downtown Lititz
The enchanting town of Lititz looks like it belongs in a fairy tale. Unfortunately, plenty of non-Pennsylvanians have difficulty pronouncing LIT-its.
Flickr/Montgomery County Planning Commission
Snuggled along the Schuykill River, Conshohocken can be tough one to pronounce for those who don’t live in suburban Philadelphia. Do you pronounce it con-show-hock-n?
Flickr/John Morgan
Shout out to those who live in Wilkes-Barre. How do you pronounce the name of your town? There seems to be a pretty big debate online about its proper pronunciation. Some say it’s Wilkes-Berry while others claim it’s Wilkes-Barr-A. Which is it? Or, is it something different altogether?
Flickr/Jack
Will you be spending the day reading? Or, will you be visiting Reading, PA? Both are pronounced in very different ways. If you’ll be visiting the charming town of Reading, you’ll say it red-ding.
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