Sometimes it seems like Nashville has a language all its own, what with its Tennessee sayings and southern drawl filtered liberally throughout the city. Whether you’re from Music City itself or made your way over as a transplant – no shame, folks! – there are a few choice words that should definitely garner a bit of your attention. If you pronounce them wrong, you’re sure to get a few confused looks and a tad bit of judgment. Let us help you out!
- Demonbreun
Paul Nicholson - Flickr As possibly the most common mispronounced name in the city, De-mun-bree-un should morph into common verbage pretty quickly.
- Lebanon
Jeff Reid - Flickr Lebanon is pronounced, “LebanIN,” as opposed to the country which emphasizes the O in “on.” We’re keeping you honest here in Nashville - don’t mess this one up again, folks.
- RC
Thomas Hawk - Flickr You really should know how to pronounce RC, but it’s also nice to know that ordering a cold RC means your soda is coming right up. It’s a sweet bit of Nashville vernacular that you should quickly claim as your own.
- Lafayette
Jason Mrachina - Flickr LaFAYette has a hard “A” sound right in the middle of it, as opposed to the more common “I” sound you’ll find in multiple dialects across the world.
- Murfreesboro
Stephen Drake - Flickr Murfreesboro is easier to pronounce, but locals and tourists will emphasize different parts of the word. This, in turn, brands you as a newbie or a golden oldie. Which one would you rather be?
- Leipers Fork
Brent Moore - Flickr Pronounced “Leapers,” you’ll want to ignore that “I” in there, unless you want to find yourself branded as an out-of-towner.
- Rinne
Joe Parks - Flickr If you don’t know how to pronounce the last name of Predator’s player Pekka Rinne, we don’t know how to help you.
We have a few other crazy words and saying, but you’ll find them across the entire span of Tennessee.
Paul Nicholson - Flickr
As possibly the most common mispronounced name in the city, De-mun-bree-un should morph into common verbage pretty quickly.
Jeff Reid - Flickr
Lebanon is pronounced, “LebanIN,” as opposed to the country which emphasizes the O in “on.” We’re keeping you honest here in Nashville - don’t mess this one up again, folks.
Thomas Hawk - Flickr
You really should know how to pronounce RC, but it’s also nice to know that ordering a cold RC means your soda is coming right up. It’s a sweet bit of Nashville vernacular that you should quickly claim as your own.
Jason Mrachina - Flickr
LaFAYette has a hard “A” sound right in the middle of it, as opposed to the more common “I” sound you’ll find in multiple dialects across the world.
Stephen Drake - Flickr
Murfreesboro is easier to pronounce, but locals and tourists will emphasize different parts of the word. This, in turn, brands you as a newbie or a golden oldie. Which one would you rather be?
Brent Moore - Flickr
Pronounced “Leapers,” you’ll want to ignore that “I” in there, unless you want to find yourself branded as an out-of-towner.
Joe Parks - Flickr
If you don’t know how to pronounce the last name of Predator’s player Pekka Rinne, we don’t know how to help you.
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