Last year, more people moved to Oregon than almost any other state in the nation. With so many newcomers around, our state’s place names are being butchered left and right. Considering that even longtime Oregonians have trouble with some of these, it must be a real struggle for newbies to wrap their tongue around some of our unique words. Here are nine words that only true Oregonians can pronounce:
- Yachats
Flickr/Rick Obst The first word on our list is a bit of a doozy. It’s pronounced “YAH-hots,” and even true Oregonians have trouble with this one.
- Abiqua
Ethan Trewhitt/Flickr This amazing waterfall is arguably one of the most beautiful in the world. Locals know that it’s pronounced “AB-ih-kwa.”
- Aloha
Flickr/Jeff Muceus The key to success when pronouncing this word is to remember we’re in Oregon, not Hawaii. Unlike the island pronunciation, we say “a-LO-a.” Leave the “h” sound out.
- Champoeg
Flickr/Mark Goebel Most Oregonians know to pronounce this word “sham-POO-ee.” Once you learn it, it sticks in your brain because it’s just so fun to say, but it can be quite a challenge for newcomers.
- Willamette
Facebook/Willamette University This word can refer to a major river, a college, a valley, or a forest. No matter which one you’re talking about, make sure to pronounce it “will-AM-ett.”
- Clatskanie
Wikimedia/Tedder This charming timber town may be picturesque, but it sure is hard to pronounce! If you’re saying “Clat-skan-eye,” you’re saying it right.
- La Grande
Flickr/Daryle Dickens The trick to saying this word is knowing that the “e” is silent. “La Grand” is all you need.
- The Dalles
Flickr/cmh2315fl Continuing the trend of Oregon cities with hard to pronounce names, The Dalles is said “The DALZ.” Just one syllable. And yes, “The” is part of the full name. Don’t drop it.
- Heceta
Bonnie Moreland/Flickr Last but not least, Heceta is the name of the most photographed lighthouse on the Oregon Coast. It is pronounced “Ha-SEE-ta.”
As every true Oregonian knows, many of the incoming newbies are transplants from our neighbor to the south… and it’s pretty funny to watch Californians try their hardest to pronounce Oregon words. Check out our video of the results (to be fair, some of them did better than others!)
Flickr/Rick Obst
The first word on our list is a bit of a doozy. It’s pronounced “YAH-hots,” and even true Oregonians have trouble with this one.
Ethan Trewhitt/Flickr
This amazing waterfall is arguably one of the most beautiful in the world. Locals know that it’s pronounced “AB-ih-kwa.”
Flickr/Jeff Muceus
The key to success when pronouncing this word is to remember we’re in Oregon, not Hawaii. Unlike the island pronunciation, we say “a-LO-a.” Leave the “h” sound out.
Flickr/Mark Goebel
Most Oregonians know to pronounce this word “sham-POO-ee.” Once you learn it, it sticks in your brain because it’s just so fun to say, but it can be quite a challenge for newcomers.
Facebook/Willamette University
This word can refer to a major river, a college, a valley, or a forest. No matter which one you’re talking about, make sure to pronounce it “will-AM-ett.”
Wikimedia/Tedder
This charming timber town may be picturesque, but it sure is hard to pronounce! If you’re saying “Clat-skan-eye,” you’re saying it right.
Flickr/Daryle Dickens
The trick to saying this word is knowing that the “e” is silent. “La Grand” is all you need.
Flickr/cmh2315fl
Continuing the trend of Oregon cities with hard to pronounce names, The Dalles is said “The DALZ.” Just one syllable. And yes, “The” is part of the full name. Don’t drop it.
Bonnie Moreland/Flickr
Last but not least, Heceta is the name of the most photographed lighthouse on the Oregon Coast. It is pronounced “Ha-SEE-ta.”
How many of these places do you pronounce correctly? What other words that only Oregonians can pronounce would you add to the list? Share them (and the proper pronunciation) in the comments below!
Looking for more fun with words? Here are 10 words and phrases you’ll only understand if you’re from Oregon.
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