It’s easy to spot an out-of-towner when they throw out a “Spo-cane” or stumble through their own unique interpretation of “Puyallup.” Still, we do have some local words that even longtime Washingtonians struggle to pronounce. If each of these 10 roll off your tongue with ease, you’ve probably lived in the Evergreen State for a very long time.
- Tulalip
Liz Lawley / Flickr Sure, it looks like it’s pronounced “too-luh-lip,” but it’s pronounced “too-LAY-lip.” The little town serves as headquarters for the Tulalip Indian Reservation.
- Poulsbo
Historic Downtown Poulsbo Facebook Have you been referring to Washington’s Little Norway as “Poles-Bo?” As those who live there will politely tell you, It’s “Pauls-Bo.”
- Sequim
Kim / Flickr The next time someone talks about going to the lavender festival in “See-quim,” ask them where they’re from. By adulthood, most lifetime Washingtonians know it’s pronounced “skwim.”
- Skamokawa
Sam Beebe / Flickr Skamokawa trips up even the lifelong Washingtonians. Believe it or not, it’s pronounced “ska-MOCK-a-way.”
- Pend Oreille
J. Stephen Conn / Flickr We know how it’s spelled and how it looks. We’ve all probably slipped a time or too. But we know it’s really pronounced “pawn-do-ray.”
- Keechelus
Robert Ashworth / Flickr Lake “KETCH-uh-less” supplies the Yakima River, and it’s a beautiful place.
- Steilacoom
depo17 / Flickr Without hearing the name of Washington’s oldest town, you’d probably assume it was pronounced “Steilacoom.” But a true Washingtonian will say “STILL-a-come.”
- Suquamish
Gexydaf / Flickr The burial site of Chief Seattle is an important part of local history. It’s pronounced “soo-KWAH-mish.”
- Elbe
Benjamin van Waart / Flickr This tiny railroad town is a gateway to Mount Rainier National Park. And its pronunciation, “ELL-bee,” tends to throw tourists off.
Even longtime Washingtonians mispronounce words like these on occasion, so never worry about asking someone if you’re new to the area. And be prepared to think these thoughts at least once.
Liz Lawley / Flickr
Sure, it looks like it’s pronounced “too-luh-lip,” but it’s pronounced “too-LAY-lip.” The little town serves as headquarters for the Tulalip Indian Reservation.
Historic Downtown Poulsbo Facebook
Have you been referring to Washington’s Little Norway as “Poles-Bo?” As those who live there will politely tell you, It’s “Pauls-Bo.”
Kim / Flickr
The next time someone talks about going to the lavender festival in “See-quim,” ask them where they’re from. By adulthood, most lifetime Washingtonians know it’s pronounced “skwim.”
Sam Beebe / Flickr
Skamokawa trips up even the lifelong Washingtonians. Believe it or not, it’s pronounced “ska-MOCK-a-way.”
J. Stephen Conn / Flickr
We know how it’s spelled and how it looks. We’ve all probably slipped a time or too. But we know it’s really pronounced “pawn-do-ray.”
Robert Ashworth / Flickr
Lake “KETCH-uh-less” supplies the Yakima River, and it’s a beautiful place.
depo17 / Flickr
Without hearing the name of Washington’s oldest town, you’d probably assume it was pronounced “Steilacoom.” But a true Washingtonian will say “STILL-a-come.”
Gexydaf / Flickr
The burial site of Chief Seattle is an important part of local history. It’s pronounced “soo-KWAH-mish.”
Benjamin van Waart / Flickr
This tiny railroad town is a gateway to Mount Rainier National Park. And its pronunciation, “ELL-bee,” tends to throw tourists off.
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