Here in Texas, we have plenty of places and words with pronunciations that even left us scratching our heads at first – so imagine how difficult it must be for non-Texans and newbies to the state. Here are 10 words that only those of us who hail from the Lone Star State can pronounce.
- Gruene
Flickr/cogdog Just like the color. It really isn’t that hard, but people from out-of-state manage to butcher it beyond belief every single time.
- Whataburger
Flickr/thomashawk Say it with me: Watt-uh-burger. If you pronounce it “What-uh-burger,” then you’re probably a Yankee.
- Waxahatchie
Flickr/jremigio The name of this small town leaves anyone who isn’t from Texas scratching their head in confusion. We know it looks like “Wax-uh-hatch-ee,” but it’s actually “Walks-uh-hatch-ee.” The more you know, right?
- New Braunfels
Flickr/sheffieldb Let’s get one thing straight, y’all: THERE IS NO “S” IN THE MIDDLE OF BRAUNFELS. Do you see one? I sure don’t. It isn’t “Braunsfels” or “Braunsfel,” it’s “Braunfels.” Let’s get this one right from now on.
- Burnet
Flickr/bjccray I know everyone loves Carol Burnett, but this town was not named after her. It’s “burn-it,” y’all. Couldn’t be easier to pronounce.
- Bowie
Flickr/anyjazz65 Proper pronunciation of this town is imperative considering who it’s named after. Jim Bowie was a soldier in the Battle of the Alamo, so confusing him with a musician is a disgrace. If you only get one name on this list right, let it be this one.
- Boerne
Flickr/einahpets32 It isn’t “born” and it certainly isn’t “burn” (why over-complicate such a simple word?) It’s “Burn-knee.” I promise it isn’t that difficult.
- Guadalupe
Flickr/ritaquinn Mother Nature will be extremely upset with you for mispronouncing the name of one of the longest, most powerful rivers in the state. It’s not “Guada-loopy,” and it never will be no matter how many times you say it that way. Repeat after me: “Guad-uh-loop-ay.”
- Bexar County
Flickr/bryansjs You’ll be kicking yourself when you realize how simple this one is. Just like the animal, it’s pronounced “Bear.” Now you won’t ever look like a fool in front of natives again for saying “Bex-are.” You’re welcome.
- Study Butte
Flickr/davehensley As much as we wish it was, this tiny town outside of Big Bend isn’t called “Study Butt.” Unfortunately, it’s “Study B-yewt,” but since hardly anyone lives there, I think we can get away with pronouncing it however we like.
What other words can only Texans pronounce? Add to our list in the comments below. Then, head over to this article and learn about some town names in our state that are just downright silly – you’ve probably never even heard of most of them!
Flickr/cogdog
Just like the color. It really isn’t that hard, but people from out-of-state manage to butcher it beyond belief every single time.
Flickr/thomashawk
Say it with me: Watt-uh-burger. If you pronounce it “What-uh-burger,” then you’re probably a Yankee.
Flickr/jremigio
The name of this small town leaves anyone who isn’t from Texas scratching their head in confusion. We know it looks like “Wax-uh-hatch-ee,” but it’s actually “Walks-uh-hatch-ee.” The more you know, right?
Flickr/sheffieldb
Let’s get one thing straight, y’all: THERE IS NO “S” IN THE MIDDLE OF BRAUNFELS. Do you see one? I sure don’t. It isn’t “Braunsfels” or “Braunsfel,” it’s “Braunfels.” Let’s get this one right from now on.
Flickr/bjccray
I know everyone loves Carol Burnett, but this town was not named after her. It’s “burn-it,” y’all. Couldn’t be easier to pronounce.
Flickr/anyjazz65
Proper pronunciation of this town is imperative considering who it’s named after. Jim Bowie was a soldier in the Battle of the Alamo, so confusing him with a musician is a disgrace. If you only get one name on this list right, let it be this one.
Flickr/einahpets32
It isn’t “born” and it certainly isn’t “burn” (why over-complicate such a simple word?) It’s “Burn-knee.” I promise it isn’t that difficult.
Flickr/ritaquinn
Mother Nature will be extremely upset with you for mispronouncing the name of one of the longest, most powerful rivers in the state. It’s not “Guada-loopy,” and it never will be no matter how many times you say it that way. Repeat after me: “Guad-uh-loop-ay.”
Flickr/bryansjs
You’ll be kicking yourself when you realize how simple this one is. Just like the animal, it’s pronounced “Bear.” Now you won’t ever look like a fool in front of natives again for saying “Bex-are.” You’re welcome.
Flickr/davehensley
As much as we wish it was, this tiny town outside of Big Bend isn’t called “Study Butt.” Unfortunately, it’s “Study B-yewt,” but since hardly anyone lives there, I think we can get away with pronouncing it however we like.
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