Here are 8 Pennsylvania town names that will make your GPS have an existential crisis because they are famously tricky to pronounce correctly:
- Lititz
Often mispronounced as “LIT-itz” or worse, the correct pronunciation is LIT-its, with a soft ending that trips up many newcomers. - Ephrata
Pronounced EH-fruh-tuh, this town’s name’s vowel sounds are subtle and commonly misheard, making it difficult for people unfamiliar with local dialects. - Quakake
Pronounced kwah-KAY-kee, this town name of Native American origin confounds listeners with its unusual vowel combinations and syllable emphasis. - Versailles
Unrelated to the French pronunciation, in Pennsylvania, it’s said as ver-SAILZ (not “VER-sigh” or “ver-SIGH”), a challenging deviation many fail on first try. - Schuylkill
Pronounced SKOYL-Kill, this name of Dutch origin often gets butchered. Many say “Skoo-ill-kill” or “Skool-kill,” but locals stick to the succinct “skoyl” sound. - Bala Cynwyd
A tricky Welsh-derived name pronounced BAY-luh SIN-wid, it’s often mispronounced with extra syllables or misplaced emphasis. - North Versailles
Locals shorten this to north vur-SALES, with the emphasis on “sales” rather than the expected “vers-AILZ,” confusing outsiders. - Wilkes-Barre
One of the most debated pronunciations in Pennsylvania, locals usually say it as WILKZ-berry or sometimes WILKS-bair, frustrating visitors who try to stick to the spelling.
Trying to get Pennsylvania town names right is often an adventure in itself, as many names come from diverse linguistic roots, including Native American, Dutch, Welsh, and French origins. GPS systems can struggle, but locals take pride in their unique pronunciations that reflect the region’s rich cultural history.
Sources
(https://www.rd.com/list/difficult-to-pronounce-towns/)
(https://www.reddit.com/r/Pennsylvania/comments/1diyh0l/since_were_talking_about_pronunciation/)
(https://sshelco-primo.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/primo-explore/fulldisplay?vid=STLIBPA&docid=01SSHELCO_STLIBPA_ALMA2196665800003572&lang=en_US&context=L)
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5HJEuY-ppE)
(https://www.instagram.com/reel/DI3_tdUgt-d/)
