Here are 11 tricky Washington state place names with their correct pronunciations, daring anyone to say them right on the first try:
1. Sequim — Pronounced “skwim.” This small town’s name is often mispronounced with extra syllables.
2. Puyallup — Pronounced “pyoo-ALL-up.” The local pronunciation breaks up the word distinctly, unlike outside guesses.
3. Wenatchee — Pronounced “wuh-NATCH-ee.” A beautiful city, but the spelling tricks many newcomers.
4. Spokane — Pronounced “spo-KAN,” not “spo-KANE.” This is one of the most common mispronunciations.
5. Issaquah — Pronounced “iss-AH-kwah.” Avoid saying “ICE-uh-kwah,” which is a common mistake.
6. Okanogan — Pronounced “oh-ka-NO-gun.” This county’s name challenges many unfamiliar with the region.
7. Poulsbo — Pronounced “PAULS-bo.” A charming waterfront town often misread by visitors.
8. Skamokawa — Pronounced “ska-MOCK-a-way.” This mouthful is a small community with a tongue-twisting name.
9. Cle Elum — Pronounced “clay-ELL-um.” The spacing and syllables confuse many first-timers.
10. Wahkiakum — Pronounced “wuh-KY-uh-kum.” A county in southwest Washington with a complex name.
11. Methow — Pronounced “MEE-tow,” with a silent ‘h.’ The Methow Valley offers stunning natural beauty but its name can trip speakers up.
These names reflect the rich indigenous and settler heritage of Washington state and are often difficult to master without local tutelage or practice. Most out-of-towners will fumble at least one on their first try.
Sources
(http://www.cohp.org/wa/notes/placenames_pronunciation.html)
(https://www.reddit.com/r/Seattle/comments/1v3k2i/the_unofficial_seattle_area_pronunciation_guide/)
(https://x.com/thenewstribune/status/1930970454048587997)
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfmLV9CKbcE)
(https://rex.libraries.wsu.edu/esploro/outputs/book/Washington-names-A-pronunciation-guide-of/99900501009201842)
