If You Can Pronounce These 8 Words, You've Lived In Iowa For Far Too Long

Iowans don’t really have an accent – right? The Midwest is kind of neutral when it comes to that, especially when you compare Brooklyn, Iowa to Brooklyn, New York. We do have some quirky town names, though, and we’re pretty particular about how you pronounce them. Out of staters get it wrong all the time, and here are 8 of the greatest offenders.

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I love hearing Iowans pronounce Nevada, because it's truly unique to call it Ne-VAY-dah

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This one trips up a lot of visitors! It's not La Porte, it's Luh Port.

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Duh - it's duh-byook. Not Du-bu-que, which sounds like some sort of off-brand BBQ sauce.

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C'mon, we're not in Spain. It's not Ma-DRID, it's MA-drid.

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People pronounce this one a few ways, but I've heard Kyoh-kuk the most. I think it's okay to say KEE-okuk, though, too!

Flickr / Tom Gill

I've heard everything from Ma-quack-eta ro MaquoKEEta, but you know you're from Iowa when you call it Muh-KOKE-uh-tuh.

Flickr / Jason Mrachina

This one should be a given, but I still hear out-of-staters pronouncing the s! It's di-moyn.

Flickr / Vincent Parsons

Headed west? Chances are you'll see the luss hills.

What are your favorite Iowa town names? Read up on the background of These 11 Iowa Town Names to learn the meanings and histories that most people don’t know!