If You Can Pronounce These 9 Words, You've Lived In Washington For Far Too Long
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Jessica Wick
Author
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.
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.
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."
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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."
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Skamokawa trips up even the lifelong Washingtonians. Believe it or not, it's pronounced "ska-MOCK-a-way."
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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."
Lake "KETCH-uh-less" supplies the Yakima River, and it's a beautiful place.
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."
The burial site of Chief Seattle is an important part of local history. It's pronounced "soo-KWAH-mish."
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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.
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