We Dare You to Say These 11 Pennsylvania Places Correctly on Your First Try (Spoiler: You Can’t)

Here are 11 Pennsylvania place names that are notoriously difficult to pronounce—good luck getting them right on your first try!

1. Schuylkill

Pronounced SKOO-kill, this name often trips up newcomers due to its unusual spelling. It refers to the river and expressway in southeastern Pennsylvania.

2. Duquesne

This Pittsburgh name is pronounced doo-KANE. Its French origins make it tricky for those unfamiliar with silent letters.

3. Monongahela

Pronounced muh-NONG-guh-HEY-luh, this name belongs to one of Pittsburgh’s famous rivers and is a challenge even for locals.

4. North Versailles

Unlike its French counterpart, this Western Pennsylvania town is pronounced North ver-SAILS, which often confuses visitors.

5. Wilkes-Barre

This city’s pronunciation sparks debate among locals, with variations like Wilks-Berry, Wilks-Bear, and Wilks-Barr-A.

6. Reading

Despite its spelling, Reading is pronounced RED-ding. It’s a common giveaway that someone isn’t from Pennsylvania if they say it like the verb “reading”.

7. Lititz

This charming town is pronounced LIT-its. Some outsiders mistakenly call it “Le Tits,” much to the amusement of locals.

8. Conshohocken

Located near Philadelphia, this tongue-twister is pronounced con-shuh-HOCK-en. It’s a name that often stumps non-residents.

9. Lancaster

Pennsylvania’s Lancaster is pronounced LAN-kiss-ter, not LAN-cass-ter like its English counterpart or versions in other states.

10. Tunkhannock

This northeastern PA town is pronounced Tunk-HAN-nock. Its Native American origins make it unique but challenging to say.

11. Bala Cynwyd

This Philadelphia suburb has Welsh roots and is pronounced BAL-uh KIN-wid. Its spelling often misleads newcomers.

Pennsylvania’s place names are a fascinating mix of Native American, French, and Welsh influences, making them both culturally rich and linguistically tricky!

Sources

1. https://www.rd.com/list/difficult-to-pronounce-towns/
2. https://www.rd.com/list/mispronounced-city-names/
3. https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/state-pride/pennsylvania/hard-to-pronounce-words-pa
4. https://www.reddit.com/r/Pennsylvania/comments/1diyh0l/since_were_talking_about_pronunciation/
5. https://www.reddit.com/r/Pennsylvania/comments/q7dj9a/coolest_sounding_town_or_place_name_in_all_of/