If You Can Pronounce These 14 Words, You’ve Lived in Maryland Too Long

Maryland may be known for blue crabs, Old Bay, and irrational hatred of out-of-state drivers, but its place names are where outsiders really struggle. With a mix of Native American, French, and good old Maryland slurring, half of these words don’t sound anything like they look. If you can pronounce them all effortlessly, congratulations—you might just be a true Marylander.

14 Words Only True Marylanders Can Pronounce

Maryland (Mare-uh-lind or Mare-lin’)

Say all three syllables, and you’re officially from somewhere else.

Baltimore (Bawl-mer or Baw-da-more)

The “T” is optional, but a true local drops it entirely.

Annapolis (Uh-NAP-uh-lis)

If you pronounce that first “A” too hard, you’re not from here.

Wicomico (Why-KOM-ih-co)

Not “Wick-o-mee-co.” Take your time with it.

Patapsco (Puh-TAP-sko)

Looks weird, but rolls off the tongue once you get it.

Accokeek (ACK-uh-keek)

No, it’s not “Ah-ko-keek.”

Towson (TOW-sun)

If you say “TOW-son” like it rhymes with “cow,” just stop.

Havre de Grace (Hav-er duh GRACE or Hav-dee-grass)

Pronunciation depends on how much you’ve had to drink.

Ellicott City (EL-uh-kit City)

The “cott” is short and sweet, like a proper Maryland crab feast.

Boonsboro (BOONS-burrow)

If you say “Boons-BORO,” you’re outing yourself.

Piscataway (Piss-KAT-uh-way)

Try saying it fast three times.

La Plata (Luh-PLAY-duh)

Don’t even think about making it sound Spanish.

Solomons (SAH-luh-muns)

You know you’ve made it when you can say it without pausing.

Bowie (BOO-ee)

If you say “Bow-ie,” just go ahead and leave the state now.

If you nailed all of these, congrats—you’ve earned the right to complain about the Bay Bridge traffic, argue about the best crab cake in the state, and explain to outsiders that DC is basically just Maryland in disguise. For everyone else, just listen, learn, and let a local handle the pronunciation—preferably over a bushel of crabs and a Natty Boh.

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