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

Utah is known for stunning national parks, fry sauce, and an unusual talent for adding or removing syllables from place names at will. Thanks to a mix of Native American, Spanish, and pure Utah logic, some of these words sound nothing like they look. If you can say them all effortlessly, congratulations—you might just be a true Utahn (and yes, that’s Utahn, not Utahan).

14 Words Only True Utahns Can Pronounce

Utah (YOO-taw)

If you pronounce the “h” too hard, we know you’re not from here.

Tooele (Too-ILL-uh)

If you said “Too-lee” or “Tool,” bless your heart.

Hurricane (HER-uh-kin)

It’s not a storm, it’s a town, and it’s definitely not “Hurr-i-cane.”

Nephi (NEE-fy)

Not “Neh-fee.” Just channel your inner Book of Mormon knowledge.

Duchesne (Doo-SHAYN)

That extra “e” at the end? Ignore it.

Juab (JOO-ab)

If you say “Hoo-ab,” we’re gonna have to talk.

Mantua (MAN-uh-way)

The spelling is a trap.

Beaver (BEE-ver)

Simple, but if you laugh, you’re obviously not from Utah.

Moab (MO-ab)

Say it right, and someone might invite you to go jeeping.

Oquirrh (OAK-er)

Nothing about this name makes sense, but here we are.

Kanab (Kuh-NAB)

If you can say it, you’ve probably been through it on your way to Zion.

Levan (Luh-VAN)

It’s literally “navel” spelled backward, and no one questions why.

Salina (Suh-LIE-nuh)

Say it like you’re from Kansas, and you’re immediately suspect.

Spanish Fork (SPAN-ish FORK)

Sounds simple, but if you live here, you know it’s really “Spannish Fark.”

If you got all of these right, congratulations—you’ve earned the right to complain about ski traffic, explain what “funeral potatoes” are to outsiders, and pretend you understand the liquor laws. You also know that fry sauce is superior to ketchup, that “The Greatest Snow on Earth” isn’t an exaggeration, and that there’s nothing weird about a town with 17 soda shops. For everyone else, just listen, learn, and let a local do the talking—preferably over a Dirty Dr Pepper and a fresh scone (which, yes, is fried dough here).

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