Say These 13 Words Correctly and Every Georgian Will Know You’re One of Them

Georgia is sweet tea, porch sittin’, and a language all its own — especially when it comes to town names that look like someone lost a Scrabble bet. But here’s the secret: locals don’t just say the words right, they say them with attitude, confidence, and a little drawl. If you can pronounce all 13 of these the Southern way, go ahead and grab yourself a peach — you’ve officially earned Georgia status.

Albany (AWL-benny)

If you said “All-BAN-ee,” you just outed yourself as someone who’s never sat in I-75 traffic.

Cairo (KAY-ro)

It’s not in Egypt, honey. It’s in Georgia — and it comes with fried chicken and football.

Ponce de Leon (PONTS duh LEE-on)

This Atlanta street sounds nothing like your 8th grade history class said it would.

Bonaire (BON-air)

Looks French. Sounds like air conditioning. Locals say it fast and don’t look back.

LaFayette (Luh-FAY-it)

Not “La-FEE-ette.” Not “Laff-ee-yet.” Just bless your heart and try again.

Houston County (HOW-stun County)

If you said “Hew-stun,” you’re thinking of Texas. We don’t do that here.

Chattahoochee (Chat-uh-HOO-chee)

It’s not just a river — it’s a rite of passage. Say it wrong, and Alan Jackson himself might appear to correct you.

Dahlonega (Duh-LAWN-uh-guh)

Gold rush town, not a tongue twister — though it sure acts like one.

Cusseta (Kuh-SEE-tuh)

Blink and you’ll miss it — or worse, pronounce it “CUSS-etta” and get gently corrected at the gas station.

Tybee Island (TIE-bee Island)

Not “Tibby.” Not “Taybee.” Tie. Bee. Now go soak up some sun.

Vidalia (Vy-DAYL-yuh)

If you said “Vid-uh-lee-uh,” just hand over your onion and walk away.

Toccoa (Tuh-KO-uh)

Beautiful waterfalls, hard-to-say name. Welcome to Georgia.

Cumming (CUH-ming)

Say it straight. No jokes. Just smile and wave, y’all.

If you made it through all 13 without needing a pronunciation guide or a sweet tea chaser, congrats — you’re practically kin. You now have the right to say “bless your heart” with layered meaning and explain to outsiders why Coke is a food group. Georgia doesn’t ask for much… just that you say our town names right and know that pecan is pronounced puh-CAHN, not PEE-can.

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