We Know You’re Not From Arkansas If You Mispronounce These 12 Names

Arkansas: where the rivers run wild, the sweet tea runs sweeter, and the town names make absolutely zero phonetic sense. If you’re pronouncing things the way they’re spelled, congratulations—you’ve just outed yourself as someone who’s definitely not from around here. Don’t worry, we’ll help you out before you embarrass yourself trying to ask for directions in “Boone-ville.”

1. Arkansas (AR-kan-saw, not Ar-Kansas)

Yes, the whole state name is a trick question. And no, we don’t want to talk about how Kansas got off easy.

2. Ozark (OH-zark, not Ah-zark)

You’ll hear it in every tourist ad—but say it weird, and you’ll be escorted out of the flea market.

3. Fouke (Fowk, rhymes with “poke,” not Fook)

Home of the Boggy Creek Monster and more uncomfortable mispronunciations than we can count.

4. Des Arc (DEZ-ark, not Dayz-ark)

French spelling, Southern twist—because we like to keep outsiders guessing.

5. Monticello (Mon-ti-SELL-oh, not Mon-ti-CHELL-oh)

Thomas Jefferson is screaming somewhere, but this is how we do it in Arkansas.

6. El Dorado (El Doh-RAY-doh, not El Door-ah-doh)

Forget what you learned in Spanish class—it’s been Southern-fried.

7. Petit Jean (Petty-jeen, not Puh-teet zhon)

Beautiful park, even more beautiful when you don’t say it like a lost Parisian.

8. Ouachita (WASH-i-taw, not Oh-ah-cheetah)

Yes, all those letters are necessary. No, they are not helpful.

9. Beebe (Bee-bee, not Behb)

Looks like a typo. Sounds like someone calling their grandma.

10. Dumas (DOO-muss, not Dumb-ass)

Please. For your own sake. Do not say it how you think it’s spelled.

11. Tyronza (Tie-RON-zuh, not Tee-ron-zah)

Sounds like a WWE wrestler. Isn’t. But say it wrong and locals will put you in a verbal chokehold.

12. Success (Suck-cess, not Sook-sess)

An ironic name for a ghost town—and a litmus test for non-locals.

So, how’d you do? If you nailed all 12, you’ve either lived here your whole life or you’ve been blessed by a higher Arkansas power—probably a grandma named Earlene. But if you flubbed a few, don’t worry—we’ll still share our fried pies with you. Just… let someone else order.

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