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

Alabama doesn’t just have towns—it has tongue twisters disguised as city names. If you think phonics will help you here, bless your heart. From places that sound nothing like they’re spelled to names that seem made up on a dare, you’ll know real quick if someone’s a local—or just lost on I-65.

1. Arab (Ay-rab, not A-rab)

Nope, it’s not the desert kind. And yes, people will absolutely correct you.

2. Lafayette (Luh-FAY-it, not Lah-fye-ETT)

Say it fancy and you’ll be labeled a Yankee immediately.

3. Eufaula (You-fall-uh, not Ew-fowl-ah)

Try not to overthink it—and definitely don’t say “Eww.”

4. Cahaba (Ka-HA-ba, not Kah-hah-bah)

The stress is on “HA,” like your GPS laughing at you for getting it wrong.

5. Wetumpka (Weh-TUMP-kuh, not Wee-tump-ka)

Bonus points if you can say it fast without sounding like you sneezed.

6. Tuscaloosa (Tusk-uh-LOO-suh, not Tusk-uh-lah-see)

Home of the Crimson Tide and 14 ways to mess it up if you’re not careful.

7. Oneonta (Uh-nee-AHN-tuh, not One-oh-nuh-ta)

Looks like a typo, sounds like you’re clearing your throat.

8. Opelika (Oh-puh-LIE-kuh, not Oh-peh-leak-uh)

If you say “leak” in it, you’re leaking credibility.

9. Tallassee (TAL-uh-see, not Tallahassee)

Close to Florida’s capital—but don’t get them confused unless you enjoy dirty looks.

10. Sylacauga (Sill-uh-CAW-guh, not Silly-cow-gah)

The marble capital of Alabama… and mispronunciation capital of tourists.

11. Demopolis (Duh-MOP-uh-liss, not Dee-mo-police)

No, it’s not some kind of Greek democracy spin-off.

12. Bayou La Batre (Bye-you luh BAT-ree, not Bay-oh la Bat-ray)

Shrimp, Forrest Gump, and pronunciation traps—what more could you want?

There you go—12 ways to prove you’ve never sipped sweet tea on a front porch or been stuck behind a tractor on a backroad. Nail these names, and we might just let you stay for the next fish fry. But butcher one, and someone’s Meemaw is already side-eying you from the porch swing.

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