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

Massachusetts: home of Harvard, the Red Sox, and town names that look like a spelling bee gone horribly wrong. If you’re brave enough to attempt pronouncing things phonetically here, don’t be surprised when someone in a Dunkin’ line gives you a five-minute lecture—with attitude and a thick Boston accent. From silent letters to names that sound like someone sneezed mid-word, here are 12 ways to prove you’re definitely not from the Bay State.

1. Worcester (WUSS-ter, not War-chest-er)

If you pronounce more than two syllables, you just failed your first Mass test.

2. Leominster (LEH-min-ster, not Leo-min-ster)

This town eats syllables for breakfast and judges you for noticing.

3. Gloucester (GLOSS-ter, not Glow-chest-er)

Sounds like a disease. Is actually a fishing town and pronunciation trap.

4. Peabody (PEE-buh-dee, not Pee-body)

Three syllables. No dignity if you say it wrong in front of locals.

5. Haverhill (HAY-vrill, not Have-er-hill)

No one knows what happened to the middle syllable. We just moved on.

6. Billerica (Bill-RICK-uh, not Bill-er-ree-ka)

Say it fancy, and you’ll be rerouted directly to New Hampshire.

7. Reading (REDD-ing, not Read-ing)

You’re not reading a book. You’re reading the room wrong.

8. Scituate (SITCH-oo-it, not Sky-too-ate)

Bonus points if you say it without laughing. We know what it looks like.

9. Chilmark (CHILL-mark, not Child-mark)

A chill town with zero chill for incorrect pronunciation.

10. Mashpee (MASH-pee, not Mah-shay)

Yes, it’s fun to say. Unless you say it wrong—then it’s awkward.

11. Somerville (SUM-ah-vill, not Soh-murr-ville)

Drop the R. You’re in Massachusetts now. We don’t need it.

12. Quincy (KWIN-zee, not Quinn-cee)

Presidents came from here. And they’d all judge your pronunciation.

So, how’d you do, kid? If you nailed them all, you’ve probably survived a Boston winter, a rotary, and a Sox game all in one weekend. If not, don’t sweat it—just grab a large regular from Dunks and practice saying “Worcester” until your tongue gives up. Welcome to Massachusetts—where we drop R’s, raise eyebrows, and pronounce town names like it’s a competitive sport.

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