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New York isn’t just skyscrapers and subway rats—it’s a state full of towns that look easy to pronounce until they suddenly aren’t. From Dutch and Native American roots to names that seem like someone sneezed on a map, the Empire State is full of linguistic landmines. And trust us—nothing outs you as a non-New Yorker faster than saying “Coxsackie” wrong in front of someone who’s been through five upstate winters and still refuses to move.
1. Coxsackie (Cook-SAH-kee, not Cox-sack-ee)
We know what you’re thinking. You’re wrong. Move on.
2. Schenectady (Ska-NECK-tuh-dee, not Shen-eck-ta-dee)
It’s not elegant. It’s efficient—just like a true upstater.
3. Canajoharie (Can-uh-joe-HARRY, not Can-a-joe-hairy)
Say it like you’ve been lost on the Thruway for three hours.
4. Hoosick (HOO-zick, not Ho-sick)
Sounds like a cold. Actually just cold most of the year.
5. Oneonta (Oh-nee-AHN-tuh, not One-oh-nay-tuh)
It’s a college town, not a boutique brand of mineral water.
6. Skaneateles (Skinny-AT-less, not Scan-eat-uh-lees)
Congratulations, you just failed the Finger Lakes final exam.
7. Latham (LAY-thum, not Lath-ham)
You’re not ordering it off a brunch menu—just passing through Albany.
8. Kinderhook (KIN-der-hook, not Kine-der-hawk)
Yes, Martin Van Buren was born here. No, he won’t help you pronounce it.
9. Delhi (DEL-high, not Dell-ee)
This isn’t India. It’s Delaware County. And yes, they’ll remind you.
10. Nunda (NUN-day, not None-duh)
Mispronounce it and you’ll be none too popular.
11. Lackawanna (Lack-uh-WAH-nuh, not Lack-a-wanna-be)
A real place. Not a roast.
12. New York (New YAWK, not New YORRRK)
If you say it like a commercial, you’re not from here. Period.
If you got them all right, congrats—you’ve probably shoveled snow off a sidewalk, yelled at a cab, and debated bagel rankings all before noon. If not, that’s okay—just don’t say “Scan-eat-uh-lees” in front of someone from the Finger Lakes unless you’re ready for a full-blown pronunciation intervention. Welcome to New York—if the names don’t trip you up, the people correcting you will.
The post We Know You’re Not From New York If You Mispronounce These 12 Names appeared first on When In Your State.