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30 June 2025
Arizona is a state filled with distinctive landscapes and vibrant cultures, but one of the more subtle (yet telling) markers of a true Arizonan is the way they pronounce specific place names. The local lexicon offers a fun and sometimes frustrating challenge for outsiders. So, what are the clues that reveal whether someone is genuinely an Arizona native?
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The first word that comes to mind when we think about Arizona mispronunciations is Tempe. While most outsiders may think it’s pronounced like the fermented soybeans (tempeh), locals know that it’s pronounced Tem-PEE (with a soft “e”).
Next up is Prescott, another point of pride (and confusion) for Arizonans. The commonly accepted pronunciation is Press-KIT (with a soft “i”), but you’ll occasionally hear Press-COT from visitors. Those who have lived in or around the city for any period will confidently pronounce it Press-KIT. It’s almost a rite of passage when you hear a visitor pronounce it wrong, and the locals love to correct them.
Interestingly, the mispronunciation of Prescott has historical roots. The Prescott family, after whom the town is named, purposely mispronounced their name to distance themselves from British influences in the 1800s. That tradition has been carried on in Arizona, adding an extra layer of historical significance to the local dialect.
The Mogollon Rim, which naturally attracts many tourists, may cause further confusion due to its pronunciation, as even locals struggle to agree on it. Depending on where you are in the state, locals will confidently pronounce it in their way: Mug-ee-yawn or Mug-ee-own. This is one of those words that stumps outsiders (who usually mispronounce it “Mo-go-lawn”). A native Arizona hiker might shorten it to ‘the Rim,’ avoiding the confusion altogether.
Another place name with varied pronunciations is Gila Bend. The name Gila itself often trips up visitors, who tend to say Gee-lah. However, true Arizonans call it Gila (with a soft “g” sound, like “HEE-lah”).
Of course, Tucson is another Arizona name that often confuses outsiders. Although it may seem to be pronounced Tuck-sawn, the correct pronunciation is Too-sawn. Visitors may not get it right, but locals will always let them know how it’s done.
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While many of these mispronunciations are harmless, they reveal something more profound about Arizona’s local culture. Arizona is a state that takes pride in its history and heritage. Many of these unique names are rooted in Native American, Spanish, and Anglo influences that shaped the region, and proper pronunciation helps preserve the stories behind these places. For Arizonans, it’s about preserving local history and passing that knowledge down to the next generation.
So, if you’re planning on spending time in Arizona or, even better, relocating, learning the correct pronunciation is an easy way to fit in. And if you get it wrong? Well, you’ll probably just get a friendly chuckle from the locals and maybe a little education along the way.
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