# Missouri vs. Missoura **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 6, 2003, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/missouri-vs-missoura/180155 "2003-06-06T19:31:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![JBDivmstr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b4bc9f/32.png) [@JBDivmstr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JBDivmstr)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2011, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/missouri-vs-missoura/180155/41 "2011-02-13T14:46:52Z")
Now that I think about it… I have numerous relatives in north central Louisiana, most (if not all) of them, pronounce it Lou-ease-ee-ana… Then again, as often as not, I hear it pronounced Lose-ee-ana… 😕 As for yours truly, I tend to pronounce it BOTH ways… And it really doesn’t seem to matter… Just sayin’…😃 ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2011, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/missouri-vs-missoura/180155/42 "2011-02-13T15:36:11Z")
So is it “New Orlins”, “New Or-leens”, or just “N’orlins”? ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2011, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/missouri-vs-missoura/180155/43 "2011-02-13T17:01:33Z")
> [@JBDivmstr](#): > > Not trying to nitpick, BUT… If I remember my “basic” grammar lessons correctly… _proper_ nouns, are not subject to “phonetic” pronunciation rules. That’s nothing really special point about proper nouns–there’s plenty of common nouns not subject to typical English pronunciation rules. It’s just more common to see lots of variations in proper nouns, based on local pronunciations. My point was, though, that somebody never having seen “Iowa” before, given a crack at the name, is more likely to say “eye-oh-wuh” before “yo-wuh.” I mean, the pronunciations aren’t made from whole cloth, they are still (usually) based on the letters in the word, subject to local accents or interpretations. ---
**Author:** ![JBDivmstr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b4bc9f/32.png) [@JBDivmstr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JBDivmstr)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2011, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/missouri-vs-missoura/180155/44 "2011-02-15T01:00:00Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > That’s nothing really special point about proper nouns–there’s plenty of common nouns not subject to typical English pronunciation rules. It’s just more common to see lots of variations in proper nouns, based on local pronunciations. My point was, though, that somebody never having seen “Iowa” before, given a crack at the name, is more likely to say “eye-oh-wuh” before “yo-wuh.” I mean, the pronunciations aren’t made from whole cloth, they are still (usually) based on the letters in the word, subject to local accents or interpretations. Upon rereading your post, and contemplating past conversations with people from locales different from my own, I stand corrected, sir. :smack: 😃 ---
**Author:** ![JBDivmstr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b4bc9f/32.png) [@JBDivmstr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JBDivmstr)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2011, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/missouri-vs-missoura/180155/45 "2011-02-15T01:09:14Z")
IMHO…It seems to be the general consensus, that the “proper” pronunciation is _that **,which pleases** yourself_\*\*. 😃 Just sayin’… :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Bradjam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Bradjam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bradjam)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2011, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/missouri-vs-missoura/180155/46 "2011-02-15T01:58:09Z")
Ha ha…I can’t believe I opened up GQ to find an eight year old zombie with my name on it!! > [@JBDivmstr](#): > > Now that I think about it… I have numerous relatives in north central Louisiana, most (if not all) of them, pronounce it Lou-ease-ee-ana… Then again, as often as not, I hear it pronounced Lose-ee-ana… 😕 As for yours truly, I tend to pronounce it BOTH ways… And it really doesn’t seem to matter… Just sayin’…😃 Funny that you should post this here, but I’m in north central Louisiana. I believe all I’ve ever heard around here was “Lose-ee-ana,” at least from the natives. So is it “New Orlins”, “New Or-leens”, or just “N’orlins”? Chefguy, up in this part of the state, we pretty much say “New Orlins.” New Orleans natives (particularly those with a Cajun accent, say “N’awlins.” Newscasters, as you may have observed, think that “New Or-lee-ins” is the proper pronounciation, but that just ain’t right 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2011, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/missouri-vs-missoura/180155/47 "2011-02-15T20:52:57Z")
oops ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2011, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/missouri-vs-missoura/180155/48 "2011-02-15T20:59:58Z")
> [@raisinbread](#): > > [Marge: There are only 49 stars on that flag. > Abe: I’ll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missourah!](http://www.snpp.com/episodes/2F06) A script?! [The world is so much better since YouTube](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1KZ7s2wOyI). ---
**Author:** ![fiddlesticks](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiddlesticks/32/18129_2.png) [@fiddlesticks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fiddlesticks)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2011, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/missouri-vs-missoura/180155/49 "2011-02-17T15:37:47Z")
I remember Peter Jennings (a Canadian!) was partial to “Missour-ah”. ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2011, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/missouri-vs-missoura/180155/50 "2011-02-17T15:52:33Z")
**since we’re on the subject . . .** We like to listen to the old-time radio shows on satellite radio, and the old mysteries use the “Los Angeles” as in “triangle” pronunciation. When did that change? I know it’s “city of the angels” and that’s more of the Spanish pronunciation, isn’t it? It sounds OK when Jack Webb says it; when did it become the “j” sound? ---
**Author:** ![bhf100](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f4b2a3/32.png) [@bhf100](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bhf100)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2011, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/missouri-vs-missoura/180155/51 "2011-05-25T21:15:01Z")
People who say “Missoura” also say “Cincinnatta” ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2011, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/missouri-vs-missoura/180155/52 "2011-05-26T01:09:45Z")
> [@fiddlesticks](#): > > I remember Peter Jennings (a Canadian!) was partial to “Missour-ah”. Are you sure he didn’t pronounce it “Missour, ehh?” ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2011, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/missouri-vs-missoura/180155/53 "2011-05-26T02:06:05Z")
> [@Turbo\_Dog](#): > > Old folks and rednecks say Missourah. They also warsh their hands. Old folks are just people that have the accent of the south. Rednecks are just stupid. When I talk to an old guy with a crewcut telling me about Missourah, I think “that’s class”. When I talk to a mullet sporting, chicken wing sucking, cornbread sopping redneck talking about Missourah, I think “what a stupid Mo Fo”. > > It also depends on where you are. In the east and north, it is generally Missouri. The further west or south you go, the more you hear Missourah. It’s an accent thing. Most people say New York, Wisconsin, Minnesota. Locals say New Yawk, Wiscawnson, Minnesootuh, doncha know, ya you betcha, oofta. I wouldn’t say that, my mother in law is from Missourah, has 2 bachelors and a masters, and is the senior nurse in an orthopedic rehab hospital. She is also a degreed librarian [nurses in California make more than librarians.] She is one of 12 children, and the family farm did not get electricity until the late 50s, and did not have indoor plumbing until that time. Country folk, yes. Redneck hick, no. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2011, 7:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/missouri-vs-missoura/180155/54 "2011-05-26T07:03:14Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > A script?! [The world is so much better since YouTube](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1KZ7s2wOyI). I’ve since pulled that video since I found another one. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuAZa00alLY](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuAZa00alLY) Also, officially on the Simpsons, Missouri and Missoura are [two different states](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XC3m3wID-MI#t=2m18s), so I wonder which other state has been left out. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2011, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/missouri-vs-missoura/180155/55 "2011-05-26T18:07:00Z")
For the same reason some people say “die-uh-bee-tees” and others say “die-uh-beet-us”. ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2011, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/missouri-vs-missoura/180155/56 "2011-05-26T18:26:38Z")
> [@Turbo\_Dog](#): > > Most people say New York, Wisconsin, Minnesota. Locals say New Yawk, Wiscawnson, Minnesootuh, doncha know, ya you betcha, oofta. Oddly, I, my wife, and the overwhelming majority of people we knew and interacted with in real life for the first 50 years of our lives were born and grew up in Upstate New York, and only hear “New Yawk” as Hollywood actors trying to imitate a Brooklyn or Bronx accent, which itself was over 300 miles from where we lived. ---
**Author:** ![Lightray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightray/32/391_2.png) [@Lightray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightray)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2011, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/missouri-vs-missoura/180155/57 "2011-05-26T20:06:06Z")
Go, go, Mizzourah zombies! ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2011, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/missouri-vs-missoura/180155/58 "2011-05-27T01:49:02Z")
> [@Turbo\_Dog](#): > > …Locals say Wiscawnson… doncha know, ya you betcha, oofta. It’s weirder than that, especially if you’re from _ **“Mi’waukee, Wisgonsin”** _. We swallow the C in WisConsin\*, and I defy you to find a native that pronounces the L – say MILL-waukee and you’re obviously a tourist. We don’t realize it until someone points it out, but it’s true. My daughter at the age of four asked when we were going to ‘Mi’waukee’, and I lamented, “Oh, no, I don’t even live there anymore but I’ve still given our daughter an accent!” \*and what’s up with people who say “WESS’-consin”? Same people who say Ill-i-NOISE’, but at least that’s a letter that’s there… where does that E come from? ---
**Author:** ![BubbaDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bubbadog/32/333_2.png) [@BubbaDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BubbaDog)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2011, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/missouri-vs-missoura/180155/59 "2011-05-27T19:35:11Z")
> [@Lightray](#): > > Go, go, Mizzourah zombies! **East Side of Stadium:** M-I-Z **West Side of Stadium:** Z-O-M-B-I-E-S ---
**Author:** ![barbitu8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/839c29/32.png) [@barbitu8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/barbitu8)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2011, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/missouri-vs-missoura/180155/60 "2011-05-27T22:47:15Z")
> [@Bradjam](#): > > Why is it that some folks (mostly senior citizens, it seems like) pronounce Missouri “Missoura” and Hawaii “Awaia”? Is there some sort of basis or reason for this? Reminds me of the time I deplaned in Hawaii. Anxious to learn how the natives pronounce their state, I asked the first guy I met (an elderly gentleman), how did he pronounce the name of his state, Hawai or Havai. He said, “Havai.” I thanked him. He replied, “You’re velcome.” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/missouri-vs-missoura/180155.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/missouri-vs-missoura/180155.md?page=4)