The English language can be a little tricky. Words spelled one way are somehow pronounced differently. Texas has some of its own words that can be quite the tongue twisters. If you're not a native of the Lone Star State, you may need a quick tutorial. But, before long, you'll be talking like a true Texan.

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Only In Your State spotlights a few words that can sometimes be a challenge to pronounce correctly. Their list is mostly made up of Texas towns and cities, as well as a couple of other words you may have seen before.

Before we get to their 8 gems, let's look at a few that came to me while perusing their list.

How many of these are you pronouncing correctly?

Aaron Savage, Townsquare Media
Aaron Savage, Townsquare Media
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Salado

This Texas town's name is taken from the Spanish word for salty, not salad. Pronounce this one “suh-lay-doh”.


Photo: Google Maps
Google Maps
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Mexia

This city in Limestone County will trip you up if you're not careful. You might want to say "meck-see-ah" but it's actually "mah-hay-ah".

Google Maps
Google Maps
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Manchaca

Named after an army officer, this town gets me every time. It's pronounced "man-shack" not "man-shock-uh".

 

Google Maps
Google Maps
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Balmorhea

No, this is not some new type of Texas disease. It is the name of a Texas town and state park. Say “bal-more-ray”.


 

Google Maps
Google Maps
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Antilley

Street names in Texas will even give you some trouble. Saying “an-till-ee” in Abilene could get you some funny looks. Make sure you pronounce it “ant-lee”.


 

Google Maps
Google Maps
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Moran

Be careful how you say this one, especially out loud in public. This Texas town is called “mo-ran”. Whatever you do, don’t say “moron”.


 

Google Maps
Google Maps
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De Leon

This one might trip you up. It’s not “day lee-on” but “dee-lee-on”.


 

Google Maps
Google Maps
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Iraan

I’ll admit I had issues with this name at first. It’s not a misspelling of the country Iran. Say it loud and proud - “eye-rah-ann”.


 

Google Maps
Google Maps
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Judge Ely

Here’s another Abilene street name that will get you if you’re not careful. Ely is pronounced “e-lee”, not “e-lie" or "el-ee".


 

Google Maps
Google Maps
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Nacogdoches

The name of this city in Texas can be butchered in ways too numerous to mention. I’ll agree it can be a genuine tongue twister. The correct way to say it is “na-kuh-dough-chuss". Quite a mouthful, huh?


 

Google Maps
Google Maps
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Potosi

Here’s another one that’ll get you corrected by die-hard Texans. This rural area just outside of Abilene is never pronounced “pot-tiss-ee”. Instead, try saying “puh-toe-see”.


 

Google Maps
Google Maps
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Miami

There’s only one Miami that Texas calls its own, and it’s not pronounced like you think. This Texas town is “my-am-uh”.


Those are just a few off the top of my head. Now let's see the big 8 that Only In Your State came up with.

LOOK: ONLY A TRUE TEXAN CAN PRONOUNCE THESE 8 WORDS CORRECTLY

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Getty Images
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Bexar County

Right from the start, this Texas county (home of the Alamo) can be a tough one to spit out. It's like the animal, pronounced: "bear". Whatever you do, don't say "bex-are".


Google Maps
Google Maps
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Boerne

I've heard it all, everything from "burn" to "born", but actually it's neither. This city in Kendall County is actually pronounced "burn-knee".


Google Maps
Google Maps
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Bowie

Are you saying it correctly? This Texas town's name comes from Jim Bowie, a soldier in the Battle of the Alamo. Don't get it confused with "bow-wee" - it's "boo-wee".


 

Photo: Google Maps
Photo: Google Maps
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Gruene

This one has been butchered pretty badly, especially by those out of state. I can certainly see why. It's another word where the spelling can throw you off. It's pronounced just like the color, "green".


Google Maps
Google Maps
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Guadalupe

This river flows long and powerful in the state of Texas. You would never go tubing on the "Guada-loopy". No, thank you. The "Guada-loop-ay" on the other hand is a different story.


Google Maps
Google Maps
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New Braunfels

Even some Texans pronounce this city like there's an S in the middle of Braunfels. However, it's simply "Braun-fels".


 

Photo: Google Maps
Photo: Google Maps
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Waxahachie

This one can be a stumper and it might even get your tongue twisted. Many think it's "wax-uh-hatch-ee" by the way it's spelled. It's actually pronounced, "walks-uh-hatch-ee".


Aaron Savage, Townsquare Media
Aaron Savage, Townsquare Media
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Whataburger

This debate needs to be settled. Texans absolutely love their Whataburger so this one is critical. It's never been pronounced "water-burger" or "what-a-burger". Try "watt-ah-burger." Mmm, now that sounds tasty.

No bones about it. Texans are pretty picky when it comes to saying things the right way. Making a slip in front of a die-hard native will likely get you corrected, but only in a friendly Texas kind of way.

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