SOUTH CAROLINIA - A state steeped in Lowcountry charm and rich history, has a linguistic landscape that can be a minefield for visitors. The names on the map—a mix of French Huguenot, English, and Native American—have been "Americanized" in a way that is truly unique to the Palmetto State.
SOUTH CAROLINIA - AYou can instantly tell a tourist from a local by the way they pronounce a few key names. While many places are tricky, the most famous and widely mispronounced place in South Carolina is undoubtedly Beaufort.
The Top Culprit: Beaufort
This beautiful, historic coastal city is the center of the ultimate Carolina pronunciation test, largely because a town with the exact same spelling exists in North Carolina, and the two are pronounced completely differently.
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The Trap: It's spelled B-E-A-U-F-O-R-T. In North Carolina, they use the English pronunciation. South Carolina, with its French Huguenot history, goes a different route.
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The Common Mispronunciation: BOW-fert (like a bow and arrow)
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The Correct Local Pronunciation: BYOO-fert (like the word "beautiful")
Locals have a simple mnemonic to help visitors: "Beaufort, North Carolina is a BOW-ing town, but Beaufort, South Carolina is a BEAUTIFUL town." Getting this one wrong is the quickest way to identify yourself as an outsider.
The True Local Test: Huger
While Beaufort is the most famous mispronounced name, the one that truly separates the locals from everyone else is Huger. This name, found on a town in Berkeley County and a prominent street in Charleston and Columbia, seems simple enough. It is not.
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The Trap: It looks like "hug" with an "er" at the end.
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The Common Mispronunciation: HUG-er (or "HYOO-ger")
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The Correct Local Pronunciation: YOO-JEE (The "H" is silent, and the "g" is soft.)
This classic Huguenot name (like General Isaac Huger of the Revolutionary War) is the ultimate South Carolina shibboleth. If you can pronounce "Huger" and "Beaufort" correctly in the same sentence, you've unlocked the local dialect.
Other Honorable (and Difficult) Mentions
If you've mastered the top two, here are a few other names that will complete your South Carolina pronunciation guide:
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Horry (County): The "H" is silent. It's "OH-ree," not "HOR-ee." (Myrtle Beach is in Horry County).
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Legare (Street): A famous street in Charleston. It's "luh-GREE," not "luh-GAHR-ay."
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Hasell (Street): Another Charleston trap. It's "HAY-zul," like the nut or the name.
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Manigault: A common Lowcountry name. It's "MAN-uh-go," with a silent "lt."
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Daufuskie (Island): This island near Hilton Head is pronounced "Duh-FUS-kee."
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Abbeville: Locals often soften this one. It's "AB-uh-vul," not
