DELAWARE - For a small state, Delaware is packed with linguistic landmines. Its map is a mix of English names, Native American words, and spellings that seem to defy their own logic. While places like Smyrna and Lewes are common stumbling blocks, one town holds the undisputed title for the most mispronounced place in the First State: Newark.
The Winner: Newark (It's Not New Jersey)
The confusion is understandable. The most famous "Newark" in the country is the state's largest city. But if you use that pronunciation in Delaware, you'll be corrected immediately.
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How Locals Say It: New-ARK (two distinct, stressed syllables)
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How Outsiders Say It: NEW-erk (like the New Jersey city)
The local pronunciation is a point of pride and the number one way to tell a visitor from a resident. The city, home to the University of Delaware, has a different etymology than its New Jersey namesake. While the exact origin is debated, the "New-ARK" pronunciation is the only one you'll hear from a Delawarean
The Runner-Up: Lewes (It's Not What It Looks Like)
The "First Town in the First State" is the second-biggest trap for visitors. Looking at the spelling, most people want to pronounce it as a single syllable.
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How Locals Say It: LEW-iss (just like the name "Lewis")
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How Outsiders Say It: Loos (rhymes with "goose")
William Penn named the town after the town of Lewes in Sussex, England, which is also pronounced "Lew-iss."
Honorable Mentions: A Guide to Sounding Like a Delawarean
Mastered the top two? Here are a few more names that trip up newcomers.
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Smyrna: This town in Kent County is often pronounced very differently.
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Local: SMERN-a (rhymes with "fern")
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Outsider: Smeer-na or Suh-MEER-na
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Houston: This is not Texas. The name, which honors politician John W. Houston, is pronounced completely differently.
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Local: HOW-ston (like "house")
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Outsider: HEW-ston
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Hockessin: This New Castle County community has a tricky "Ho" at the beginning.
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Local: HO-kess-in
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Outsider: HOCK-ess-in
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Leipsic: A tiny fishing village that looks German but doesn't sound it.
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Local: LIP-sick
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Outsider: LIPE-sick
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