NEW JERSEY - New Jersey is a state full of unique town names, from those with deep Lenape roots to others named by European settlers. For outsiders, navigating the state's map can be a verbal minefield. You can often spot a tourist or a newcomer simply by how they pronounce a town's name—it's the unofficial New Jersey shibboleth.
NEW JERSEY - New Jersey is a state full of unique town names, from those with deep Lenape roots to others named by European settlers. For outsiders, navigating the state's map can be a verbal minefield. You can often spot a tourist or a newcomer simply by how they pronounce a town's name—it's the unofficial New Jersey shibboleth.While there's no official contest, a few notorious names consistently rise to the top of the "most butchered" list.
The Top Contenders for the Crown
It's a fierce competition, but if you ask locals which names make them cringe most often, you'll likely hear these three.
1. Secaucus
This is perhaps the most common "Welcome to New Jersey" mistake, thanks to its central train station and its prominence on the New Jersey Turnpike.
- The Mispronunciation: SEE-kaw-kus (like you're going to a "sea-caucus").
- The Correct Pronunciation: seh-KAW-kus (The emphasis is on the middle syllable, "KAW").
2. Kearny
Located in West Hudson, this town's spelling is a classic trap, setting up non-locals for a pronunciation that's way off.
- The Mispronunciation: KEER-nee (rhymes with "eerie").
- The Correct Pronunciation: KAR-nee (rhymes with "barney").
3. Buena
This is an actual test of local knowledge. In Spanish, this word means "good" and is pronounced "BWEY-na." In South Jersey, however, it's a different story.
- The Mispronunciation: BWEY-na.
- The Correct Pronunciation: BYOO-na (like the "Bu" in "beautiful").
The "You're Not from Around Here" Honorable Mentions
If you can get these right, you're well on your way to sounding like a local.
- Ho-Ho-Kus: The trick is the emphasis. It's not HO-ho-kus, it's ho-HO-kus.
- Manalapan: The stress is in the middle. It's ma-NAL-a-pan, not ma-na-LA-pan.
- Manasquan: This one looks intimidating. Locals make it flow: mana-SKWAN.
- Avon-by-the-Sea: It's not the makeup brand. It's A-von (long 'A' sound), not AV-on.
- Shrewsbury: Just like its Massachusetts counterpart, the "Shrew" is misleading. It's pronounced SHROOS-bury.
- Montague: It's not the Shakespearean character. It's MON-ta-gyoo.
- Wanaque: Another Lenape name; pronounced WAH-na-kyoo.
So, if you stumble over "Secaucus" on your first try, don't worry. Every New Jersey resident had to learn them at some point, too—and correcting newcomers is a cherished local pastime.
