FLORIDA - Florida may be America’s top tourist destination, but it's also a linguistic minefield. The state’s map is a complex tapestry of Native American (Seminole and Muscogee), Spanish, and repurposed English names that seem designed to trip up visitors. If you’re in line for a theme park and want to blend in, you’d better get the local names right. While many towns are tricky, one stands out as the undisputed champion of tourist mispronunciations.
The Winner: Kissimmee
Correct Pronunciation: Kuh-SIM-ee
If you are a tourist, you see the first four letters and your brain says, "Oh, that's easy. It's Kiss-me." You say this at a rental car counter, and the agent will give you a polite, weary smile.
In reality, this Osceola County city, a gateway to the theme parks, has nothing to do with kissing. The name, of Ais Indian origin, is pronounced Kuh-SIM-ee, with a sharp, clear emphasis on the second syllable. It's the most common and immediate way to tell a local from a tourist.
The Runner-Up: Ocoee
Correct Pronunciation: Oh-KOH-ee
This town in Orange County looks simple, but its pronunciation is a classic "emphasis" trap. Most first-timers see it and say OH-ko-ee, putting the stress on the first syllable as if they're calling out to someone.
The correct way to say it is Oh-KOH-ee, with a long 'o' and all the emphasis placed firmly on the middle syllable. This one is so frequently botched that Floridians often cite it as the state's most mispronounced name.
The "Alphabet Soup" Hall of Fame
Florida’s map is filled with names that look like a handful of Scrabble tiles. Here are a few that regularly baffle newcomers.
1. Thonotosassa
Correct Pronunciation: Tho-no-tah-SASS-uh. This one is a mouthful, and even locals can stumble. It’s a Creek word meaning "flint is here." The trick is to find the right syllable to stress. It's not Tho-NO-to-sassa; it's all about that "SASS" in the middle.
2. Apalachicola
Correct Pronunciation: App-uh-latch-ih-KO-luh. This panhandle city looks intimidating, but it’s actually easier than it seems. People want to rhyme it with "Coca-Cola" or get tangled in the "latch." The best way to say it is to think of the word "Appalachian" and add "cola" to the end.
3. Immokalee
Correct Pronunciation: Ih-MOCK-uh-lee The spelling suggests Im-O-kuh-lee, but the 'o' is a lie. This Collier County town’s name is a Seminole word, and the correct pronunciation puts a hard "MOCK" sound right in the middle.
The "Not How It Looks" Section
Finally, there are the towns that use familiar words in unfamiliar ways.
- Dunedin: It is not Doon-din or Dun-eh-din. It is Duh-NEE-din, named after Edinburgh, the Scottish city.
- Micanopy: It is not My-can-oh-py. It is Mik-uh-NO-pee, with the stress on the "NO."
- Boca Raton: It is not Boca-ra-TUN. It is Boca Ra-TONE. The "tone" is sharp and clear.
The Verdict: Moving from the chilly Northeast to sunny Florida? You're swapping out silent 'w's and 'r's for a whole new set of rules. The names are a mix of Spanish and Native American terms that demand you pay attention to emphasis and vowel sounds.
So, when you book your trip, remember: You are not going to "Kiss-me." You are going to Kuh-SIM-ee.
