DELAWARE — While Pennsylvania residents are tangling with "Schuylkill" and Connecticuters are tripping over "Schedule," the good people of Delaware are struggling with a word that is ironically tied to the state's identity as a corporate hub.
DELAWARE — While Pennsylvania residents are tangling with "Schuylkill" and Connecticuters are tripping over "Schedule," the good people of Delaware are struggling with a word that is ironically tied to the state's identity as a corporate hub.According to the latest search trend data for 2025, the most misspelled word in Delaware is "Foreign."
The Data: Why "Foreign"?
In a state home to over a million business entities—many of which are legally classified as "foreign corporations" when doing business elsewhere—it is fitting that this word tops the list. However, the data suggests the struggle is linguistic, not legal.
Linguists point to the notorious "I before E" rule as the culprit.
- The Rule Breaker: We are taught "I before E, except after C." But "Foreign" is one of the weird exceptions (along with neighbor, weigh, and caffeine) where "E" comes before "I" despite there being no "C" in sight.
- The Pronunciation: The word is pronounced "for-in," leading many typists to phonetically guess "Forin" or "Forign," completely skipping the silent "e" and "g."
The Real Challenge: Delaware’s Town Names
While "Foreign" is the most misspelled dictionary word, any local will tell you that the true spelling bee boss fight in Delaware is its place names. Much like Pennsylvania, Delaware is filled with names that refuse to be sounded out phonetically.
1. Hockessin
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Pronunciation: "Hoe-kess-in"
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The Mistake: "Hock-a-sin" or spelling it Hockesin. This northern Delaware town is the ultimate litmus test for out-of-towners. If you pronounce the first syllable like "Hockey," you have already lost.
2. Lewes
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Pronunciation: "Loo-iss"
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The Mistake: "Lews" or Lewis. Named after a town in England, this beach destination looks like it should be one syllable (rhyming with "news"). In reality, it is pronounced exactly like the name "Lewis."
3. Smyrna
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Pronunciation: "Smer-nah"
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The Mistake: Smeer-na. The "y" acting as a short "e" or "u" sound throws off almost everyone who encounters it on a map for the first time.
Regional Comparison: The Tri-State Struggle
Delaware isn't alone in its spelling woes. The 2025 data paints a picture of a region struggling with the basics:
- Pennsylvania: As reported earlier, the top struggle remains "Scissors" (along with the town of Schuylkill).
- Maryland: Ironically, one of the top searched misspellings in Maryland this year was "Pennsylvania," proving that the Keystone State is difficult even for its neighbors.
- New Jersey: Residents frequently search for how to spell "February," stumbling over that silent first "r."
