Arkansas is famous for its unique and often confounding place names. Even seasoned travelers and new residents stumble over these tongue-twisters. Here are 10 of the most notoriously mispronounced Arkansas places—see how many you can get right on your first try!
1. Ouachita
Correct Pronunciation: WAH-shi-tah
This name appears everywhere in Arkansas—lakes, rivers, mountains, a county, and more. Outsiders often try “O-wah-chee-tah” or “wah-ki-tah,” but locals know it’s “WAH-shi-tah.”
2. Arkansas
Correct Pronunciation: AR-kan-saw
It’s not “Ar-KAN-zas.” The state’s name is three syllables: “AR-kan-saw.” This is even written into state law!
3. Lafayette
Correct Pronunciation: luh-FAY-et
Unlike the Louisiana city (often “LAF-ee-yet” or “LAH-fee-yet”), Arkansas puts the stress on the second syllable: “luh-FAY-et.”
4. Dierks
Correct Pronunciation: dirks (or sometimes dare-icks)
This timber town’s name is often misread as “deer-ks” or “die-erks,” but locals say “dirks.”
5. DeQueen
Correct Pronunciation: duh-KWEEN or dee-KWEEN
Both are heard, but “duh-KWEEN” is most common. Don’t be tempted by “deh-kwen.”
6. Chicot
Correct Pronunciation: SHEE-koh or CHEE-koh
This county’s name is French in origin, so the “t” is silent. Most locals say “SHEE-koh,” though “CHEE-koh” is also heard.
7. Fourche
Correct Pronunciation: FUSH (rhymes with “push”)
Whether it’s Fourche Valley or Fourche La Fave River, it’s always “FUSH,” not “for-shay” or “forch.”
8. Desha
Correct Pronunciation: duh-SHAY
This southeast Arkansas county is not “de-sha” or “de-shaw.” It’s “duh-SHAY.”
9. Prescott
Correct Pronunciation: PRESS-cut
Unlike the Arizona city (“PRES-cott”), Arkansas says “PRESS-cut,” with a short “uh” in the second syllable.
10. Nevada
Correct Pronunciation: nuh-VAY-duh
Don’t say it like the state (“nuh-VAH-duh”). In Arkansas, it’s “nuh-VAY-duh.”
Honorable Mentions
- Altheimer: “ALL-tye-mer” (not “al-thee-mer”)
- Antoine: “an-TWON” (not “an-twahn”)
- Murfreesboro: “MUR-friss-boro” or “MUR-fiss-boro” (not “mur-freez-boro”)
Why Are Arkansas Place Names So Tricky?
Many Arkansas place names come from French, Native American, or unique local traditions, leading to pronunciations that defy English spelling rules. Even locals debate some of these, but if you can say all 10 correctly on your first try, you’re a true Arkansas linguist!
Sources:
- https://www.rd.com/list/difficult-to-pronounce-towns/
- https://learnlaughspeak.com/arkansas-pronunciation/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCcBHYn3pHM
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtUxKsX1ndA
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmRV5uQNn7c
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDaLdcVTYSc