There are certain words that only New Jerseyans can pronounce and other words that we pronounce correctly – everyone else has it wrong. While this article is meant to be all in good fun, I stand by the Garden State pronunciations of these words. NJ all day!
- Coffee
Jen/Flickr It’s pronounced caw-fee. Do people actually say cah-fee? Yes, yes they do. But they’re wrong.
- Talk
Moiggi Interactive/Flickr This is pronounced tawk. It is NOT pronounced taak, as certain dictionaries would suggest.
- City
Wilhelm Joys Andersen/Flickr Usually used when referring to New York or Philadelphia. This is pronounced ciddy. It feels strange enunciating the word. Si-tee? Tee? What new language is this?
- Chocolate
jshj/Flickr You can find some of the best chalk-lit at Rauhauser’s Candies in Ocean City, Aunt Charlotte’s Candies in Merchantville, Bromilow’s Chocolates in Woodland Park, and Hanna Krause in Paramus. We do not sell cha-cuh-lut in New Jersey.
- Did you eat?
d’jeeet/Facebook We say d’jeet. There’s even a restaurant with the name, located in Shrewsbury. They offer fresh, delicious dishes. Check them out!
- Soda
Mike Mozart/Flickr Sow-duh. It’s not pop, and it’s certainly not called “coke” unless it’s actually Coca Cola.
- Pizza
Aaron Harmon/Flickr This is a pie - plain or cheese. If you want pie out-of-state, locals with think you’re craving something sweet. Side note: pizza is better in New Jersey.
- New Jersey
Peter Miller/Flickr People jokingly call our state Joisey. I’m pretty sure they do this just to annoy us. The way we pronounce Jersey is “home.”
Of course, there are language differences across the Garden State. There are words in North Jersey that don’t exist in South Jersey and vice versa. Pronunciations also vary. Let us know how you say “chocolate” and “talk” in the comments! Also let us know what words you would add to this list.
Jen/Flickr
It’s pronounced caw-fee. Do people actually say cah-fee? Yes, yes they do. But they’re wrong.
Moiggi Interactive/Flickr
This is pronounced tawk. It is NOT pronounced taak, as certain dictionaries would suggest.
Wilhelm Joys Andersen/Flickr
Usually used when referring to New York or Philadelphia. This is pronounced ciddy. It feels strange enunciating the word. Si-tee? Tee? What new language is this?
jshj/Flickr
You can find some of the best chalk-lit at Rauhauser’s Candies in Ocean City, Aunt Charlotte’s Candies in Merchantville, Bromilow’s Chocolates in Woodland Park, and Hanna Krause in Paramus. We do not sell cha-cuh-lut in New Jersey.
d’jeeet/Facebook
We say d’jeet. There’s even a restaurant with the name, located in Shrewsbury. They offer fresh, delicious dishes. Check them out!
Mike Mozart/Flickr
Sow-duh. It’s not pop, and it’s certainly not called “coke” unless it’s actually Coca Cola.
Aaron Harmon/Flickr
This is a pie - plain or cheese. If you want pie out-of-state, locals with think you’re craving something sweet. Side note: pizza is better in New Jersey.
Peter Miller/Flickr
People jokingly call our state Joisey. I’m pretty sure they do this just to annoy us. The way we pronounce Jersey is “home.”
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