22 fascinating maps that show how Americans speak English differently across the US

The pronunciation of "caramel" starts disregarding vowels once you go west of the Ohio River.

Residents farther north have an oddly Canadian way of pronouncing "been."

For whatever reason, it's a "boo-wie" knife in Texas and D.C.*

UPDATE: Enthusiastic Marylanders have alerted us that there is indeed a town in Maryland called Bowie and pronounced "Boo-wie." That solves that. No word yet from Texans.

UPDATE 2: From a Texan: "It's pronounced Boo-wie because it's named after Jim Bowie (pronounced Boo-wie), who played a major role in the Texas revolution. That explains why we're the only ones who pronounce it correctly."

For whatever reason, it's a "boo-wie" knife in Texas and D.C.*

UPDATE: Enthusiastic Marylanders have alerted us that there is indeed a town in Maryland called Bowie and pronounced "Boo-wie." That solves that. No word yet from Texans.

UPDATE 2: From a Texan: "It's pronounced Boo-wie because it's named after Jim Bowie (pronounced Boo-wie), who played a major role in the Texas revolution. That explains why we're the only ones who pronounce it correctly."

Americans can't even agree on how to pronounce crayon.

The South is the only place where you'll try to call your "law-yer" instead of your "loyer."

The South is also really into slaw. The North and West call it coleslaw.

Addressing a group of people is the deepest and most obvious linguistic divide in America. It's also an example of how people in southern Florida pronounce things in the northern US style.

We are a nation divided over mayonnaise.

Some of the deepest schisms in America are over the pronunciation of the second syllable of "pajamas."

Everyone pronounces "pecan pie" differently.

The Midwest calls carbonated soft drinks "pop," the Northeast and the West Coast call them "soda," and the South is really into brand loyalty.

Tiny lobsters are tearing this country apart.

So are traffic circles.

People in the Northeast Corridor put "sear-up" on their pancakes.

Philadelphia is just making it up as it goes along.

Let's ignore the East Coast/West Coast split and notice that Wisconsin and Rhode Island call a water fountain a "bubbler."

Let's ignore the East Coast/West Coast split and notice that Wisconsin and Rhode Island call a water fountain a "bubbler."

The Northeast (along with South Florida) puts on sneakers. Everyone else finds a pair of tennis shoes.

The West Coast is really into its freeways.

Seriously? Alabama and Mississippi: That is terrible.

Most of America realizes that New York really is "the City."

These exist?!

Massachusetts, Long Island, and Jersey in particular hear a difference between Merry, Mary, and marry.

22 fascinating maps that show how Americans speak English differently across the US

The pronunciation of "caramel" starts disregarding vowels once you go west of the Ohio River.

The pronunciation of "caramel" starts disregarding vowels once you go west of the Ohio River.

Residents farther north have an oddly Canadian way of pronouncing "been."

Residents farther north have an oddly Canadian way of pronouncing "been."

For whatever reason, it's a "boo-wie" knife in Texas and D.C.*

For whatever reason, it's a "boo-wie" knife in Texas and D.C.*

Americans can't even agree on how to pronounce crayon.

Americans can't even agree on how to pronounce crayon.

The South is the only place where you'll try to call your "law-yer" instead of your "loyer."

The South is the only place where you'll try to call your "law-yer" instead of your "loyer."

The South is also really into slaw. The North and West call it coleslaw.

The South is also really into slaw. The North and West call it coleslaw.

Addressing a group of people is the deepest and most obvious linguistic divide in America. It's also an example of how people in southern Florida pronounce things in the northern US style.

Addressing a group of people is the deepest and most obvious linguistic divide in America. It's also an example of how people in southern Florida pronounce things in the northern US style.

We are a nation divided over mayonnaise.

We are a nation divided over mayonnaise.

Some of the deepest schisms in America are over the pronunciation of the second syllable of "pajamas."

Some of the deepest schisms in America are over the pronunciation of the second syllable of "pajamas."

Everyone pronounces "pecan pie" differently.

Everyone pronounces "pecan pie" differently.

The Midwest calls carbonated soft drinks "pop," the Northeast and the West Coast call them "soda," and the South is really into brand loyalty.

The Midwest calls carbonated soft drinks "pop," the Northeast and the West Coast call them "soda," and the South is really into brand loyalty.

Tiny lobsters are tearing this country apart.

Tiny lobsters are tearing this country apart.

So are traffic circles.

So are traffic circles.

People in the Northeast Corridor put "sear-up" on their pancakes.

People in the Northeast Corridor put "sear-up" on their pancakes.

Philadelphia is just making it up as it goes along.

Philadelphia is just making it up as it goes along.

Let's ignore the East Coast/West Coast split and notice that Wisconsin and Rhode Island call a water fountain a "bubbler."

Let's ignore the East Coast/West Coast split and notice that Wisconsin and Rhode Island call a water fountain a "bubbler."

The Northeast (along with South Florida) puts on sneakers. Everyone else finds a pair of tennis shoes.

The Northeast (along with South Florida) puts on sneakers. Everyone else finds a pair of tennis shoes.

The West Coast is really into its freeways.

The West Coast is really into its freeways.

Seriously? Alabama and Mississippi: That is terrible.

Seriously? Alabama and Mississippi: That is terrible.

Most of America realizes that New York really is "the City."

Most of America realizes that New York really is "the City."

These exist?!

These exist?!

Massachusetts, Long Island, and Jersey in particular hear a difference between Merry, Mary, and marry.

Massachusetts, Long Island, and Jersey in particular hear a difference between Merry, Mary, and marry.

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