Louisiana’s Absolute Hardest Words to Pronounce

Lafayette, La (KMDL) - Here in Louisiana, we have our unique vocabulary.

With the enormous influence of French, Acadian, Spanish, Native American, and African cultures, Louisiana has words that you can only pronounce right if you're from here.

When out-of-town reporters come to Acadiana and South Louisiana to cover major weather events, we see and hear the butchering of certain words in real time.

Honestly, I don't ever blame them for it because talking in Louisiana can be hazardous.

Let's take a look at some of the absolute hardest words in Louisiana to pronounce.

Louisiana's Absolute Hardest Words to Pronounce

Not only are these Louisiana words hard to pronounce, they're equally as tough to spell.

With the many cultural influences in Louisiana, speaking in Louisiana is literally speaking different languages, but it's all Louisiana.

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Let's look at some of the absolute toughest words in Louisiana to pronounce...

1. Tchefuncte River - pronounced "chuh-FUNK-tah".

Tchefuncte is a Choctaw word for the plant chinquapin which was used as a pain reliever for headaches and to help break fever.

2. Natchitoches - Pronounced "NACK-o-dish" or "NACK-o-tish".

Natchitoches, Louisiana is the State's oldest city, established in 1714 as part of French Louisiana, the city is named after the original indigenous Natchitoches people.

3. Courtbouillon - Pronounced "Coo-bee-yon" or "Coo-be-yaw".

Courtbouillon is a way of cooking in Louisiana, and it's basically a fish stew usually cooked with redfish or catfish.

4. Atchafalaya - Pronounced "Uh-chaf-uh-lie-ya" or "Ah-chaf-uh-lie-ya".

The Atchafalaya Basin is the largest river swamp in America. Atchafalaya is another Choctaw word meaning "Long River".

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5. Tony Chachere's - Pronounced  "Sash-ah-Reeze".

In Acadiana, we usually just call this beloved Cajun seasoning "Tony's". We know how to pronounce it, but if you're not from here, this one will give you fits trying to say it right.

Make sure you watch this Tony's commercial until the very end to witness just how bad this pronunciation can get.

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6. Hollier - Pronounced "Ole-yay".

The last name Hollier is a French and English name, meaning "adulterer fornicator; brothel keeper" according to ancestry.com.

If your last name is Hollier, don't worry about that unflattering meaning, we love you.

7. Tchoupitoulas - Pronounced "Chop-uh-two-lus".

Tchoupitoulas is yet another Choctaw word meaning "those who live by the river".

Obviously we all know the famous Tchoupitoulas Street in New Orleans, Louisiana, but if you're a tourist you'll have no clue how this is actually pronounced.

8. Choupique - Pronounced "Shoe-pick".

Choupique is the Cajun-French name for a bowfin fish