Western States for Dummies - How to Pronounce Oregon and Nevada

[Las Vegas Mixx]

[Maedhros]

1. It's like this:

[LVZ]

2. not really ... both vowels are very short ... almost like organ but not quite n/t

[Maedhros]

3. Born and raised here, so I get exactly what you're saying.

But for the average east-coaster, who has heard "or-ee-GONE" their whole life, it's close enough.

But you're right - it should be correctly pronounced "OR-uh-gun".

[classof56]

6. Go Ducks!

Long-time Oregonian here, who cringes when it's pronounced wrong. I mean, really--Or-e-GONE? I do like James Cloutier's book, which I've had for ages, titled The Best of Orygun, or learning how to say "OREGON" so everyone won't think you're from New Jersey. What a kick!

Cheers

[Maedhros]

7. I have my Masters from Oregon, but Oregon State is my alma mater.

So it's "Go Beavers!" for me.

[classof56]

10. I see green and yellow and think UO,

but the orange and black are just fine, too. Marcus Mariota did the Beavs and all of Oregon mighty proud!

[Maedhros]

11. (Mariota was a Duck)

[classof56]

12. Oh, boy, am I embarrassed!

Must be the smoke that's descended upon us over here in Central Oregon. More likely, I just had one of those dreaded senior moments. Anyhow, Marcus is awesome and does all of Oregon proud!

[Maedhros]

13. He's going to do very well for the Tennessee Titans also...[n/t]

[classof56]

14. I had kinda hoped he go with Chip's Eagles.

Will cheer the Titans on, of course, and might add that not only has Marcus made Oregon proud, he's made Hawaii proud, too.

And with that I'll just say, go Ducks and Go Beavs, too. Love the Civil War game!

[LWolf]

15. I'm a platypus.

[bunnies]

4. I live on the East Coast and Ive never in my life heard "Orygone".

Nevada and Colorado though... different story.

[LVZ]

5. Really? Before Oregon started winning bowl games, it was fairly common ... see video

I have friends from the East Coast who pronounced it as Orry-Gone,

http://kidkbim.s3.amazonaws.com/kvaleagl-1358471618.10.smi.mp4

[Lydia Leftcoast]

17. In Minnesota, it was

"Orry-gahn."

[HeiressofBickworth]

8. Not to be left out

I've heard Non-PNW people pronounce my state Worshington. And most just give up trying to pronounce Puyallup and Sequim,

[LWolf]

16. "worsh"

My midwestern mom always pronounced "wash" "worsh." It drove me crazy. I guess I nagged her as a kid; she tried to correct it. For the last couple of decades, it's been "wush." She never could get WASH.

I suspect "Worshington" has similar roots.

[LVZ]

9. Source Link with Audio

http://www.gooplusplus.com/western-states-for-dummies-how-to-pronounce-oregon-and-nevada/

[Las Vegas Mixx]

18. Oregon is a French word ... like dragon and jargon

Oregon should NOT be pronounced like GREEK words polygon or hexagon.