Nebraska’s Most Mispronounced Word? You Might Be Saying It Wrong
Ever had that awkward moment when you say a word and someone corrects you? Turns out, Nebraskans have one word that trips us up more than any other: Bolognese. Yep, that rich Italian pasta sauce. Most of us say “bo-lo-NEEZ,” but the correct way is boh-luh-NAYZ.
So next time you’re ordering pasta, you’ll sound like a pro.
What About Our Neighbors in Iowa?
Iowa’s most mispronounced word is Dachshund—that adorable little dog breed. Most people say “dash-hound,” but the right way is DAKS-hund. If you’ve been saying it wrong, you’re not alone.
America’s Top Mispronounced Words
Google search data shows we’re all struggling with pronunciation. Here are the words Americans looked up the most in 2025:
- Gyro – YEE-roh
- Worcestershire sauce – WUSS-ter-sheer
- Acai – ah-SIGH-ee
- Qatar – KAH-tar
- Dachshund – DAKS-hund
(Feeling better? You’re not alone.)
Why Do We Mess This Up?
English spelling is tricky. It only matches pronunciation about 75% of the time. Add in pop culture names, foreign words, and regional accents, and it’s no wonder we’re Googling pronunciations. Over 60% of English speakers admit they mispronounce common words regularly.