Why is Arkansas pronounced Arkansaw?

So why do we pronounce them differently? We can thank the French. Arkansas was named for the French plural of a Native American tribe, while Kansas is the English spelling of a similar one. Since the letter "s" at the end of French words is usually silent, we pronounce Bill Clinton's home state "Arkansaw."

Do you say Arkansas or Arkansaw?

Well, Susy, the short answer is it's the law that Arkansas is pronounced ar-can-saw. Seriously. There's a state law designating the official pronunciation of the state's name, but more on that later.

Can you say Arkansas wrong in Arkansas?

It's strictly prohibited to pronounce “Arkansas” incorrectly

However, because it is derived from the same native origin and looks very much like the name of nearby Kansas, Arkansas is one of the most commonly-mispronounced state names in the country.

Why are Kansas and Arkansas said differently?

The English used the word Kansas. But Arkansas originated with the French. And for this reason, they didn't pronounce the words similarly. The linguistic differences between the two European languages are far too distinct.

Did Arkansas used to be spelled Arkansaw?

In 1881, the state's General Assembly passed resolution 1-4-105 declaring that the state's name should be spelled “Arkansas” but pronounced “Arkansaw”.

Why Arkansas is Pronounced Differently

Why aren't Kansas and Arkansas pronounced the same?

So why do we pronounce them differently? We can thank the French. Arkansas was named for the French plural of a Native American tribe, while Kansas is the English spelling of a similar one. Since the letter "s" at the end of French words is usually silent, we pronounce Bill Clinton's home state "Arkansaw."

What happens if you pronounce Arkansas wrong?

And there are no repercussions for their misbehavior. There's no penalty.

Why is Illinois pronounced without the s?

Illinois. The common pronunciation of the state of Illinois ends with \NOY\, but you might hear a pronunciation ending in \z\, similar to that in noise, especially in southern areas of the U.S. The word is French-based so the French pronunciation \ill-i-NOY\ makes less noise.

Why is it pronounced Colonel?

“Colonel” came to English from the mid-16th-century French word coronelle, meaning commander of a regiment, or column, of soldiers. By the mid-17th century, the spelling and French pronunciation had changed to colonnel. The English spelling also changed, and the pronunciation was shortened to two syllables.

Can you legally beat your wife in Arkansas?

Men can beat their wives, but only once per month in Arkansas.

Is it illegal to flirt in Arkansas?

Smoking is prohibited in all public places and enclosed areas within places of employment, says the Arkansas law books. 5. Men and women may not flirt with each other on the streets of Little Rock. No flirting, no problem.

What's the weirdest law in Arkansas?

Why is it called Kansas?

KANSAS: Named for the Kansas or Kanza tribe of the Sioux family that lived along a river in the area and gave it the tribal name. The name translates as "south wind people," or "wind people." KENTUCKY: Origin and meaning controversial.

Why is GIF pronounced JIF?

The creator of the GIF image format, Steve Wilhite of CompuServe, when deciding on the pronunciation, said he deliberately chose to echo the American peanut butter brand, Jif, and CompuServe employees would often say “Choosy developers choose GIF(jif)”, playing off of Jif's television commercials.

Why do Americans say zee?

Others argue that zee follows the rhyme pattern of the “Alphabet Song” — copyrighted in Boston in 1835 — making the song, and the alphabet, easier to learn. Zee became the American standard.

Is s silent in Louis?

Over in France, Louis is pronounced Lou-EE. The American way: Lou-ISS. According to People, the “s” in His Royal Highness Prince Louis of Cambridge's royal baby name is silent, and we should all be saying his name the French way.

What is the most mispronounced state in the US?

It's surprising that Nevada is the most mispronounced state, as it seems so easy when you look at the spelling. However, according to The New York Times, many people—including some politicians on the campaign trail—have incorrectly said this state's name.

What crazy laws are still on the books?

How do you pronounce Miami Oklahoma?

As one of the most mispronounced words from outsiders, the town of Miami, Oklahoma, is not pronounced like Miami, Florida. If you're still saying it like the city in Florida, here's how it's pronounced in the Sooner State - "My-AM-uh".