
7 Hard-to-Pronounce Michigan Towns That Will Test Your Tongue
When I first moved to Michigan, I needed a Michigan city dictionary. With all of the hard-to-pronounce names, I felt like an outsider because I would always say city and town names wrong.
It seems like I am not the only one having a hard time pronouncing Michigan city and town names as well,
Reader's Digest says that there is one particular city that has the most difficult name to pronounce in all of Michigan. Let's find out if you agree.

Before you look at what Reader's Digest says is the most difficult town name in Michigan, let's look at some of the wildest-sounding town names across the state.
1. Kitch-iti-kipi = pronounced Kitch-ITI-kip-e (say that five times fast!)
2. Bete Grise = Bay-DE-Gree
3. Ontonagon = “On-TON-ogg-en”
4. Ocqueoc = “Ah-KEY-ock”
5. Onondaga = ON-on-DOG-ah
6. Dowagiac = Doe-WAH-jak
7. Bois Blanc Island = “Bob-LOW”
Now, that we have warmed you up with a few interesting town names, Reader's Digest named this the most difficult to pronounce in Michigan. Do you agree?
Sault Ste. Marie
While this is a difficult name to pronounce, as a Michigan transplant, I would have to disagree with Reader's Digest. It is not that difficult to get this town's name right, compared to others.
Reader's Digest even breaks down how to pronounce this town pretty easily.
"When you arrive in Sault St. Marie, Michigan, don’t be surprised if someone says, “Welcome to the Soo,” because that is, in fact, how the first word of this town’s name is pronounced. The second word is pronounced “Saynt” (or “saint”). The reason for the “e” at the end is the town was named for the Virgin Mary by a French missionary, and the feminine of “St.” in French is “Ste.” So, say it with us: SOO Saint Mah-REE, and leave the “salt” out of it."
To find out the other hard-to-pronounce names in each state in the country, click here.
Michigan City Nicknames
Gallery Credit: JR