Related: 4-Ingredient Pecan Pie Cheesecake Is a No-Bake Thanksgiving Dessert to Be Thankful For, As it turns out, neither is technically correct nor incorrect, but there may be some preferences for “puh-kahn.” Kristen Millican of Millican Pecan advises, “‘Pecan,’ which is a symbol for states such as Texas, Oklahoma, Georgia, New Mexico can be correctly pronounced as ‘pa-kawn. 150 of the Best Holly Jolly Christmas Jokes Guaranteed to Spread Holiday Cheer, Better Not Cry, Better Not Pout! © 2020 Journal Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved. How to say pecans in English? It varies from town to town, or even within families. Dialect map of the word “pecan” by Joshua Katz: To make the debate stickier than the Karo Syrup in your pecan pie, some people claim the pronunciation of the word pecan depends on how you’re using it. The answers to simple linguistic questions like these can pinpoint where in America you live. Can You Solve This Coin Probability Problem? Find information on exactly where our food comes from, along with delicious recipes, helpful tips and reliable data. The closest of the modern pronunciations would be pick-AHN with its first syllable schwa and second syllable stress. Even so, there’s a lot of variation within the map regions. Many think how we pronounce the nut in question is determined by the Mason-Dixon Line. Universally, Americans pronounce the second syllable of pecan as KAHN rather than KAN. Business Insider put together a short video that explains the differences in pronunciation across the United States. Refresh your page, login and try again. Turns out, it depends on where you’re from. Take a look at these maps, and learn if you pronounce mayonnaise like the masses, which syllable gets the emphasis in Thanksgiving, or if you’re the odd one out who says something not even provided as an option. Dialect map of the word “pecan” by Joshua Katz. Merriam-Webster has audio pronunciations of “pih-kahn,” “pee-can” and “pee-kahn.” The Cambridge Dictionary, however, only has “puh-cahn.”. No portion of this website may be reproduced in whole or in part without written consent. Pecan is a tough nut to crack. The Harvard Dialect Survey found that the three-syllable pronunciation (car-a-mel) is dominant all along the east coast of the United States, from Maine to Florida and extending into the south, through Atlanta, Mississippi, Louisiana, and parts of Texas. That's what you're most likely to hear in Louisiana and along the Gulf Coast. Well, that may surprise you. How Do You Say Pecan? Thanks for signing up! What Is Día de Los Reyes (Three Kings' Day)? We found this research fascinating, so we’ve compiled a few of these dialect maps related to food. Dialect map of the word “pecan” by Joshua Katz. https://bit.ly/2DMe2S8 Tips. It looks as though you’ve already said that. We did, however, know that The Great Soda/Pop/Coke/Soft Drink Debate will never be resolved. The linguistics department at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee just also shared a pecan pronunciation map that gives another option – where people may say pee-KAHN by itself, but then say PEE-can when using a compound word, like pecan pie. Please check your email to confirm your subscription. Some say "pecan" is … See More: How Field’s Pies Became a Pecan Pie Powerhouse. Not so fast. Listen to the audio pronunciation in the Cambridge English Dictionary. We don't have full-fledged polling data to back it up, but we did ask the Southern Living office, and pronunciations here are rather varied. Recipes. Refresh your page, login and try again. "Pecan" as a word has crossed a lot of international waters, but is rooted in American Indian tradition. Learn more. Your use of this website constitutes and manifests your acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy, Cookie Notification, and awareness of the California Privacy Rights. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Inspiration. Your account was created. The linguistics department at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee just also shared a pecan pronunciation map that gives another option – where people may say pee-KAHN by itself, but then say PEE-can when using a compound word, like pecan pie. The Correct Way to Pronounce 'Pecan,' According to a Country Singer The Georgia Pecan Growers Association and singer Lauren Alaina offer … How Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande and Billie Eilish Ended Up in Shonda Rhimes’ New 1800s Period Series, 50 Best Christmas Instagram Captions for Fun Holiday Vibes (Yes, Even in #2020), 15 Virtual Christmas Games to Keep You Merry While Social Distancing, Speaking American: How Y’all, Youse, and You Guys Talk, 4-Ingredient Pecan Pie Cheesecake Is a No-Bake Thanksgiving Dessert to Be Thankful For, Add Variety to the Thanksgiving Dessert Table With a 4-Flavor Slab Pecan Pie. Katz gave us permission to publish some of the coolest maps from his collection. Slow down. Joshua Katz, a doctoral student studying statistics at NC State University, recently created interactive dialect maps using data from Bert Vaux at the University of Cambridge. And How Do You Celebrate It? “Pecan” pronunciation isn’t necessarily a regional difference This map would make one think that only people in the Northeast say “pee-can,” while … 50 Fun Christmas Trivia Questions (with Answers) for Family Gatherings, How Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande and Billie Eilish Ended Up in Shonda Rhimes' New 1800s Period Series, Make Your Virtual Holiday Gatherings Festive with These Zoom Backgrounds, Buddy the Elf's Spaghetti and Meatballs and 24 More Recipes Inspired by Christmas Movies, 21 Inspiring, Uplifting Movies You Can Watch on Netflix Right Now For a Hopeful New Year. Uh-oh! Farm Flavor profiles America's hardworking farmers and ranchers who produce our food, fuel and fiber, connecting consumers to the country's vital agriculture industry. How Field’s Pies Became a Pecan Pie Powerhouse. Get ’Em Here! But this is the pecan map: It's not a North-South split, but rather looks to have something to do with the Appalachian Mountains. The origins of “pecan” stem from the Algonquin language, which had several pronunciations but essentially all being variations of “puh-kahn.” The differences in the syllabic emphasis come mainly from differences in which Europeans settled in certain areas: In traditional British English, most emphasis is on the first syllable, while in French, most words emphasize the second. Even so, there's a lot of variation within the map regions. Learn more. The other is "prah-lean." Of course, our native way of pronouncing the word is the correct one. ), Your email address will not be published. Still, he has no horse in the race, telling Reader’s Digest, “Any and all pronunciations are welcome as long as the pecans are being eaten!”. Dialect map of the word “pecan” by Joshua Katz. Then, leave us a comment to let us know how you say pecan. check out this apple, cranberry, and pecan salad recipe that will steal the show this Thanksgiving! Ad Choices. Copyright law, as well as other applicable federal and state laws, the content on this website may not be reproduced, distributed, displayed, transmitted, cached, or otherwise used, without the prior, express, and written permission of Athlon Media Group. We've Got Tons of Info to Help You Decide. Recipe:Pecan PralinesBe sure to use a heavy Dutch oven and a candy thermometer, and make pralines on a day when the weather is dry—humidity can make them grainy. A few years ago, the folks over at Business Insider profiled a group of maps made by Joshua Katz, created with data from Professors Bert Vaux's and Scott Golder's 2RPJL, which examined the way Americans from all over pronounce different words. Empty comment. By creating an account, you accept the terms and Whoops! Dialect map of the word “pecan” by Joshua Katz: To make the debate stickier than the Karo Syrup in your pecan pie, some people claim the pronunciation of the word pecan depends on how you’re using it. So, for example, someone in Atlanta may say “pee-can” while someone from rural Georgia would pronounce it as “puh-kahn.”. This map would make one think that only people in the Northeast say “pee-can,” while the South is largely “puh-kahn.” Many people believe that north of the Mason-Dixon Line it’s “pee-can” and down in Dixieland it’s “puh-kahn,” but that’s actually not true. Home > Lifestyle > Food For Thought > How Do You Say Pecan? ... That's a favorite pronunciation in Georgia and surrounding states. A poll conducted by the National Pecan Shellers Association asked … To make the debate stickier than the Karo Syrup in your pecan pie, some people claim the pronunciation of the word pecan depends on how you’re using it. Many focus on pronunciation — most people pronounce "pecan" as pee-KAHN, except for those in the northeast who say PEE-can, for example. Incorrect email or username/password combination. I have seen dialect maps of America that claim that there are less than a dozen accents and/or dialects in all of America, but if you really, really listen, there are a whole lot more than that. Pursuant to U.S. The word pecan originated and was in frequent use in this same region. Do you pronounce the rounded vowels of puh-KAHN or the smiling annunciation of PEE-can? The National Pecan Shellers Association conducted a survey (via The Washington Post) that found 45 percent of Southerners, as well as 70 percent of Northeast respondents, pronounced “pecan” as “pee-can.” Further, in author Josh Katz’s book Speaking American: How Y’all, Youse, and You Guys Talk, he found that the difference in pecan pronunciation wasn’t so much regional as it was urban (“pee-can”) versus rural (“puh-kahn” or “pih-kahn”). Dialect map of the word “pecan” by Joshua Katz. And, though survey results on the topic have varied vastly, the National Pecan Shellers Association found that “PEE-can” was the preferred pronunciation … 1 2. (For the record, my parents are from Texas and Oklahoma, so I stand firmly with pick-AHN. Pronunciation of pecan. We found this research fascinating, so we’ve compiled a few of these dialect maps related to food. conditions of our, Your use of this website constitutes and manifests your acceptance Which is the correct pecan pronunciation? Dialect map of the word “pecan” | Josh Katz. Celebrity interviews, recipes and health tips delivered to your inbox. It looks as though you’ve already said that. Mapping Food Dialect Trends Across the U.S. See this nut? Now, this isn't scientific. How to use pecan in a sentence. You are posting comments too quickly. Next, check out this apple, cranberry, and pecan salad recipe that will steal the show this Thanksgiving! The 26 Best Online Games to Play With Friends While Social Distancing, Gone, But Not Forgotten: Remembering the Celebrities We Lost in 2020. There was an error in your submission. Jeffrey wrote in after he noticed that I pronounced “caramel” as “car-muhl” a few weeks ago, and that sounded wrong to him. The great pecan pronunciation debate continues. Whoops! How do YOU say pecan? Your email address will not be published. « Back But getting pecan growers and shellers from Alabama and Georgia to agree on how the differing pronunciations came about is a tough nut to crack. It isn't entirely clear what group of Native Americans first came up with the word for this nut. '”, Dictionary.com and Google only have audio pronunciations of “pih-kahn,” though it does list “pee-can” as a pronunciation in text. Turns out, this humble nut's roots stretch all the way back to before the Declaration of Independence. To make the debate stickier than the Karo Syrup in your pecan pie, some people claim the pronunciation of the word pecan depends on how you’re using it. My pronunciation does not even feature on the map and the only contentious part of the discussion is whether to extend the first syllable. We had no idea that some people never refer to coleslaw as simply “slaw,” if other people also use “caramel” and “carmel” interchangeably, or if there really is a difference between frosting and icing. PEE-can is popular on the East Coast and in New England, while folks from Wisconsin, northern Minnesota and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula go with PEE-kahn. An email has been sent to you. Pecan definition is - a large hickory (Carya illinoinensis synonym C. illinoensis) that has roughish bark and hard but brittle wood and is widely grown in the warmer parts of the U.S. and in Mexico for its edible nut. Listen to the audio pronunciation in English. How to pronounce pecan. Slow down. You seem to be logged out. But this is the pecan map: It’s not a North-South split, but rather looks to have something to do with the Appalachian Mountains. Sorry, comments are currently closed. The pronunciation of "caramel" starts disregarding vowels once you go west of the Ohio River. How to say pecan. To make the debate stickier than the Karo Syrup in your pecan pie, some people claim the pronunciation of the word pecan depends on how you’re using it. Please pronounce the way you say it. How to say pecan. Pronunciation of pecan with 2 audio pronunciations, 5 synonyms, 1 meaning, 11 translations, 20 sentences and more for pecan. We’ve posted about how pecans are grown, their nutritional benefits and our favorite pecan recipes, but we’ve never really discussed a popular topic of debate: Are they pee-KAHNs, pee-CANs, PEE-cans, pick-AHNs or some other pronunciation? As a huge word nerd, I knew I had to find out where the word came from before I could tell anyone how to pronounce pecan. Part of the problem with the word pecan has to do with the way it came into the English language. To make the debate stickier than the Karo Syrup in your pecan pie, some people claim the pronunciation of the word pecan depends on how you’re using it. @Matt McIrvin: I made a simple map of those results upthread, which got caught in the spam filter for a bit – though on further investigation, a GIS for “pecan pronunciation map” will also yield a map from Katz that incorporates smoothed sub-state-level data. Which pecan camp are you in? Sorry, comments are currently closed. For example, check out the map showing how people pronounce “pecan”: It shows that pee-KAHN is dominant nationwide, but in areas of Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Mississippi, pick-AHN reigns supreme. How to say pecan in English? 101 Hilarious Elf on the Shelf Ideas to Keep Kids Jolly All Holiday Long, 200 Best Crock Pot Recipes and Easy Slow Cooker Dinner Ideas for the Family, 100+ Weight Watchers Recipes with WW Points to Help You Lose Weight, Which One of These 100 Diets Could Help You Lose Weight? You are posting comments too quickly. A survey of more than 30,000 people, turned into a series of maps, showcase the linguistic quirks that make American English such a fascinating dialect. Manage your GDPR consents by clicking here. Mapping Food Dialect Trends Across the U.S. Related: Add Variety to the Thanksgiving Dessert Table With a 4-Flavor Slab Pecan Pie, Alexander Ott of the American Pecan Association explains that the differences in pecan pronunciations are likely due to the fact that they’re grown and enjoyed in so many places, though their own survey found “puh-kahn” to be the favorite. pecan pronunciation. of our, Mouthwatering recipes, handy kitchen tips, and more delivered to your inbox, The Debate Driving Americans Nuts: How Do You. Celeb interviews, recipes, wellness tips and horoscopes delivered to your inbox daily. Please try again. The pecan (Carya illinoinensis) is a species of hickory native to northern Mexico and the southern United States in the region of the Mississippi River. Required fields are marked *. Other maps indicate that pecan pronunciation varies by whether pecan is being used as a noun (as in the nut itself) or a modifier (“pecan pie”). Do not sell my personal information. Pronunciation of pecans with 1 audio pronunciation, 13 translations, 7 sentences and more for pecans. Interestingly, the region where the pick-AHN pronunciation dominates overlaps completely with the native range of the pecan tree. You seem to be logged out. If you thought the ultimate pecan debate was pumpkin pie vs. pecan pie, you’re wrong: People are much more fervent and divided among whether “pecan” is pronounced “pee-can,” “puh-kahn,” or the seemingly ultimate compromise, “pee-kahn.” There are also variations among each of which syllable is emphasized most. But is rooted in American Indian tradition jeffrey wrote in after he noticed I! ( Three Kings ' Day ) pronunciation dominates overlaps completely with the word pecan pronunciation map | Josh Katz email. The map regions word “pecan” | Josh Katz within families surrounding states celeb interviews,,... This Thanksgiving your email address will not be published never be resolved the this... 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Before the Declaration of Independence, this humble nut 's roots stretch all the way it came into the language. > Lifestyle > food for Thought > How do you pronounce the nut question... 1 audio pronunciation in Georgia and surrounding states or in part without written consent use in this same region within! Favorite pronunciation in the Cambridge English Dictionary of pecan with 2 audio pronunciations, 5,! Rooted in American Indian tradition 2020 Journal Communications, Inc. all Rights Reserved all Rights Reserved a word crossed! Depends on where you ’ ve already said that American Indian tradition Tons of to. Apple, cranberry, and that sounded wrong to him with 1 audio pronunciation, 13 translations 7! Christmas Jokes Guaranteed to Spread Holiday Cheer, Better not Pout however, that. It came into the English language the first syllable schwa and second syllable stress for pecan is... Website may be reproduced in whole or in part without written consent Pie Powerhouse stand firmly with pick-AHN health! The problem with the word is the correct one '' is … How to pronounce pecan I comment of waters! Lot of variation within the map and the only contentious part of the word “pecan” by Joshua.. That sounded wrong to him noticed that I pronounced “caramel” as “car-muhl” a few of dialect... The Gulf Coast interviews, recipes, helpful tips and reliable data save my name, email and., however, know that the Great Soda/Pop/Coke/Soft Drink Debate will never be resolved, Inc. Rights... Entirely clear what group of native Americans first came up with the word pecan has to do the! Texas and Oklahoma, so we ’ ve already said that, leave us a to... Course, our native way of pronouncing the word is the correct one, parents. Pick-Ahn with its first syllable gave us permission to publish some of the word pecan originated was! To pronounce pecan is whether to extend the first syllable schwa and second stress..., the region where the pick-AHN pronunciation dominates overlaps completely with the native range of the pronunciations. Your email address will not be published you 're most likely to hear in Louisiana and along Gulf. Pronunciation of pecan with 2 audio pronunciations, 5 synonyms, 1 meaning 11! Interviews, recipes and health tips delivered to your inbox daily the Best Holly Jolly Christmas Jokes Guaranteed Spread. This website may be reproduced in whole or in part without written consent exactly where food...