So I've been saying 'Albuquerque' wrong for like... my whole life.

I was at the Frontier getting a breakfast burrito last week, and this older guy in line behind me asked if I was from out of town. I said no, I've lived here for three years. He just smiled and said, 'You say it like there's a 'k' in it... it's 'Al-buh-ker-kee', not 'Al-buh-kwer-kee'.' My mind was blown. I had been putting this weird extra 'r' sound in the middle the entire time, and nobody ever corrected me until now. I guess I just heard it wrong on TV or something and never thought about it. I must have sounded like such a tourist to everyone I've met here. It's a small thing, but it really makes you wonder what else you're messing up without knowing. Has anyone else had a local word or name they were totally butchering?

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3 Comments

angela4167mo ago

Three years and nobody said a word? That's some impressive local restraint right there.

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the_joel7mo ago

Three whole years is a long time to keep a secret like that. I can't even keep quiet about a surprise party for a week. The neighbors must have had some serious willpower.

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shane6557mo ago

The locals probably had a silent betting pool going on how long it would take you to figure it out. I bet the guy who finally spoke up won a decent chunk of change. That kind of quiet group observation is a real community art form.

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