Delaware may be small, but it’s packed with towns that can trip up even the most confident navigator. Between the unusual spellings, local pronunciations, and names that sound nothing like they look, your GPS might second-guess itself — and so might you. Here are 11 Delaware town names that could make any device (or out-of-towner) do a double-take.
1. Leipsic
Locals say: “LIE-sick” — not “Leep-sick” or “Lip-sick.”
2. Viola
Locals say: “VYE-oh-la” — emphasis on the first syllable, not like the musical instrument.
3. Felton
Locals say: “FELL-tin” — quick and clipped, Delaware-style.
4. Dagsboro
Locals say: “DAGS-burrow” — not “Dagz-boro.”
5. Selbyville
Locals say: “SELL-bee-vil” — easy to say wrong if you overthink it.
6. Houston
Locals say: “HOW-stun” — just like the one in Delaware, not the city in Texas.
7. Cheswold
Locals say: “CHEZ-wold” — smooth and fast, almost one word.
8. Bear
Locals say: Just like the animal — but somehow, newcomers still try to get creative.
9. Smyrna
Locals say: “SMUR-nuh” — not “Smeer-na” or “Smy-er-na.”
10. Magnolia
Locals say: “Mag-NO-lee-uh” — but said so quickly it almost sounds like “Mag-nol-ya.”
11. Odessa
Locals say: “Oh-DESS-uh” — simple, but easy to butcher if you add extra flair.
These tricky Delaware town names are part of the state’s small-but-mighty personality. Master them, and you’ll blend right in with the locals — and maybe even help your GPS keep its cool.
SOURCES
[1] https://history.delaware.gov/2024/01/18/a-guide-to-commonly-mispronounced-delaware-places/
[2] https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/state-pride/delaware/weird-word-pronunciation-de
[3] https://www.reddit.com/r/Delaware/comments/66leul/delaware_geography_pronunciation/
[4] https://www.rd.com/list/difficult-to-pronounce-towns/
[5] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vXwYLYVXDo
