When you think of ‘hard to pronounce words’ you probably think of tons of consonants and sounds we don’t hear a lot in common English language. And when it comes to towns and cities that are hard to pronounce, it could be for a plethora of reasons: difficult sounds, other languages, long, unfamiliar words. Traveling to new countries is a prime example of encountering place names that might be a little tricky… but what about right here at home in Georgia?
Mental Floss just released a map of all the hardest-to-pronounce town names in each state. And the range is massive. With lengthy towns like Alaska’s Nunathloogagamiutbingoi Dunes, and consonant-heavy towns, like California’s Zzyzx, it’s no surprise why some of these towns are on the list.
So what is the hardest town to pronounce in Georgia?
It’s Buena Vista. After reading Nunathloogagamiutbingoi Dunes, you might be thinking… no way, right? We definitely were. But that’s when we dug a little deeper and realized that Buena Vista isn’t all that meets the eye.
How do you say Buena Vista?
If you’re thinking… well, that’s Spanish for ‘Beautiful View,’ so it must be pronounced like the Spanish words… Boo-EN-uh VISS-tuh.
Nope. It’s BYOO-na VIS-ta. That’s right, you say it like Beautiful–BYOO-na Vista.
What is there to do in Buena Vista, Georgia?
If you’re looking for the perfect little escape from the hustle and bustle of Atlanta, Buena Vista might just be the best spot for you!
This little town is just a short 2 hour drive from the city, and it’s full of quaint, fun things to do. Whether you’re looking for a nice little coffee at the Coffee Club, a drink at Swamp Fox Distillery or a delicious meal at Annie D’s, there’s a little something for everyone to enjoy in Buena Vista!
And it’s also the home of the legendary early 1900s American baseball catcher, Josh Gibson, who is known to many as “the Black Babe Ruth.” You can learn all about his foundation and history on Buena Vista’s tourist website, here!
So visit Buena Vista, Georgia… but make sure you’re saying it right when you do!