Vermont – the Green Mountain State, where the maple syrup flows like gold, the winters are long, and the town names are as quaint as the covered bridges they belong to. With roots in French, Native American, and good old Yankee ingenuity, Vermont’s place names can stump even the most seasoned leaf-peepers. If you can pronounce these 13 words without hesitation, you’ve definitely earned your creemee and a spot by the woodstove.
The 13 Words:
Calais (CAL-iss)
Forget the French pronunciation—this is Vermont, not Paris.
Vermont (Ver-MONT)
Say it with a hint of pride and a lot of love for the mountains.
Quechee (KWEE-chee)
Known for its gorge and a name that’s more fun to say than it looks.
Montpelier (Mont-PEEL-yer)
The nation’s smallest capital city, but the pronunciation trips up many.
Burlington (BUR-ling-tun)
Home of Ben & Jerry’s and as straightforward as Vermont gets.
Barre (BARRY)
It’s not Bar or Bar-ay—get it right, or prepare for some side-eye.
Killington (KILL-ing-tun)
Home of epic skiing and an easy-to-pronounce name for once.
Williston (WILL-iss-tun)
Keep it simple, just like the charm of this small town.
Charlotte (Shar-LOT)
It’s not Shar-lut. Vermonters do things their own way.
Londonderry (LUN-dun-derry)
Rolls off the tongue like fresh Vermont snow.
Poultney (POLE-nee)
A name that’s as unique as its town.
Vergennes (Ver-JENS)
French-inspired, but distinctly Vermont in pronunciation.
Tunbridge (TUN-bridge)
Famous for its World’s Fair and a name as down-to-earth as its residents.
How’d you do? If these names came out as smooth as fresh maple syrup, you’re a true Vermonter. If not, don’t worry—just grab a hot cider donut, take in the fall foliage, and let the locals show you the ropes. Because in Vermont, it’s not just about how you say the names—it’s about the stories and small-town charm they hold. 🍁🧣
