SOUTH CAROLINA - According to recent viral studies and search trend data, the most mispronounced word in South Carolina is "Bereft" (or sometimes "Chose", depending on which 2025 map you look at). According to search engines, South Carolinians frequently turn to the internet to figure out how to say these SAT-prep words. But if you ask an actual South Carolinian, "bereft" is the least of their worries.
The real pronunciation battles in the Palmetto State are fought over the names of our streets, our counties, and our universities. These are the shibboleths—the words that instantly separate the locals from the tourists (or "people from off").
Here is a guide to the words that actually trip people up in South Carolina.
The "Huger" Trap
This is arguably the most famous "gotcha" in the state, particularly in Charleston. You will see this name on street signs and maps.
- The Wrong Way: Hue-grr or Hug-er. (Like you are hugging someone).
- The Right Way: YOO-jee. (It sounds like the letters U-G). Or, for some old-school Charlestonians, HOO-jee.
If you say "Hug-er Street," every head in the vicinity will turn.
The Tale of Two "Beauforts"
This is a classic mix-up because our neighbors to the north have a town with the same name but a completely different pronunciation.
- The Wrong Way: BOW-furt. (Like a bow and arrow). That is how you say it in North Carolina.
- The Right Way: BYOO-furt. (Rhymes with "beautiful").
In South Carolina, we like our Beaufort beautiful. In North Carolina, they want it... like a bow.
The "Horry" County H-Drop
Myrtle Beach is located in Horry County, but if you pronounce the "H," you are immediately identified as a tourist.
- The Wrong Way: Hor-ree. (Rhymes with "sorry").
- The Right Way: OH-ree. (The "H" is entirely silent. It rhymes with "glory" or "story").
The "Clemson" Controversy
Even locals argue about this one, but there is definitely a "wrong" way to say the name of the state's famous university.
- The Wrong Way: Clem-ZON. (With a hard "Z" sound).
- The Right Way: CLEM-son or CLEMP-son.
Most natives insert a barely audible "p" sound in the middle (Clemp-son), or keep it a soft "s." But almost no one uses a complex "z" unless they are a rival fan making fun of it.
The Lowcountry French Connection
Charleston is full of names that look French but have been anglicized in concrete, non-intuitive ways over the centuries.
- Legare Street: It looks like Le-Gair. It is pronounced Luh-GREE.
- Hasell Street: It looks like Hassle. It is pronounced HAZE-el.
- Vanderhorst Street: It looks like Vander-horst. Locals pronounce it VAN-dross. (Yes, really).
- Lesesne: It looks like Le-ses-nee. It is pronounced Luh-SANE.
So, while the internet thinks South Carolinians are struggling with "bereft," the truth is they are just busy explaining to visitors why "Huger" starts with a "Y."
