The real pronunciation battles in the Gem State are fought over the names of our cities, our counties, and our most famous landmarks. These are the shibboleths—the words that instantly separate the locals from the "flatlanders" and tourists.
Here is a guide to the words that actually trip people up in Idaho.
The "Boise" Barrier
This is the most critical rule in Idaho. It is the quickest way to spot an outsider, and locals will correct you with aggressive politeness.
- The Wrong Way: Boy-ZEE. (With a complex "Z" sound, like "noisy"). This is how national news anchors and practically everyone east of the Rockies say it.
- The Right Way: BOY-see. (With a soft "S" sound, like "messy" or "icy").
There is no "Z" in Boise. If you use the "Z," you might as well be wearing a fanny pack and holding a map.
The "Moscow" Method
In Russia, the capital city is often pronounced with a "cow" sound at the end. In Idaho, the home of the University of Idaho, the rules are different.
- The Wrong Way: Moss-cow. (Rhymes with "cow" or "now").
- The Right Way: MOSS-co. (Rhymes with "no" or "go").
The "Coeur d'Alene" Flow
This scenic lakeside city has a fancy French name ("Heart of the Awl"), but locals pronounce it fast and smooth. It trips up visitors who try to over-pronounce every syllable.
- The Wrong Way: Coor-dee-Al-een or Core-duh-leen.
- The Right Way: Core-duh-LANE. It sounds like "Quarter Lane" if you say it fast enough.
The "Kuna" Curveball
Located just outside of Boise, this fast-growing town has a name that defies standard phonics.
- The Trap: It looks like "Koona" (like "Hakuna Matata").
- The Local Way: KYOO-nuh. It starts with a "Q" sound, like "cute" or "cube."
The "Dubois" Departure
Like many places in the American West, Idaho adopted a French name and ignored its French pronunciation entirely.
- The Trap: Doo-BWAH (The correct French way).
- The Local Way: DOO-boyss. It sounds exactly like "Do Boys."
Honorable Mentions
- Weippe: It looks like a typo. It's pronounced WEE-ipe (rhymes with "pipe").
- Picabo: Yes, it is named after the street, and yes, Picabo Street (the skier) is named after the town. It is pronounced exactly like the game you play with a baby: PEEK-uh-boo.
- Kamiah: It's not Kam-ee-uh. It's KAM-ee-eye.
- Kootenai: Whether it's the county or the tribe, it's pronounced KOO-tun-ee (rhymes with "mutiny").
So, while the internet thinks Idahoans are struggling with "Ouija," the truth is they are just too busy explaining that there is absolutely, positively no "Z" in Boise.
