We’ve all come across a word that makes us stop and wonder, “Am I saying that right?” Ohioans apparently have one word that sends them searching for answers.
Online word game site Unscramblerer analyzed Google Trends data to determine which pronunciation searches stood out in every state. It might seem im-pasta-ble, but here’s the word that has Ohioans stumped.
What’s Ohio’s most mispronounced word of 2026?
According to the study, “spaghetti” was Ohio’s top pronunciation-related search. The report gives the pronunciation as “spuh-GET-ee.”
Spaghetti Westurn will fuse fresh-made pastas in a fun, comfortable setting, where people can watch pasta being made and Western films in one place.
The study analyzed Google Trends data from Jan. 1 through Oct. 20, 2026, for pronunciation-related searches, including “how do you pronounce,” “pronunciation of” and “how to pronounce.” Researchers used SEO platform Ahrefs to measure search volume.
Most searched pronunciations by state
Here are the top pronunciation-related searches by state and how Unscramblerer says to pronounce each word. People in several states looked for help pronouncing state and city names, including in Kentucky:
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Arizona: Saguaro (suh-WAR-oh)
California: Iran (ih-RAN)
Colorado: Colorado (kah-luh-RAD-oh)
Connecticut: Curacao (KYUR-uh-sow)
Delaware: Water (WAW-ter)
Florida: Schedule (SKEJ-ool)
Hawaii: Hawaii (huh-WY-ee)
Idaho: Worcestershire sauce (WUUS-ter-sheer saws)
Illinois: Chicago (shih-KAH-goh)
Iowa: Hozier (HOH-zee-er)
Kentucky: Louisville (LOO-uh-vul)
Louisiana: Eschatology (es-kuh-TAH-luh-jee)
Massachusetts: Massachusetts (mass-uh-CHOO-sits)
Mississippi: Gyro (YEE-roh)
Montana: Xochitl (SOH-cheel)
Nebraska: Dachshund (DAKS-hund)
Nevada: Nevada (nuh-VAD-uh)
New Hampshire: Acai (ah-sigh-EE)
New Jersey: Data (DAY-tuh)
New Mexico: Laufey (LAY-vay)
North Carolina: Raleigh (RAH-lee)
North Dakota: Dachshund (DAKS-hund)
Ohio: Spaghetti (spuh-GET-ee)
Oklahoma: Acai (ah-sigh-EE)
Oregon: Oregon (OR-ih-gun)
Pennsylvania: Water (WAW-ter)
Rhode Island: Caprese (kuh-PRAY-zay)
South Carolina: Salmon (SAM-un)
South Dakota: Worcestershire sauce (WUUS-ter-sheer saws)
Tennessee: Sevierville (sev-uh-VEER-ul)
Vermont: Montpelier (mont-PEEL-yer)
Virginia: Laufey (LAY-vay)
Washington: Spokane (spoh-KAN)
West Virginia: Dachshund (DAKS-hund)
Wisconsin: Paczki (POONCH-kee)
Wyoming: Dachshund (DAKS-hund)
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: This food is the word Ohioans struggle to pronounce most
Dining and Cooking