Quote:
Originally Posted by Sun Belt
Why is that?
Because of the local accent, I've heard people from Louisiana call it something close to that. Your name is "DatFiyah" -- That Fire
The Saints - "Who dat? Who dat? Who dat say dey gonna beat dem Saints?"
It's exaggerated, but to me New Orleans sounds like Noo'Olins or Nu'Olins not Nawlins.
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Nawlins was popularized in the media mostly and picked up by clueless visitors who don't have an ear for the local patois. Noo'Olins (sp?) is probably closer to the mark. Frat and Yat both tend to pronounce the name in a close approximation of Noo'Olins. Frat or Uptown locals will work in a bit of the "R" sound for something that sounds like "NuOrLens". A real upper class accent might stress the dipthong and pronounce the name as "Nu OrLeeans". Yat speakers tend to drop the "R". Most locals of all classes tend to mash the "Nu" and the "Or" into something that sounds like "Noir" as in film noir. Nawlins sounds dumb, like somebody might gnaw on a bone. Locals hear this pronounciation and roll their eyes.