LocalMean
Sound guide

Pronounce Boston terms.

Visual guides remain the primary record. The optional buttons use the visitor’s browser voice and should not be treated as verified Boston-accent recordings.

  • bang a uey · /ˌbæŋ ə ˈjuː.i/
    Primary stress falls on the first syllable of uey. Uey sounds like “YOO-ee.” Speakers may compress the middle vowel in rapid speech; browser voice may sound less natural than local conversation.
  • bubbler · /ˈbʌb.ləɹ/
    Stress the first syllable. The final r may be reduced or absent in non-rhotic local speech. The browser voice may not reproduce a Boston accent.
  • clicker · /ˈklɪk.əɹ/
    Stress the first syllable. The final r may be reduced in some Boston accents. Browser voice is not accent-specific.
  • Dunks · /dʌŋks/
    One syllable. The vowel is the same as in luck. Browser voice may pronounce the plural ending very sharply.
  • frappe · /fræp/
    One syllable. Rhymes approximately with map. Do not pronounce it like the two-syllable French frappé in this local menu context.
  • grinder · /ˈɡraɪn.dəɹ/
    Stress the first syllable. The final r may be reduced in some local accents. Browser voice will usually use a rhotic general-American pronunciation.
  • jimmies · /ˈdʒɪm.iz/
    Stress the first syllable. The ending sounds like “eez.” Browser voice should be understandable but is not a verified regional recording.
  • kid · /kɪd/
    One syllable. Use a short i sound as in sit. Browser voice is a general English approximation.
  • Masshole · /ˈmæs.hoʊl/
    Stress the first syllable. The second element rhymes with goal. Browser voice may not reflect the sarcastic or affectionate delivery common in reclaimed use.
  • packie · /ˈpæk.i/
    Stress the first syllable. The final syllable has a clear long “ee” sound. Browser pronunciation is not a verified local recording.
  • pisser · /ˈpɪs.əɹ/
    Stress the first syllable. The final r may be reduced in some local accents. Browser voice is only a device-generated approximation.
  • rotary · /ˈroʊ.tə.ri/
    Stress the first syllable. The middle vowel is reduced. Local speech may compress the final syllables.
  • space saver · /ˈspeɪs ˌseɪ.vəɹ/
    Primary stress falls on space, with secondary stress on save. The final r may be reduced in local speech. Browser voice is only an approximation.
  • spuckie · /ˈspʌk.i/
    Stress the first syllable. Usually pronounced with the vowel in luck, followed by a long “ee.” Spellings and pronunciations vary.
  • Storrowed · /ˈstʌr.oʊd/
    Stress the first syllable. The first vowel is similar to the vowel in stir for many speakers, though accent realization varies.
  • the Pike · /ðə ˈpaɪk/
    Stress Pike. Pike rhymes with bike. The article is often reduced in connected speech.
  • the T · /ðə ˈtiː/
    Stress the letter T. The article is usually reduced in rapid speech. Browser voice may overpronounce “the.”
  • tonic · /ˈtɑː.nɪk/
    Stress the first syllable. The first vowel varies by accent. Browser voice may default to a general American pronunciation.
  • townie · /ˈtaʊ.ni/
    Stress the first syllable. The second syllable has a long “ee” sound. Browser voice does not capture neighborhood-specific accent features.
  • wicked · /ˈwɪk.ɪd/
    Stress the first syllable. The second syllable is short and unstressed. The IPA shown is broad, and browser voice remains an approximation.