You’ve got to love our Brummie accent. The gentle rise and fall in our intonation as we speak each sentence, with our last word slowly, but surely facing away.
There have been times when Brumagem tongue has been criticised for being monotone. We don’t often win the most popular accent awards - but it is what it is.
And with the popularity of the likes of TV stars Alison Hammond and Joe Lycett - not to mention Tommy Shelby from the Peaky Blinders - a new dawn could be on the horizon for the appreciation of Brummie speak any day.
In the meantime there are some of our place names that people just don’t know how to pronounce.
In fact some people have problems with pronouncing Birmingham, itself. We don’t say - Burning ham. It’s not Bermin-um either. Bascially you just say Birming-um - the ‘h’ is silent, not the like American city in Alabama. It’s easy when you know how.
Here are 17 other place names in and around the city which are often misprounouced:
13. Wednesbury
Here’s another Black Country town that has caused issues for those new to the area. It’s easy when you know how - but you just need to break this one in two and use the same pronunciation for the middle day of the week - and don’t forget to let the last bit fade away in a Brummie lilt. Just say: Wends-bry | Google Maps
14. Weoley Castle
The south Birmingham suburb really does have its own castle, but it’s a bit of a ruin these days. And often the pronunciation of its name is ruined too. A toughie for many Brummies themselves though, if they’re from a different part of the city. This one is pronounced: Weely Castle. | Birmingham Museums
15. Wilnecote
Over Tamworth way you will find this suburban neighbourhood with a problematic ‘e’ in the middle of its name. Don’t fret - just leave it out, and say Wilncut | Google Maps
16. Wythall
There are a few places in and around Birmingham beginning with ‘Wy’ and you’ll find this one next to Hollywood on the outskirts of the city. Just think of the ‘y’ as an ‘i’ as in lick and say With-all | Google Maps