Ask what their preferred word is for a long sandwich on a roll. The difference in each pecan variety comes down to two main distinctions: the size of the nut and the thickness of the shell. We have other information about many additional languages which can be accessed from our main Amerindian menu. There is little agreement in the United States, even regionally, as to … When the National Pecan Shellers Association polled Americans about how they pronounced the name of the nut, they found that there were divides not just among regions, but within them as well. Copyright © 2019 Her Campus Media LLC. And, though survey results on the topic have varied vastly, the National Pecan Shellers Association found that “PEE-can” was the preferred pronunciation among 45 percent of Americans. Native Americans relied on wild pecan's nourishing nut meat, as well as the bark and leaves of the pecan tree for medicine purposes. However, the University of Wisconsin-Madison put out a chart of their own on this topic, which showed that some people pronounce the word differently depending on whether it's alone or in a compound word, like "pecan pie.". The American Pecan Council (APC) is a group of passionate pecan growers and shellers whose life work is dedicated to growing, harvesting and processing America’s native nut. “Pecan” is from an Algonquian word, meaning a nut requiring a stone to crack. This native American nut, a member of the hickory family, has a fat content of over 70 percent. And is one pecan pronunciation “right”? Learn how to pronounce Pecans in English with video, audio, and syllable-by-syllable spelling from the United States and the United Kingdom. Some say "pecan" is … Some say "pecan" is derived from the Illinois word pakani, while others give claim to the Algonquians or the Cree. All you have to do is check an online dictionary. But now you'll be able to sound like a super knowledgeable foodie if the occasion arises. Pecan. It started as an Illinois (Native American) word, "pakani," which early French-Americans learned and turned into "pacane" (try saying that with a Creole accent); this became our American English "pecan." And let’s not forget, what the dictionary says matters far less in the long run than what the people say. As for me? These trees were first cultivated by Native Americans and used as a major food source in the fall and winter months. No, it's not from the changing weather, but from the intense foodie debates that always crop up during this time of year, and one of the biggest points of contention, especially as we inch towards Thanksgiving, is how to pronounce pecan. If you’re looking for a simple way to start a playful argument and turn people against each other in (mostly!) Alexander Ott, Executive Director of the American Pecan Council, offers this explanation for why Americans pronounce “pecan” differently: because pecans themselves are “grown in so many different places—15 states from coast to coast,” he told Reader’s Digest. It’s that oval-shaped nut that tastes really good in a pie: the pecan. In spring 2017, her creative nonfiction piece "Anticipation" was published in Angles literary magazine. So the survey proved that “PEE-can” makes a very strong showing, at least on the East Coast. Especially if they come from all different parts of the United States, such a conversation is bound to turn up all sorts of linguistic curiosities. “Any and all pronunciations are welcome as long as the pecans are being eaten!” Ott says. It isn't entirely clear what group of Native Americans first came up with the word for this nut. It isn't entirely clear what group of Native Americans first came up with the word for this nut. Turns out, this humble nut's roots stretch all the way back to before the Declaration of Independence. The origin of the word pecan is Native American and has an Algonquin origin which meaning is defined as “a nut requiring a stone to crack”. … The last three letters are “-can,” so how does rhyming them with “gone” make sense? Break 'pecan' down into sounds: [PI] + [KAN] - say it out loud and exaggerate the sounds until you can consistently produce them. The correct pronunciation is "pe-CAHN." The most common American pronunciation is / pɪˈkɑːn /. They may be slightly smaller than other varieties, but our SHILOH FARMS American Native Pecans have big flavor all their own! Why is “pecan” any different? Clearly some people want to have their pecan pie and eat it too. No matter which you say, you’re probably stalwartly convinced that your pronunciation is the right one and cringe when you hear it said the other way. When it comes to America’s native nut, great taste is just the beginning. The other 55 percent were split between “puh-KAHN” and “PEE-kahn”—an interesting hybrid of the two. A poll conducted by the National Pecan Shellers Association asked Americans how they say it: A whopping 45 percent of Southerners say “PEE-can,” while nearly 70 … Survey reveals Texans' preferred pronunciation of 'pecan' The results were released as part of a celebration marking 100 years since the pecan tree was named the … "Pecan" is from an Algonquian word variously referring to pecans, walnuts and hickory nuts. How to use pecan in a sentence. They also made a fermented intoxicating pecan beverage called “powcohicora.” - Pecan trees only produce nuts every two years. Ultimately though, by the early 1700s, "pecan" had been transformed into the French word pacane. Of course, our native way of pronouncing the word is the correct one. That email doesn't look right. : from French pacane , from Illinois (an American Indian language). I’m team “puh-CON,” but all of my drawling elders are team “PEA-can.” My dad, who hates pecans, just calls them “your mom’s nuts.” Regardless, more than 347,000 Americans have responded to the APC poll, and it would seem “puh-CON” is the preference. Pecan trees are native to Mexico and the southern United States. You tryna be tricky? It’s in the dictionary, so you can’t say it’s flat-out wrong, can you? Hamil, the Thomasville, Ga., pecan broker, even knows a few folks who prefer a hybrid pronunciation. Top producers of pecans include Georgia and Texas, though you'll find heirloom pecan pie recipes up and down the region from the Texas Hill Country to the Gulf Coast, through Tennessee, Virginia, and Maryland, too. We recommend our users to update the browser. Here are some more words that Americans can’t agree on how to pronounce. How to say pecan. Pecan production has steadily increased in the United States, rising from 2.2 million pounds annually in 1920 to between 250 and 300 million pounds today. Ask if they drink from a “water fountain” or a “bubbler.” Any of these regional words that instantly reveal where you grew up are sure to lead to a fascinating conversation. Pecan trees are the only major nut tree that grows naturally in North America. Honestly, it's going to be hard for people to suddenly change a pronunciation that they've used all of their lives. Just look at all of these words added to the dictionary in 2019. By adding your email you agree to get updates about Spoon University Healthier. These trees were first cultivated by Native Americans and used as a major food source in the fall and winter months. The closest of the modern pronunciations would be pick-AHN with its first syllable schwa and second syllable stress. The name "pecan" has an interesting history. Neither side is willing to admit or accept defeat, so the battle rages on. "Pecan" as a word has crossed a lot of international waters, but is rooted in American Indian tradition. After all, it would be ridiculous if anyone pronounced “toucan” as “tou-KAHN,” right? And, sure, maybe “puh-KAHN” shows up as the first dictionary pronunciation on dictionary sites, but “PEE-can” is listed there too. With the emphasis on the first syllable, like “PEE-can,” or on the second, as “puh-KAHN”? (Nut) case closed. 1528 Spaniard Cabeza de Vaca was shipwrecked near Galveston, Texas, and became the first European introduced to pecans after being captured by Karankawas, a Native American tribe who lived along Texas coast. - Native Americans ate pecans but also made pecan milk for infants and the elderly. "Some of the real sophisticated people say 'puh-cans, a … Mark this day folks, a proud Boston girl is about to admit that she's been wrong. It is said that Native Americans first cultivated the pecan tree. The “correct” pronunciation of pecan would place the emphasis on the end syllable as typical of French and have a first syllable with a pronunciation of the soft a of the original pacane. English Pronunciation of Pecans. Listen to the audio pronunciation in the Cambridge English Dictionary. good fun, ask what names they have for certain things. Carya illinoensis (Wangenheim) K. Koch Juglandaceae (Walnut Family) Pecan is a large tree that produces an abundant crop of thin-shelled nuts. It seems like people fall into two distinct camps on this issue: is it "pe-cahn" or "pee-can?" As an Ozarks native, I have mixed feelings on the proper pronunciation. How did you just read that word in your head? While this might seem downright traitorous to some people in the South, others will passionately stand by “PEE-can.” For instance, Steven Petrow from the Washington Post made it his mission to conduct extensive research on pecan pronunciation after being excoriated by scores of North Carolinians for saying “puh-KAHN.”. She graduated from Marist College with a Bachelor of Arts in English and has been writing for Reader's Digest since 2017. We found this research fascinating, so we’ve compiled a few of these dialect maps related to food. They were the first to name our beloved nut.” Dan Zedan, Pecan Sheller in Wayne, Ill. Here are 4 tips that should help you perfect your pronunciation of 'pecan':. Native pecan trees – those over 150 years old – have trunks more than three feet in diameter. Founded in 2016 through a Federal Marketing Order, the APC’s mission is to promote the many benefits of the American Pecan and help tell the story of this truly unique nut. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer), regional words that instantly reveal where you grew up, words that Americans can’t agree on how to pronounce, 7 Signs You’re Wearing the Wrong Bra Size—And How to Find One That Fits, 30 Little-Known Words That Will Help You Win Scrabble, Do Not Sell My Personal Information – CA Residents. Turns out, even though people pretend that this word is a tough nut to crack, it's been pretty simple the whole time. Why were they added to the dictionary? Pecan definition is - a large hickory (Carya illinoinensis synonym C. illinoensis) that has roughish bark and hard but brittle wood and is widely grown in the warmer parts of the U.S. and in Mexico for its edible nut. ; Record yourself saying 'pecan' in full sentences, then watch yourself and listen.You'll be able to mark your mistakes quite easily. A common misconception about the pecan pronunciation is that northerners say “PEE-can” and southerners say “puh-KAHN.” It’s not actually a clean regional split. According to a survey from the National Pecan Shellers Association, 70 percent of people living in the Northeast pronounced it “PEE-can”—but so did 45 percent of southerners. See pecan in the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary I don't care how to pronounce pecan, so long as you slap these babies into some pecan praline! Does anyone else notice the chill in the fall air? If you explore the history of the word, you’ll quickly develop a strong case for “puh-KAHN.” It comes from the Native American word pakani, which evolved into the American-French pacane. Pecan processing was developed in the early 1920’s. There’s no “E” in sight in the first syllable of those words, both of which would have put the emphasis on the second syllable. How to pronounce pecan. Not all heroes wear capes, my friends. After comparing a bunch of different pronunciations online, it was pretty apparent that native French speakers pronounce the word, "peck-Anne," with much of the emphasis on the first syllable of the word. The good news is, it doesn't make this nut any less delicious. Universally, Americans pronounce the second syllable of pecan as KAHN rather than KAN. Business Insider put together a short video that explains the differences in pronunciation across the United States. Heart-healthy with power-packed protein, this nutrient-dense nut boasts multiple health-promoting nutrients and bioactive compounds. Pecan is a tough nut to crack. I know, I'm just as shocked as you are, but it's true. Learn more. the nut of the American pecan tree with a smooth pink-brown shell Topics Food c2 Word Origin late 18th cent. The pecan is a type of hickory nut native to northern Mexico and the southern U.S. She is a proud Hufflepuff and member of Team Cap. Meghan Jones is a Staff Writer for RD.com who has been writing since before she could write. As a huge word nerd, I knew I had to find out where the word came from before I could tell anyone how to pronounce pecan. Most of these are Algonquian languages so far. Pecans possess many impressive health benefits. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. As a huge word nerd, I knew I had to find out where the word came from before I could tell anyone how to pronounce pecan. All Rights Reserved, 9 Lansdowne Street, Suite 2Boston, MA 02215, most Americans put the emphasis on the second syllable, The Truth Behind the Misleading Labels on Food Packaging. Not according to the APC. The origin of the word pecan is Native American and has an Algonquin origin which meaning is defined as “a nut requiring a stone to crack”. Both Dictionary.com and Merriam-Webster list “puh-KAHN” as the first pronunciation and provide the audio for that pronunciation. The linguistics department at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee just also shared a pecan pronunciation map that gives another option – where people may say pee-KAHN by itself, but then say PEE-can when using a compound word, like pecan pie. Variations may include white or brown sugar, cane syrup, sugar syrup, molasses, maple syrup, or honey. Our only Native pecan tree, growing wild for over 100 years, towers over the surrounding trees. Some varieties are named after their discoverers or creators, while many varieties get their names from Native American tribes. A pecan is a nut, not a Star Trek villain! Pecan trees are the only major nut tree that grows naturally in North America. I consulted both the Merriam Webster Dictionary and the Cambridge Dictionary online. ... American Indian Pronunciation Guides Here are the pronunciation guides we have completed so far. Valued for centuries by Native Americans, pecans today comprise one of the most important commercial nut crops in North America. "Pecan" as a word has crossed a lot of international waters, but is rooted in American Indian tradition. Turns out, this humble nut's roots stretch all the way back to before the Declaration of Independence. Pee-can, of course, being the preferred pronunciation of Northerners. But even then, pronunciations vary by region. Pecan pie is a pie of pecan nuts mixed with a filling of eggs, butter, and sugar. Obviously, there is no one way to pronounce "pecan" and with four common pronunciations heard across the country, it's one of most regionally varying words in the American … But there are two vastly different—and polarizing—pronunciations these babies into some pecan praline check native american pronunciation of pecan online dictionary it is that! 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