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00000173-38e2-d855-adf7-bcef38580000Presidential hopefuls need to clear all kinds of hurdles. Some are unique to politics, but one is familiar to every Iowan: getting our state's place-names right. While some of them (like Atlantic) are clear from the spelling, others trip "newbies" up. Louisa County? Not like my cousin's first name. Madrid? Not like the city in Spain. Nevada? Not like that state out west. You can’t take anything for granted.But you're not on your own - Iowa Public Radio has you covered. Below is our handy audio guide to pronouncing Iowa place names. How did these pronunciations gain their current forms? Long story, which we'll get to another time, but meanwhile, scroll down for the list.NOTE: Thanks to digital technology, we can update the entries anytime. Let us know if you have any corrections or suggestions - we could even post YOUR voice up here!UPDATE: Dec. 6: the following are in process, thanks to your input:Avon LakeBode [e is silent, one syllable]CarlisleCorydonCummingGiardGoodell [guh-DELL?]Hawarden [HAY-warden]Jesup [JESS-up]kilbourn [KILL-burn?]Kiron [KEYE-ruhn]Knoke [kuh-NOKE]LamoilleLycurgus [lih-SIR-jus]MauriceMoingonaOrillaOthoProle [Silent e]ProtivinPulaski [pyoo-LASS-kee?]Swea City [Sway]TaraValeriaVenturaZanetaZenorsville

Iowa Place Names: K - O

-K-       -L-       -M-       -N-       -O-


Kamrar: KAAM - rahr


Keokuk: Residents pronounce it more than one way. Common options include KEE-uh-Kuck and KYOH-kuck. Some residents include an "l" sound in the second syllable: KEE-uhl-kuck  and kee-UHL-kuck.


Keosauqua: Residents differ, but the most common is kee-uh -SAH- kwuh. (But residents also report hearing kee-oh-SAH-kwuh, kee-uh-SAW-kwuh, and Kuh-saw-kwa.)

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Lake Ahquabi: uh-KWAH -bee


Lamoni: Luh-MOE-ni [Last syllable like eye, the organ of sight]


La Porte City: Luh PORT City (not "Lah" Port - the "le" is a schwa)


Leighton: LIE -tuhn


Leon: LEE-ahn


Loess Hills: Luss Hills


Lorimor: LORE-ih-mur


Louisa: Loo-EYE-za [Middle syllable like the organ of sight]


Lowden: LOUD-in


Luana: lu-WAY-nuh

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Madrid: MAA-drid


Maharishi Vedic City: Muh-HUHRSH-ee VAY-dik City [Hindi/Sanskrit-like pronunciation, preferred by some residents] or MA-ha-REE-shee VAY-dik city [Americanized pronunciation, most often used]


Maloy: Muh-LOY


Maquoketa: Muh-KOKE-uh-tuh


Mediapolis: Mee-dee-AAH-poh-liss


Milan: MY –laan (also heard: MY-lin)


Milo: MY-low


Mondamin: mahn-DAY-muhn


Monticello: Mon-tih- SELL –o


Moravia: More-RAY-vee-uh


Moscow: You say MUSS-cow, you say MAHSS-cow - I've heard both from residents.

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Nashua: NAAH- shoe–uh


Nevada: neh -VAY –duh

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Ocheyedan: oh-CHEE-din


Odebolt: Oh-de-Bolt


Oelwein: OLE-wine


Okoboji: oh-kuh-BO-jee (although some old-timers said oh--kuh-BO-juh)


Osceola: OH-see-OH-luh


Ossian: AW-shen or AH-shen


Owasa: oh-WAH-sah

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Barney Sherman is a Senior Music Producer and Classical Music Host