Can You Pronounce Oconomowoc? Turn to Miss Pronouncer

Wisconsin radio reporter Jackie Johnson grew weary of hearing people mispronounce her state’s counties, cities, and public officials. After all, how many people can confidently and correctly pronounce Octonto, Waushara, Langlade or Ozaukee?

Johnson turned to the web and created misspronouncer.com, a site with recordings of Johnson (correctly) pronouncing those Wisconsin tongue-twisters. She even includes judges, famous Wisconsinites, parks and forests – and, for the football-challenged, Packer quarterback Brett Favre.

According to an AP story, Johnson began compiling the recordings in her spare time and called chambers of commerce and libraries to verify the pronunciations. (A follow-up story reported the site’s spotty performance since media coverage began a couple days ago. You may need to visit at an off-peak time.)

Without question, it’s a cool idea. But more broadly, it shows what’s possible as more Web 2.0 tools become common. Anyone can become a publisher – and the barriers to entry are reduced every day. So before the next time you visit Wisconsin, learn how to pronounce Wauwatosa. You’ll impress the locals.