Michigan’s most mispronounced word is “Paczki,” according to a new analysis of 2025 Google search data.
The word, a traditional Polish pastry, also ranks among the most searched-for mispronunciations across several states.
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Researchers analyzed Google Trends data from January 1 through October 27, 2025, focusing on searches for phrases like “How do you pronounce” and “How to pronounce.”
They combined this with search volume data to identify the most commonly mispronounced words in each state and nationwide.
For Michigan, “Paczki” (pronounced POONCH-kee) topped the list of mispronounced words, reflecting the state’s Polish heritage.
Other states had their own unique challenges, such as Alabama’s “Worcestershire sauce” (WUSS-ter-sheer) and Alaska’s “Saoirse” (SUR-sha).
Across the country, the most mispronounced words included:
- Gyro (YEE-roh) with 312,000 searches
- Worcestershire sauce (WUSS-ter-sheer) with 300,000 searches
- Acai (ah-SIGH-ee) with 192,000 searches
- Qatar (KAH-tar) with 180,000 searches
- Dachshund (DAKS-hund) with 156,000 searches
The research highlights how English spelling and pronunciation often don’t align -- causing confusion.