How to pronounce "Worcester"

This month’s cover story features a research project at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Before you read the story "Finding firefighters through heavy smoke," you should know how to pronounce "Worcester."

Never say "Worchester." There is no "h" and thus no "ch" sound. If you pronounce the "ch" sound, everyone will know that you’re a foreigner, no matter where you were born and raised. The same holds true if you say “Wooster” where you pronounce the “oo” as in “loose.” The "proper" pronunciation is to pronounce the "oo" as in "book" or "foot.” Doing so will identify you as being from New England, but from outside the city.

True Worcester natives or residents know that the only real way to pronounce the city’s name is "Wistah," but even that doesn’t quite catch the flavor of the name. There are certain inflections that can’t be described in text. You just have to hear it, but not from me. Although I spent four years as a student at WPI, I’m by no means a Worcester local. Thus, I can’t possibly get it right.

A friend and Worcester native has volunteered his voice to give you a flavor for how to properly pronounce "Worcester." Click here to listen to how a true local pronounces the name (41 sec. mp3).