Is It PEE-can or puh-CAHN? The Debate Over the Correct Pronunciation
Pecan vs Pecan vs Pecan.
When it comes to pecans, the debate over pronunciation is as rich as the pie itself. Is it puh-CAHN or PEE-can? Linguists, historians, and pie lovers alike have opinions—but the true story of this word goes much deeper, tracing back to Indigenous languages and cultures.
Dr. Michael Migizi Sullivan, an Ojibwe linguist from the Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe Reservation in northern Wisconsin, sheds light on the origins of this fascinating word.
The word “pecan” comes from the Algonquian language family, spoken by diverse Indigenous groups across North America. But even among these groups, there wasn’t one single way to say it:
The Abenaki pronounced it PAGAN, like Virginia’s Pagan River.
The Ojibwe called it BAGAAN.
The Miami-Illinois near the Midwest said PAKAANI.
As French and Spanish settlers encountered these communities along the Mississippi River in the 1700s, they adopted the word and adapted it to their languages. The Spanish called it PACANA, while the French used PACANE (pronounced puh-CAHN). These European pronunciations stuck and spread, influencing how we say it today.
In the U.S., PEE-can is commonly heard in the Northeast and parts of the South, while puh-CAHN dominates in the Midwest and Southwest. But Dr. Sullivan chuckles at how Americanized PEE-can sounds:
Sullivan: “You sound really Anglo when you say PEE-can. Puh-cahn is much closer to bagaan, the original pronunciation.”
Still, he embraces the beauty of linguistic diversity:
Sullivan: “Language is beautiful in all its variation. Whether it’s puh-cahn, PEE-can, or even bagaan, the important thing is that people are enjoying it.”
Whether you’re digging into a slice of pecan pie, or simply debating with friends, this little nut carries a lot of history. Its name connects us to Indigenous communities, early European settlers, and the regional quirks that make language so fascinating.
Now just pass the pie – however you pronounce it.
Source: NPR Transcript: Yes We Pecan, with Martha Stewart
Published on November 13, 2024. Available at: https://www.npr.org/transcripts/1256914738
This transcript features a conversation with Dr. Michael Migizi Sullivan, an Ojibwe linguist, about the origins and variations of the word “pecan.”
