There are about 30 major dialects across the U.S. You could ask for a sandwich, and someone might call it a hoagie or a sub. You might hear Americans say they’re grabbing a cart at the grocery store or, if they’re feeling particularly Southern, a buggy. And if someone’s in a rush, they’ll say they’re hustling or just plain rushing.
I remember the first time someone said I had an accent when I was in Europe. I always thought other people had an accent, not me! Being from San Diego, I always sounded like most people on television (considering most TV is made in Los Angeles–near San Diego). Of course, now I know there is a distinct Southern California accent.
What about accents? Honestly, as a writer, I’m more annoyed by misspellings and made-up words than any accent. I kind of find different pronunciations charming and am fascinated by language changes considering the region.
While some American accents are sweet as pie, others can rub people the wrong way. These are some of the top accents across the USA that most online message board users can’t stand!
Boston Accent
If there’s one accent that’s been a target for jokes and impressions in movies, it’s the iconic Boston accent. Recently, it snagged the title of the most annoying accent in America! Blame it on those old-school snobs from southeast England who influenced it.
Not everyone is a fan of those charming, drawn-out nasal sounds. Picture someone calling for “Mark” with a hearty “MaHK!” It’s hilarious and a bit frustrating to some. There’s even an iconic phrase people use to get into a Boston inflection– “PaHk the CaH in HaaHvad YaHd”– to translate, that’s Boston for “Park the car in Harvard Yard.”
New York Accent
When I tell people my favorite accent is the New York accent (particularly Brooklyn or Staten Island), they look at me like I’m nuts. Clearly, I did not vote on this list since most people hate the sound of the New York intonation. The accent is iconic due to its countless portrayals in movies, radio, and TV. Want to master it? Just binge-watch Taxi Driver or Law & Order: SVU!
But can you believe a recent study crowned the New York accent as the least attractive in the world? Apparently, some people say it comes off as a bit rude, especially when you hear someone shout, “Ay! I’m wuakin’ heeea!” (“I’m walking here”). It can feel a little too blunt for comfort!
California Accent
Love it or hate it, many Californians claim they’ve gotten used to the valley girl, surfer bro accent. Saturday Night Live even has a reoccurring sketch called “The Californians,” with characters talking about various SoCal freeways and streets in a surfer dude tone. It’s not as exaggerated as movies and TV suggest, but it’s also not far off.
So, why do some folks find it grating? For starters, that California vowel shift makes “right” sound like “raught” and “caught” like “cot.” Plus, with vocal fry and constant filler words, including “like,” it can come across as less formal, which can be a turn-off for non-native speakers. Some even joke that the California accent is just English at 1.5x speed! I have to admit, I’m like, totally guilty of talking like that with hometown friends!
Midwestern Accent
The Midwestern accent spans 12 states, including Illinois, Michigan, and Ohio. If you’ve heard “Ope, sorry!” or “No yeah,” then you know exactly what I’m talking about. It’s a bit of a pop culture stereotype, but hey, it’s out there.
One commenter said they can’t stand how long “a” sounds get shortened. Like, “bagel” becomes “baahg-el” and “milk” turns into “melk.” He once heard someone say Taylor Swift’s name like “Tallor.”
New Jersey Accent
The Jersey accent is hard to miss, with “water” becoming “wooder” and “coffee” turning into “caw-fee.” Even a laid-back chat can feel like a heated family debate. It’s loud, bold, and unforgettable—sometimes, it’s so fast it’s hard to make sense of the words.
You either love it or find it downright annoying. There’s no middle ground.
Alabama Accent
If you’re curious what the Alabama accent sounds like, it’s that classic Southern drawl you’ve heard in movies set in the South. You’ll catch it in Alabama, Mississippi, and Georgia—slow, relaxed, with stretched-out vowels like “drahwer” instead of “drawer.”
You’ll also hear plenty of “y’all” and “didja” (did you). Nothing personal, but others can’t help but feel like the deep Alabaman accent makes everything sound a bit… unserious.
Appalachian Accent
Some people feel like listening to the Appalachian accent is like trying to decode another language—where it seems like only 1/3 of the letters get pronounced! It can be a bit of a headache for those not used to it.
However, the Appalachian dialect is one of the most unique in the U.S., and it has its own charm. Ever heard someone say “warsh” instead of “wash”? Or “brang ye’ young’uns” for “bring your kids”?
New England Accent
If you’ve ever read a Stephen King novel, you know exactly what I mean when I say “Ayuh”—yep, that’s the New England accent. Ever heard “idea” pronounced as “i-dear” or ordering a “pizz-er” instead of pizza? That’s pure New England.
It can get a bit tricky, though, especially with their regional slang. Like when someone says “Jeezum Crow” (basically “Oh my goodness”) or calls a state trooper a “State-y.” It’s a whole language of its own up there!
Minnesota Accent
Mention “Minnesota dialect,” and most Americans will jump into an imitation with plenty of “oh yahs” and “you betcha.” Blame Fargo for that—the film is famous for its exaggerated version of the accent, which many Minnesotans found hilariously off-base.
That said, lots of people find the Minnesotan accent charming, tied to the region’s signature politeness and hospitality. Of course, it’s also a target for gentle teasing, especially with those nasal vowels and drawn-out sounds getting playfully overdone in impressions.
Baltimore Accent
Is it “Bawlmer” or “Baldamor”? The Baltimore accent can definitely leave you scratching your head. With its unconventional vowel sounds and dropped consonants, “Baltimorese” feels like a whole different language. One key feature is called “fronting back vowels,” where sounds that usually come from the back of the mouth are pronounced from the front—so “goose” becomes “gewse.”
You might be surprised, but a recent survey found that even AI struggles to pick up Baltimore accents!
Source: Reddit
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