South Carolina is a state where history is hidden in the syllables. From the Lowcountry to the Upstate, the Palmetto State is dotted with names that serve as immediate shibboleths—tests to distinguish the locals from the visitors.
While many tourists stumble over Beaufort (it’s Byoo-furt, not Bow-fort like in North Carolina) or Horry County (the "H" is silent), there is one small community that consistently baffles outsiders more than any other.
The Winner: Huger, South Carolina
To the uninitiated eye, this name looks like a comparative adjective describing something massive: "Huge," "Huger," "Hugest." If you ask a local for directions to "Huge-er," however, you will likely be met with a blank stare—or a polite chuckle.
How to Pronounce It: YOO-jee (or sometimes HEW-jee)
The "H" is largely silent or very soft, and the "g" is soft, creating a sound that has no relation to the English word "huge."
Why Is It Pronounced That Way? The pronunciation is a direct legacy of the state's French Huguenot history. The community is named after the Huger family, prominent French Protestants who settled in the area in the late 17th century. Notable members included Isaac Huger, a Revolutionary War general. Over centuries, the French pronunciation was adapted into the distinct Southern-Huguenot dialect that survives today.
Honorable Mentions Once you’ve mastered Huger, try these other South Carolina tongue-twisters:
Horry County: It’s not "Hor-ee." It’s Oh-ree, named after Revolutionary War hero Peter Horry.
Swansea: Unlike the Welsh city, locals often say Swan-see (rhyming with "fancy"), not Swan-zee.
Coosawhatchie: A mouthful of Lowcountry geography pronounced Koo-saw-hatch-ee.
