Language barrier

After seven years in Arkansas, I’ve come to terms with most of the cultural differences from my native Indiana.

But there are some pronunciations that still set me off.

The local TV weatherman refers to the Missouri Boot Heel as the Boothill and pronounces “hail” as if it were “hell.” (A forecast that includes a “hellstorm” is a real attention-getter.)

Maria once told me she was in the break room at the local newspaper when a coworker remarked about the Big Deal Pickle in a vending machine.

“What’s special about it?” Maria asked, only to discover it was a big dill pickle.

And there are commercials on radio and TV that pronounce “sale” as if it were “sell.” I’m waiting to hear someone say, “sellboat.”