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How To Speak Oregonian
First things first. If you want to live in Oregon you must first learn to pronounce the name of the state. Nothing will brand you as a outsider more than mispronouncing the name. They might even refuse to serve you at Starbucks if you do it wrong. Do not say Or-ee-gone. You will see a lot of eye rolling with that! Think of someone in the rural area. He probably has a pickup truck and a dog or a gun. Or’- uh - gun, get it? You’ll fit right in! Next, you’ll hear different names for Portland. Some people refer to it as “stump town” because of the early logging that went on in the community. Others will call it PDX after the International Airport. You might also hear someone ask you if you are a Beaver or a Duck. Before you conjecture too much from that inquiry be aware that the state’s two main Universities—Oregon State and the University of Oregon—have a Beaver and a Duck, respectively, as mascots and there is quite a bit of rivalry.