Why the -kansas Part of Arkansas Is Pronounced Differently Than the State of Kansas

The last syllables of Arkansas and Kansas don’t rhyme, but both come from the language of the same Sioux tribe. The name of Kansas was adopted by English-speaking people who came to that area, while the name of Arkansas came from those who were French, who are likely to drop word-final syllable soujnds. Thus, the different pronunciations for the names of those two states. This is part of a complete episode.

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