There’s a Right Way to Pronounce New Bedford’s Nickname

Throughout the world, people often come up with special nicknames for where they live. One name people use for New Bedford, passed down through the generations, is New Beige.

It's said "New Beige" is a nod to the city's cultural history, mainly a takeoff on the pronunciation of New Bedford among Portuguese immigrants. It's so popular, it's now the name of downtown's new restaurant.

There's a little argument about how to say the nickname, though.

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Most folks think it should sound like the color "beige," while others, including Fun 107 morning host Michael Rock, say it should sound more like "New Behj."

I think that's wrong.

We asked our audience for their thoughts and most agreed with me that the "beige" in "New Beige" should sound like the color. It was an absolute slaughterhouse for Michael.

READ MORE: Even Massachusetts Residents Mispronounce This SouthCoast Town Name

The next time you're talking about New Bedford and using the nickname "New Beige," just say it like the color. It's not just about what sounds right, it's also about keeping up with how the locals have been saying it for decades.