Arkansas?

[Pupik]

Alright LM, why is Kansas pronounced:
\can-zas\

...but Arkansas pronounced:
\are-can-saw\ ?

I'd like to know.

 

[GodsGiftToWomen]

Originally posted by pupik
Alright LM, why is Kansas pronounced:
\can-zas\

...but Arkansas pronounced:
\are-can-saw\ ?

I'd like to know.

because Arkansas will do anything to seperate itself from Kansas.

I don't remember specifically what language the names derive from, but kansas was derived from a word that meant river, and arkansas meant down river.

 

[LoudMusic]

Originally posted by GodsGiftToWomen
because Arkansas will do anything to seperate itself from Kansas.

I don't remember specifically what language the names derive from, but kansas was derived from a word that meant river, and arkansas meant down river.

It's a Native American language. I also forget which. I don't know so much that Arkansas wishes to seperate itself from Kansas. It's actually been spelled many ways over the years. I don't know how they came to the current spelling, but there it is, and it's here to stay.

I assume it's much like imigrants having their names changed by ignorant people who couldn't pronounce their European spellings. Someone came along and changed it.