[Dixielandjazz] How to pronounce "Biloxi"

[Norman Vickers]

Re:  How to pronounce "Biloxi"

As a native Mississippian (pronounced locally as Mis'sippian)
the locals say-- bil-LUX-see.

I know what it looks like, but that's how we pronounce it.

Remember the song which "Nicely-Nicely" sang in Guys and Dolls?

It goes:  I've got the horse right here; his name is Paul Revere, etc.
Well the writer has him rhyme "Biloxi" with "The Roxy," something a
Mis'sippian would never do, drunk or sober!

Speaking of mispronunciations, Michael Chertoff, head of Home Security
Administration, called the city "New Or-LEENS" whereas most of the
locals say "Nu OR-lens" or "Nu AW-lens." Chertoff, no doubt, was
thinking of the tune "Do you know what it means, to miss New Or-LEENS."

Moral:  See the trouble one gets into when all his learning comes from
popular song.