Pronunciation Poise: Coyote

The word originated from Nahuatlplay, the language that was spoken by the majority of the inhabitants of central Mexico at the time of the Spanish conquest, and has an intriguing pronunciation history.

Do you know the correct way to pronounce "coyote"?

1. koy-oat-ee

2. kye-oat-ee

3. kye-oat

4. All the above

The answer is . . . "All the above." "Kye-oat-ee" is the most common form in the U.S., but "kye-oat" is used in central and western parts, including by the University of South Dakota for its mascot. "Koy-oat-ee" is the British-English form.

In addition to the animal, “coyote” has more recently come to mean “an objectionable person” or “a cheat,” and, of course, it’s also a slang word for smugglers who help people enter the U.S. illegally.