Us Southerners don’t always say mayonnaise the way the unhillbillies do. You’ll often hear it shortened to man-aze [mæn.eɪz] or man-ays [mæn.eɪs], dropping a whole syllable and softening the "o." Play the clip to hear how it sounds in real Southern speech, then - if you're up for a challenge - practice it yourself with our tips and sentences.
How do Southerners usually pronounce "mayonnaise"?
Many clip it to "man-aze" or "man-ays," dropping the "yo" or "may-o" syllable entirely.
Is this pronunciation used all over the South?
It’s especially common in rural areas, though you’ll hear "may-o-naze" in urban and mixed regions.
How can I practice saying "mayonnaise" in a Southern accent?
Listen to our audio clip several times and mimic the clipped two-syllable version "man-aze" instead of "may-o-naze."
Why do Southerners drop syllables in "mayonnaise"?
It’s part of a long-standing pattern of vowel reduction and syllable clipping in everyday Southern speech.
How to Cite This Page
APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 17). Mayonnaise. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southern-accent/mayonnaise
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Mayonnaise." HillbillySlang.com, 17 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southern-accent/mayonnaise.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Mayonnaise." HillbillySlang.com. September 17, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southern-accent/mayonnaise.
Regional Note
Southern accents vary widely from state to state and even holler to holler. The examples here reflect speech patterns common to rural Kentucky, Arkansas, Tennessee, western North Carolina, north Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Texas, and aren't meant to represent lowland or coastal "Deep South" varieties. Nor are the examples perfect - accents can be hyper-regional. They're provided for curious learners, actors and content creators, and ESL speakers who want a friendly introduction to authentic pronunciation. Learn more on the Southern Accent hub page.
Created by The Hillbilly Dude, this site is a growing field guide to culture, speech, memory, and meaning - rooted in Appalachia but reaching across the world. Every slang word, saying, accent and story is gathered from first-hand experience and trusted sources. The goal: preserve authentic voices and share them with writers, learners, and culture lovers everywhere - with a little humor thrown in here and there. Read more...
Listen to our audio clip a few times, focusing on the "man-aze/man-ays" shift, then repeat until it feels natural or matches our audio clip.