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Hear "Police"in a Southern Accent

Us Southerners don’t always say police the same way the unhillbillies do. You’ll often hear it as po-leece, puh-leese, or even p’lice in fast speech, softening or dropping the first syllable. 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.

#SouthernAccents  

Say It Like a Southerner

Play audio Listen to our audio clip a few times, focusing on the softened first syllable ("po-" or "puh-"), then repeat until it feels natural or matches our audio clip.

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Common Questions

How do Southerners usually pronounce "police"?
Many say "po-leece" or "puh-leese," and some shorten it further to "p’lice" in casual or fast speech.
Is this pronunciation used all over the South?
Variants like "po-leece" are common across the South, though intensity and vowel shape vary by region.
How can I practice saying "police" in a Southern accent?
Listen to our audio clip several times and mimic the softened first syllable and rhythm.
Why do Southerners change the first syllable in "police"?
It’s partly rhythm and stress patterns inherited from older English dialects, making the second syllable heavier.
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