3 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
New Yawkas have the most confident US accents — think this Joe Pesci line
Do I amuse you?
The Big Apple boasts the most confident sounding accents in the US, a recent study found.
The unique tone, marked by dropped 'R's, shifted vowels (like coffee becoming 'caw-fee') and tough talk — often thought of as a specific Brooklyn or Bronx sound, is particularly associated with working-class, multi-generational New Yawkas.
5 Actor Joe Pesci's had roles with memorable New York accents.
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Think Joe Pesci's 'Funny how' in 'Goodfellas' and Chazz Palminteri's iconic 'Now youse can't leave' in 'A Bronx Tale' — or anything Fran Drescher.
'There's a rhythm to it that cuts through small talk and its placement and resonance tends to sit further forward giving it a brighter sound — which tends to resonate louder in most spaces,' voice coach Molly Parker told The Post.
5 Fran Drescher's New York accent is part of her brand.
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The distinctive New Yawk City sound, Parker said, is attributed to its quick and punchy flow and unfiltered nature — traits in the accent's musicality associated with confidence and assertiveness.
Brooklyn-born stand-up comedian Elyse DeLucci calls it passionate.
'I think it's the force with which the words come out of the mouth,' DeLucci tells The Post. 'New Yorkers, we speak almost from our diaphragm. It's very confident sounding. You know, we walk into the store and we're like, 'How you doing?' You walk in like you own the joint.'
DeLucci, who hosts a podcast called 'New York Tawk,' described her accent as 'nasal, raspy…. almost a little masculine at times' but said 'it's a diehard New York accent for sure.'
5 DeLucci was not surprised the New York accent was found to be the most confident.
Helayne Seidman
Answering Service Care picked the brains of more than 2,000 Americans for its study.
To no one's surprise, the Southern accent — most commonly associated with Louisiana, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Texas, Virginia and South Carolina — was found to be the most charming.
'The Southern accents tend to have a slower pace, musical intonation, and warmth in their vowel sounds, which could evoke friendliness or approachability,' said Parker.
5 Piper no! America fell in love with Posey Parker's character – Victoria Ratliff's South Carolina accent on White Lotus.
Stefano Delia/HBO
America was certainly charmed by Posey Parker's snotty North Carolina accent in White Lotus ('Piper, no!') and Matthew McConaughey's 'alright, alright, alright' in 'Dazed and Confused' is still part of the American zeitgeist more than 30 years after it made its debut.
But researchers also found the Southern twang is becoming extinct in younger generations, as people from all over the US flock south, particularly since the pandemic.
5 McConaughey's Texan accent has charmed Hollywood for more than three decades.
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The Hawaiian accent, meanwhile, was found to be the most soothing – highlighting its melodic, laid back and welcoming nature.
