William Cummings

USA TODAY

Donald Trump says Neh-VAH-da, locals say Neh-VAD-ah.

The Republican nominee mispronounced the state's name while lecturing those he thought were saying it incorrectly during a rally in Reno Wednesday night.

Trump made the gaffe in a random tangent during a discussion of Nevada's drug problem.

"Heroin overdoses are surging and meth overdoses in Neh-VAH-da," Trump said. "Neh-VAH-da," he repeated, drawing out the mispronunciation. "When I came out here I said nobody says it the other way. It has to be Neh-VAH-da, right?"

Trump jokingly said a friend of his who said it incorrectly "was killed."

Some on Twitter took notice:

At least one reporter believed Trump was joking when he mispronounced the state's name.

The crowd laughed, but locals overwhelmingly agree the correct pronunciation is Neh-VAD-ah. However you say it, recent polls show Hillary Clinton with a narrow lead in the state.