I never knew I was different, until I finally left New Jersey. It was my first day at college, September 1989, and I told some dorm mates I was heading out that night to see a band called the Cave Dogs. "Say that again?" they said with astounded looks on their faces. "Cave Dawgs" I replied. "Why? What's wrong with that?" It took me a few moments before I realized it was my pronunciation of "dog" that had stopped them dead in their tracks.

In subsequent days, ordering coffee (cawfee) or even saying the name of my school (Bawston University) would prompt similar slackjawed reactions. After five years of living outside the state, (I was

corrected

, thanks Tiaga.), my north Jersey accent was tempered somewhat. But the experience left me fascinated by accents and all the geography, sociology and history that forges them. Thousands of New Jersey students starting college will likely have the same experience over the next week or so.

Mine was the stereotypical New Jersey accent, the north Jersey dialect the world thinks all Garden Staters have. But, as is usual with most things pertaining to New Jersey, the rest of the world has it wrong.

On today's Ledger Live video webcast, we delve into the diverse world of New Jersey accents to see why we talk like we do - and how it's changing.

CORRECTION: In the video I stated the incorrect first name of the University of Pennsylvania professor whom I had had interviewed. His name is William Labov.



Here's what we had people read: