I was born in southwestern Illinois, pretty close to Missouri (pronounced "miz-ZERR-uh"), and moved to Wisconsin when I was six. I was made fun of my first month at school for my Southern accent, which I grew out of. However, when I go back down to visit family, I'm usually well returned to my accent before I cross the Illinois River. It also sneaks out when I'm tired, upset, or drunk.
I also have a powerful gift for mimicry, so I pick up on others' accents, be they southern, New England, British, Aussie, or whatever, within 10 minutes of conversation. People think I'm mocking them!
One that nobody's mentioned but is rather common 'round here is the Uper (pronounced "YOU-per") accent. Y'know Bobby's Mom on the cartoon show Bobby's World? Or the sheriff in Fargo? Kinda like that. It's basicly anybody who lives 'round Lake Superior, but it trickles down as far as Green Bay in WI and the Twin Cities in MN. It's funny.
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History doesn't repeat itself, but it often rhymes.
Mark Twain
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