Travel Picks: 10 of the top most mispronounced places

SYDNEY (Reuters Life!) - Nothing can make a traveler feel more clueless than mispronouncing the name of a local destination, but it's easily done.

Editors and users of travel website VirtualTourist.com have some up with a list of "The World's Top 10 Most Mispronounced Places." The list is not endorsed by Reuters.

"As confounding as IKEA product names, these gems consistently trip up even the most intrepid globetrotters," said general manager Giampiero Ambrosi.

1. Phuket, Thailand

This is definitely not a good one to learn the hard way and to make it even more difficult, advice on the correct way to pronounce it can vary. To avoid scowls, general disdain, and possibly worse, go with "Pu-get."

2. Mooball, Australia

While Mooball may sound like a cute term of bovine endearment, it's actually pronounced "Moo-bull."

3. La Jolla, California

What does the sport of boxing have in common with beautiful La Jolla, California? Not much except to get this one right, you need to rhyme it with the boxer, Oscar de la Hoya.

4. Oaxaca, Mexico

For non-Spanish speakers, the chances of mangling this one are pretty high. Just remember that there's no "hoax" in Oaxaca and that Osaka is in Japan. The correct way to say it is "Wah-ha-ca."

5. Hjo, Sweden

The correct pronunciation of the town is "You."

6. Wauchope, Australia

If you want to give the locals a good laugh, refer to this as "War-choppy." The real pronunciation is actually "War-hope."

7. Cobh, Ireland