Hey, newcomers: Get your local names right

A notice to newcomers (and not a few older-comers): It is not “the” Puget Sound. If you don’t believe me, just look at any map. It’s not “the Puget Sound.” Yes, it’s the Puget Sound area, the Puget Sound region, even the Puget Sound pugetropolis, but that beautiful body of saltwater to the west of Seattle is not “the” Puget Sound.

You hear it more and more all the time, even from broadcast news and weather people who ought to know better.

I’m slightly more indulgent toward recent transplants, especially those from Southern California, who refer to their freeways with a “the” — the I-5. But transplants, listen up: Just as it’s not “the” Puget Sound, it’s not “the” I-5 or “the” 405 either. I know you have your hands full with learning how to pronounce Puyallup, Sequim and Chewelah, but still.

While I’m on my soapbox, let me add that it’s not “Pike’s Market.” Please, I beg you. The best public market in the United States is the Pike Place Market. Or if you want to exercise your local chops, just call it “The Market” and every native-born son or daughter will know which market you mean.

As you can see, I’m not opposed to the use of the article “the.” For instance, native Northwesterners often affectionately refer to Mount Rainier simply as “The Mountain” (rather similar to the above reference to the Pike Place Market).

But wait a moment: Growing up, we natives referred to Hood Canal as “the” Hood Canal — which just goes to show there are exceptions to every rule.

OK, you got me on “the” Hood Canal. But just don’t call it “Hood’s Canal.” That’s wrong.

If you don’t believe me, just look at any map.