Here’s an excerpt from the first blog update in a month over at the Inside WLOS blog. It’s by newbie Katie Killen:
Two months. That’s how long I’ve been the Rutherford County Bureau reporter. And what a two months it’s been!
It sounds silly, I know, but I finally feel comfortable referring to Rutherfordton as “Ruffton” (however, I’m still not sure how to spell it). In fact, I was talking to one of my News 13 colleagues the other day and threw in a “Ruffton”…just to see how it sounded. I’m happy to report, I didn’t feel too ridiculous. The colleague…he first asked if he heard me correctly. I assured him that he had. Then he congratulated me on fitting in. I just hope the locals don’t think it’s too soon. I have only been here two months, after all! Still–4 syllables(Ruth-er-ford-ton) are just too much for every day conversation.
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And the slight "F" sound is almost more of a "V" sound.
You know, it’s not "Ruffton"- that’s an outsider’s attempt to replicate the pronunciation used by old-time Rutherford natives. Natives manage to get an "L" sound into the first syllable (which is almost a syllable-and-a-half), and the "F" is merely hinted at. My grandmother always said it that way, and I can say it, but I can’t write it phonetically because it’s impossible. One of the mysteries of the world….and pretty cool because it’s a living artifact of an era passed.