What the heck is a LURR? New Yorkers scoff at LIRR pronunciation debate

Some commuters in the New York metro area dispute the habit of pronouncing the Long Island Rail Road acronym as “LURR.” Riders from Massapequa, Queens, and other areas say they have never heard the term used in real life. They describe the correct pronunciation as spelling out “L-I double-R” or simply saying “Long Island Rail Road” or “train.” The recent LIRR strike increased attention on the railroad and revealed that a small group pronounces the acronym as a single word. Local residents and officials mock the pronunciation as made up and not consistent with New York speech patterns.

"“You're probably not from New York if you call it the 'LURR,'” said commuter King Law, who rides the rails from Massapequa to Midtown. “You might be from a different state or different place in the country.” “I roll my eyes that people think LURR is a thing,” she said. “I've never heard it said out loud. It's definitely not New York.”"

"“Horses-t,” said Kevin, a straphanger and Queens native who declined to share his last name. “I grew up in Woodside and I've been taking Long Island Rail Road my whole life. Nobody calls it LURR. I've never heard that. Not once.” The correct way to say it, he said, is “The L-I double-R.”"

"“Calling the L-I-R-R 'LURR' is like auditioning for 'Pirates of the Caribbean' on the Oyster Bay branch,” Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino chimed in. “At that point, your monthly pass should come with a parrot and a bottle of rum.” Bayside resident Margaret, who grew up in Flushing, said LURR “sounds made up.”"

"Bayside resident Margaret, who grew up in Flushing, said LURR “sounds made up.” “Have you found anyone who said they've heard that before?” she asked a reporter. “I say train. Most people just say Long Island Rail Road.” Of the 17 commuters interviewed at the Bayside train station, none had ever heard someone use LURR before, and only one of 15 quizzed at the Mineola station knew the debate ex"

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