How do you pronounce Hormel?

The company’s name originally followed the Hormel family pronunciation, HOR-mel (rhyming with “normal”). However, a 1937 Austin Daily Herald article noted the pronunciation began to shift as the company grew and gained wider recognition. At the time, the original pronunciation was not easily understood over the telephone, creating confusion for customers.

To ensure people heard and recognized the name clearly, the company shifted to Hor-MEL with emphasis on the second syllable (rhyming with “bell”). The Herald explained that businesses adopted this pronunciation and radio followed suit.

While Hor-MEL is the official pronunciation of the company’s name today, some long-time Austin, Minn., residents may still use the first-syllable pronunciation.

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