What the heck is a LURR? New Yorkers scoff at LIRR pronunciation debate
A debate has emerged among New Yorkers regarding the pronunciation of the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) as 'LURR.' Many commuters express disbelief at this pronunciation, insisting that it is not commonly used. The discussion gained traction following a recent strike, highlighting the differing views on how to refer to the transit agency.
- ▪Commuters in New York are largely unfamiliar with the pronunciation 'LURR' for the Long Island Rail Road.
- ▪Most interviewed straphangers stated they have never heard anyone refer to the LIRR as 'LURR.'
- ▪A few individuals claim to have heard the term 'LURR,' but the majority find it silly and not representative of New York vernacular.
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Metro What the heck is a LURR? New Yorkers scoff at LIRR pronunciation debate By Kevin Sheehan, Alex Mitchell and Jorge Fitz-Gibbon Published May 24, 2026, 3:26 p.m. ET See more of our coverage in your search results. Add The New York Post on Google Just call them LIARRS. Real New Yorkers are calling “baloney” on one unsettled issue with the Long Island Rail Road — the annoying habit by some on the East End to insist on calling the transit agency the “Lurr.” “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.
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