Rep. Scott DesJarlais’s (R-Tenn.) last name befuddles so many people that he dedicated an entire campaign ad to its pronunciation.
In the ad, DesJarlais sits at a picnic table, introducing himself, when an old man interrupts him, holding up a mustard jar while asking, “Dijon?”
“Not the mustard!” DesJarlais’s family shouts as the politician says his name again.
The 112th Congress opened with one of the legislative body’s largest freshman classes, and with it come several names that have the potential to embarrass any staffer, lobbyist or reporter attempting to introduce him- or herself or get a lawmaker’s attention.
In an effort to avoid such situations, The Hill offers a pronunciation guide to the most difficult names of the freshman class, as well as a refresher on how to pronounce some veteran legislators’ tricky names.
Starting at the top
Speaker John Boehner

Short — but still tough
Sen. Kelly Ayotte

Rep. Larry Bucshon

Rep. Chip Cravaack (R-Minn.): Cruh-VACK
Rep. Frank Guinta (R-N.H.): GIN-tuh (It’s a hard G, as in “good.)
Sen. John Hoeven

Rep. Tim Huelskamp (R-Kan.): HYULES-camp
Rep. Dave Schweikert (R-Ariz.): SHWEYE-kurt
Rep. Steve Womack

Longer — and even trickier
Rep. Francisco “Quico” Canseco (R-Texas): KEE-ko Cahn-SEH-ko
Rep. David Cicilline (D-R.I.): Sis-uh-LEEN-ee
Rep. Scott DesJarlais (R-Tenn.): DAY-zhar-lay
Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-Mich.): HI-zing-guh
Rep. Jim Renacci (R-Ohio): Ruh-NAY-see
Rep. Todd Rokita (R-Ind.): Row-KEE-tuh
Redux
Sen. John Boozman

Rep. Steve Chabot (R-Ohio): SHA-bit. Chabot returns to Congress this year after a rematch last fall with another politician with a tough name, former Rep. Steve Driehaus (D).
Refresher
No matter how long they’ve been in Congress, these members have names that regularly get mispronounced.
Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.): Bill-uh-RACK-iss
Rep. Shelley Moore CapitoShelley Wellons Moore CapitoModerates vow to 'be a force' under Biden The Hill's Morning Report - Biden's crisis agenda hits headwinds Bipartisan Senate gang to talk with Biden aide on coronavirus relief MORE (R-W.Va.): KA-pih-toe
Rep. Michael Capuano (D-Mass.): Cap-yoo-ON-oh
Rep. Jason ChaffetzJason ChaffetzThe myth of the conservative bestseller Elijah Cummings, Democratic chairman and powerful Trump critic, dies at 68 House Oversight panel demands DeVos turn over personal email records MORE (R-Utah): CHAY-fits
Sen. Mike CrapoMichael (Mike) Dean CrapoGOP digs in on preserving Trump tax cuts OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Biden's Interior Department temporarily blocks new drilling on public lands | Group of GOP senators seeks to block Biden moves on Paris, Keystone | Judge grants preliminary approval for 0M Flint water crisis settlement Sweeping COVID-19, spending deal hits speed bumps MORE (R-Idaho): CRAY-poh
Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas): KWAY-ar
Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.): EN-sin
Rep. Chaka Fattah (D-Pa.): SHAW-kuh Fuh-TAH
Rep. Rodney FrelinghuysenRodney Procter FrelinghuysenBottom line Republican lobbying firms riding high despite uncertainty of 2020 race Ex-Rep. Frelinghuysen joins law and lobby firm MORE (R-N.J.): FREE-ling-hi-zen
Rep. Rubén Hinojosa (D-Texas): een-oh-HO-suh
Sen. James InhofeJames (Jim) Mountain InhofeSenate GOP signals it's likely to acquit Trump for second time Overnight Defense: Austin takes helm at Pentagon | COVID-19 briefing part of Day 1 agenda | Outrage over images of National Guard troops in parking garage Senate confirms Austin to lead Pentagon under Biden MORE (R-Okla.): IN-hoff
Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii): In-OH-yay
Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.): EYE-suh. We’ll be hearing Issa’s name more this Congress now that he’s Oversight and Government Reform Committee chairman.
Sen. Amy KlobucharAmy KlobucharSenators spar over validity of Trump impeachment trial Sunday shows - Biden agenda, Trump impeachment trial dominate Klobuchar says Senate impeachment trial of former official is constitutional: 'We have precedent' MORE (D-Minn.): KLOW-buh-shar
Rep. Jim Langevin (D-R.I.): LAN-juh-vin
Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-Mo.): LUKE-tuh-my-ur
Rep. Mike Michaud (D-Maine): MISH-oh
Rep. Randy NeugebauerRobert (Randy) Randolph NeugebauerCordray announces he's leaving consumer bureau, promotes aide to deputy director GOP eager for Trump shake-up at consumer bureau Lobbying World MORE (R-Texas): NAW-guh-bow-ur
Rep. Tom PetriThomas (Tom) Evert PetriKeep our elections free and fair Break the cycle of partisanship with infant, child health care programs Combine healthcare and tax reform to bring out the best in both MORE (R-Wis.): PEE-try
Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Calif.): ROAR-uh-bock-ur
Rep. Nydia Velázquez (D-N.Y.): Veh-LAW-skes