During the summer, a segway tour through my neighborhood rounds the street-corner of Cumberland and Bearden.

Upon approach, the tour guide makes the same joke within earshot of my living room.

“We’re going to turn right onto Bearden (‘Beard-en’) next, or maybe it’s supposed to be pronounced ‘Bear-den.’ We’ll find out soon enough.”

This quip is often met with nervous chuckles.

‘Bear-den’ is correct.