To pronounce this street correctly

[wherethestreetshaveasillyname]

I just moved into small business premises locally and people have been asking for the address.

Now the street shares the name with a North American location that’s semi well-known in the UK - to avoid outing myself, let’s call it Illinois Street (it’s similar).

But every time I pronounce it (ill-ih-NOY street), I get blank looks. Then, when I describe the location, I get “ah you mean ill-ih-nwahh street!” and a raised ‘are you a bit stupid’ eyebrow.

What should I do?

A)keep saying it correctly

B) say it like everyone else seems to- but then look weird when I encounter someone who says it correctly

C) do as I am currently and long-windedly doing and say “oh it’s on Illinois Street, or, ill-i-nwa street as people seem to pronounce it round here.

(this is life-and-death and not at all lighthearted btw)

If you're from Reading you'll understand why I got laughed at for pronouncing Streatley as I would pronounce Streatham. (also for spelling High Wycombe as High Wickham because I'd only heard it spoken not seen it written.)

I imagine Isleworth is ripe for mispronunciation.

lol, yes I can imagine how Sret-ley went down in Streetley.
They're dead posh, there :)

I used to live near a Chevening Road in South London.

The place in Kent it is named for is pronounced Cheev-en-ing.

All the locals called the road Shev-ning Road.

Stick with the way the locals say it.

Not if you come from Goring!