how would a civilized (read Louisvillian) person say hook? First--with the same vowel sound as in put*; just one sylABle: huk. We're not far enough south to say hu-uk. That reminds me: I want to find the Food Channel online today and find the Alabama lady's recipe for marinated salmon w/ pineapple salsa; I'd like to fix that tonight. I love to listen to her talk!
*Not as in roof, but as in roof.

Woops--make that the Food Network, and Maple-Glazed Salmon with Pineapple Salsa.