The word “slovensko” can confuse you

Quiz time: what does the word “slovensko” mean? If you think it’s the Slovenian word for the Slovenian language, you win. But if you think it’s the Slovak word for Slovakia, you also win. That’s just one of the near-similarities between Slovenia and Slovakia that cause confusion for outsiders. Also potentially confusing: the similar flags, which both had red, white and blue stripes. And the fact that they’re both in the EU, both in NATO, both formerly part of Austria-Hungary, and both border Austria. Everyone from presidents of the United States to CNN and the New York Times have mixed up the two, and probably will for years to come.