A little tip - put a small pad of butter on the pan first, let it melt, and then spread it out. The pan will be the perfect temp for the eggs and it’ll make them a bit better.
Also, add a couple tablespoons of milk to the eggs. It will make them smoother and fluffier.
I’m also in the Midwest (Indiana) and have the opposite experience.
They might not be perfect homophones but you’re rarely using a full hard T sound. Usually something between a d and t sound.