The United States is massive, which means that while almost everybody who lives there speaks English, there are still differences in how certain things are called.
Slang terms vary for each state, and if you love to travel, then these facts should help you navigate your way.
They may be confusing at first, but learning the local terms can be of big help. So read on and see if you’re familiar with some of these.
Alabama
In Alabama, “a ways” is a distance anywhere between 10 minutes to two hours in terms of travel time.
“Butter my butt and call me a biscuit” also means to express delight or surprise.
And a shopping cart could be called a “buggy.”
Alaska
“Bunny boots” are oversized insulated boots that keep feet warm when it gets cold.
Someone who just moved to Alaska is called a “cheechako”. The opposite of a cheechako is a “sourdough.”
The term “cheechako”, they say, originated during the gold rush era around the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Arizona
In Arizona, “chizhii” means rough or dry skin which looks similar to firewood. A “haboob” is a major dust storm.
The hotter temperatures mean you will need a “swamp cooler or swamp box,” which is like an “evaporative cooler”. Basically an air conditioner that uses evaporated water to cool and add moisture to the air around you.
Arkansas
In Arkansas, “bottoms” means bottomland, a flat, fertile land by a river. Arkansans say “bowed up,” taken from a snake that maneuvers its head before striking. The term refers to someone’s impatience or bad humor.
A “gallery” means that a house has a porch.
California
Californians describe something really good as “bomb.” Then there’s “hella,” which translates to “extremely” or “really”.
In Southern California, being stuck in traffic on a freeway means that a “Sig alert” will make the commute much longer.
Colorado
The derogatory term “gaper” refers beginner skiers from out of state since they get in the way on the slopes. Another term is “gaper gap” referring to a novice skier’s helmet and goggles.
Hopeful skiers driving up will be hoping for “pow-pow,” which is fresh snow or powder.
Connecticut
It’s pronounced as “ah-BEETZ”. An “apizza” is a Neapolitan-style pizza usually topped with clams or shrimp.
People living in the Hartford area refer to cigarette as a “boag”.
A garage or yard sale in Connecticut is referred to as a “tag sale”.
Delaware
Delaware’s coastal area is referred to as “the beach.” In the southern half, cauliflower is usually pronounced as “colley flare.”
Heavy rain in Delaware is called a “toad choker” or “frog strangler.”
Florida
A “bobo” in Florida is below average or just really basic.
When a Floridian says “dale”, which is pronounced DA-lay, they’re probably saying “bye”.It can also mean “come on” or “hurry up.”
Then “no-see-ums” are those little bugs that seem to be invisible.
Georgia
Someone from Georgia will say, “Get to gettin’” when it’s time to leave.
Saying “no cap” is a substitute for “no lie”, meaning they’re really telling the truth.
“That dog won’t hunt” means that the person talking is very suspicious of what he just heard.
Hawaii
Food in Hawaii is called “grinds”, with really delicious ones as “ono grinds.”
Look for the restroom by asking for the “lua”.
The continental 48 states are called “the mainland.”
Idaho
Idaho has a condiment which is a mixture of ketchup and mayonnaise called “fry sauce.”
A glove compartment of a car is called the “jockey box.”
Those cute, furry, burrowing animals we know as prairie dogs are called “whistle pigs.”
Illinois
Sneakers are “gym shoes” regardless of whether they are used in the gym or not.
“LSD” is not a hallucinogen, but an abbreviation for Lake Shore Drive. It’s the road in Chicago that goes by Lake Michigan.
And if something costs a “sawbuck,” that means it costs $10.
Indiana
Be careful using the term “Hoosier” since others will think you’re calling them a redneck. The word comes from the poem “The Hoosier’s Nest” which was written in 1833 by Indiana native John Finley.
Anything surprising or silly will have someone exclaiming “ope!” which is just like “oops” and “uh-oh.”
Potluck dinners in Indiana are referred to as a “pitch-in dinner.”
Iowa
If someone’s “got the holler tail” then they are in a really bad mood.
A “parking ramp” is your actual garage.
And when you get a wedgie in Iowa, it’s called a “snuggie.”
Kansas
Saying “shucky darn” may sound like a term of disappointment, but that really means “wow!”
“That’s nice” could mean someone from Kansas really doesn’t give a damn.
And a chicken isn’t a chicken. It’s a “yardbird.”
Kentucky
The phrase, “Be careful” can also mean good-bye.
If a Kentuckian asks, “Do what?”, that means you have to repeat what you just said.
Then if someone says, “I think your wig’s a little loose”, that means you’re spaced out.
Louisiana
Louisianans will say they will be “going by” your house when coming to visit.
People there don’t have a good time, instead they “pass a good time.”
When a Louisiana asks, “Where y’at?” they’re asking how you are or how it’s going. The appropriate response is to say, “Awrite.”
Maine
To a Mainer, “bazz on” means that someone is drunk.
And a “bug” isn’t an insect, it’s a lobster.
If someone is “numb,” that just means the person is dumb or stupid.
Maryland
A teenager from Maryland will say “bet” when signaling agreement.
A “bop” is a measurement of distance. That’s going a little further than intended.
Marylanders call a male crab “Jimmy,” while a female crab is a “Sally” or “Sook.”
Massachusetts
“Pisser” is actually Massachusetts slang for awesome, so don’t mistake it for a restroom.
A submarine sandwich or hoagie is called a “grinder” in the western part of the state.
A “rotary” in Massachusetts is a roundabout in other states.
Michigan
A Michigan winter will have you looking for “choppers.” Those are deerskin mittens with a wool mitten insert to keep your hands warm.
In Detroit, a lot of “chicken,” means having lots of money.
If you hear a Michigander talk about “superman,” they may mean ice cream and not the superhero.
Minnesota
When a Minnesotan asks a person to lend them something, they will say “borrow me”. For example, “Can you borrow me $10?”
Minnesotans will also say, “Dontcha know?” to be sure that they were really heard.
And when something is adorable, they say it is “fer cute.”
Mississippi
When someone says, “ain’t got the sense God gave a piss ant”, that just means they’re acting very stupidly.
And if something is “finer than frog’s hair,” then whatever that is must be really fine.
If someone is cravin’ “some nabs,” that means peanut butter crackers.
Missouri
To a Missourian, someone “jeffin” means that person is being helpful to someone they don’t like.
A Missourian is “put out” when he is angry.
And they use a “sack” instead of a grocery bag.
Montana
If something costs “a buck ninety-eight,” that means it is expensive. And a “chicken foot” is a road that goes off in three different directions.
A “ditch” means adding water to an alcoholic drink. So whiskey and water would be “whiskey ditch.”
“Cowboy caviar” is bull calf testicles breaded and fried.
Nebraska
“Detasseling” is when they tear off the wavy tops of corn stalks.
A “farmer wave” is when one raises his index and middle fingers from the steering wheel to give a friendly greeting to others.
Nebraskans also love their “red beer”. That’s beer with tomato juice or hot sauce.
Nevada
“Burners” are those who come to the yearly Burning Man Festival that takes place in the Black Rock Desert.
“Whales” are wealthy gamblers who don’t mind losing thousands on a single craps roll.
A “pigeon” is a desperate attempt to turn gambling losses into a win.
New Hampshire
“The Old Man” is a series of granite cliffs in the White Mountains that resembles a man’s face (“The Old Man of the Mountains”). Those cliffs no longer exist since they collapsed in May 2003.
Porcupines are called “quill pigs.”
And “X-Y-Z” means you should make sure your fly isn’t open. That’s an abbreviation for “examine your zipper.”
New Jersey
When someone is going “down the shore”, that means they’re headed to the beach.
Someone from the eastern part of the state will say something like “Exit 4” when asked where they live. That’s a reference to the freeway exit nearest to their home.
A “jughandle” is the part of a traffic circle where drivers can make left turns.
New Mexico
New Mexicans will often say “orale wey” at the beginning of sentences. That could mean anything so don’t bother asking.
The covered front or back porch of a house is called a “portal.”
Restaurant servers may ask, “Red, green or Christmas?” You have to choose between red, green, or both types of chile.
New York
In New York, going to “cop” something means they are going to buy it. If someone or something is “deadass,” that means it is serious.
In Upstate New York, a “fire barn” is another term they use for a fire station.
North Carolina
Often used to describe women, an attractive person is a “dime”, though it can be used to describe men too.
Outsiders or tourists can be calleed “dingbatter”.
If a North Carolinian thinks they may be able to do it but isn’t totally sure, then they “might could” do it.
North Dakota
For North Dakotans, a prairie dog is a “flickertail”.
A “shelter belt” is a windbreak, or a row of trees planted between fields so they can block the wind.
“Uff da!” is a phrase from the first Norwegians who immigrated to North Dakota. It’s used for a range of emotions.
Ohio
In Ohio, “hollin’” is an insult meaning someone can’t back up his tough words. They may also say “put that up” instead of “put that away.”
Saying “you’re fine” just means “no problem” or “no worries.”
Oklahoma
When someone offers you “calf fries”, those are deep fried bull testicles. Which were probably stored in an “icebox” (refrigerator).
If someone is “packin’”, that means they have a gun on them.
Oregon
When someone in Portland says, “The mountain is out,” that means it’s a beautiful, sunny day. So go find a “pod”. That refers to a bunch of outdoor food carts.
And if something is “spendy,” that means it is probably expensive.
Pennsylvania
People in Pennsylvania will say something “needs washed,” as compared to it “needs to be washed.” And if someone makes a mess, theyll be told to “red it up” rather than clean it up.
Picky eaters might be referred to as a “Snoopy.”
Rhode Island
They have a milkshake called “awful awful” and it is anything but awful!
Rhode Islanders also love “coffee milk” which is just milk flavored with coffee syrup.
And in Providence, a drinking fountain is referred to as a “bubbler.”
South Carolina
When someone “chunks” something in South Carolina, that means they throw it. And you don’t turn on your car’s ignition, you actually “crank” it.
They also don’t turn or switch lights on or off, instead they “cut” them.
South Dakota
When a South Dakotan says something is “kattywampus” that means something is in a diagonal direction or confused.
A “tavern” isn’t a bar, it’s basically a sloppy joe.
What people call camper shells, South Dakotans call them a “truck topper.”
Tennessee
In Tennessee, a “toboggan” is actually a knit hat or beanie. And if a Tennessean is upset, they’re “tore up about it.”
And being mean is referred to as being “ugly.”
Texas
“The season” means football and not any of the four seasons. And “sorry” can be used as an apology but also as an insult like, “her sorry excuse of a brother.”
“Squeat” is a unique way for a Texan to say, “Let’s go eat.”
Utah
Salt Lake City finds itself polluted with air stuck in the valley at times. They call this an “inversion.” And in Utah, if you “sluff” that means you ditch or skip out.
A “ward” doesn’t refer to a part of a hospital. Instead, it is the term for a congregation of Mormons.
Vermont
A “dink” is a person who is a little slow or even mean. If a Vermonter calls someone a “flatlander,” that means the person is from somewhere else.
Being born in the state doesn’t make them a true Vermonter, or “just because a cat has her kittens in the oven don’t make them biscuits.”
Virginia
Coke or Pepsi, or any carbonated drink is simply called a “drink.”
In the Tidewater region of Virginia, they “make groceries” instead of buying them. And a “poke” is just a bag.
Washington
In Washington, a “pre-funk” is drinking before attending an event. That’s just short for pre-function.
“S.L.U.T.” stands for the South Lake Union Trolley. Not exactly what others think.
A “web-footer” is not a duck, but rather the natives of Seattle.
West Virginia
In West Virginia, Coke is often called a “co-cola.”
A “peck” is a large amount of anything.
And if something or somewhere is close by, it is “pert near.”
Wisconsin
Wisconsin residents call a water or drinking fountain a “bubbler.”
Wisconsinites will also ask, “Do you wanna come with?” while leaving off the “me” or “us” at the end of the question.
If you are asked, “How’s by you?” the proper response would be, “Fair to middlin’.”
Wyoming
If someone is attracted to rodeo cowboys then they are called a “buckle bunny.”
Wyoming residents will say “couple two three” meaning a few.
Telling someone they “look like 10 miles of dirt road” means that person doesn’t really look too good.
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