Local/Regional Sayings

[kuhio98]

I thought it might be interesting to learn about local and regional sayings and phrases. You know? Things they say in your area that might be different elsewhere. For example:

From here to Timbuktu: This saying is usually means someplace far away or a long way to go. I think I heard it started in the Western World when Timbuktu (in Africa) was about the farthest place that had been explored by Europeans. I have a friend from Rumania who told me that their saying for this sort of things is ~ From here to Honolulu. Because to them (at least at one time), Honolulu was the farthest, most exotic, place they had heard of.

So here are some that we say in Alaska. They may also be used elsewhere, but I had never heard of them until I moved up here.

Lower 48: The 48 Contiguous United States. Hawaii doesn't count because it's not contiguous. We say, "Oh, he's from someplace in the Lower 48".

Outside: Any other place other than Alaska. See Alaska is the end all, be all. Any other place is "Outside". You might say, "We're planning a trip Outside." Which means you are leaving Alaska. Doesn't matter if you're going to "The Lower 48" or the Moon. You're going Outside.

So, how about your area?

[JenBKR]

hmm we have several here in western PA. One that comes to mind is 'yuns,' kind of our version of y'all. "Are yuns going to the party?"

Also chipped ham. I just recently learned that you can't go into a store and order chipped ham just anywhere, it's a western PA thing. It's ham lunch meat, chipped up

"Pop" is another, I know most places it's called "soda" but not here!

[Miss Z]

Oh my gosh, there are loads! And you need to hear how they're pronounced to get the full effect, but here are some...

eighup! (hi!)
trouble a'mill (there'll be trouble)
Ah y'reet? (you OK?)
Ah'm reet jiggered (I'm worn out)
On yer bike! (go away!)
A shut meawth keeps flies awt (keep your mouth shut and you'll stay out of trouble)

And one of my all time personal favourites (this is even in a book it's so good)

Tha go'a face lak a constipated blud'ownd!
(For God's sake, smile and cheer up!)

[Laura's Babies]

Here is Louisiana..."AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEEEEEEEEEEEEE!" It is just something you yell when you are having a wonderful time! The "AAAA's" are a lower note, the "EEEEEE's" is done in a higher note.

I know you all know the differance between a Yankee and a Da**** Yankee?
A Yankee is the one who comes to visit, the da****Yankee stays!

My sisters husband is a da*****Yankee but we made a true grit out of him! Yessirrie, he even likes da grits.... and it is true what dae say about de south, you order breakfast and dae really do put da grits on da plate.

[Maresche]

That State up North..Most Ohioans are rabid OSU fans and OSU's primary rival (footballwise) is Michigan. So we don't refer to Michigan by it's name. It is just that state up north.

[Lizzie]

I'm from Derbyshire but we moved to Leicestershire when I was ten, and that's when I first heard "eyup" for hello. I never liked it and never used it, but my brothers loved using it all the time.

"Nesh" is a word I haven't heard used anywhere else. It means someone who feels chilled very easily. So, if someone slips on a cardie when it drops from 75F to 73F, they are nesh.

"You daft 'apporth" is an expression I got from my step-mother, and I still use it. Since a halfpenny isn't worth much, it's a double insult.

[Glacier]

Outside is used here too. If you are leaving the Yukon and going anywhere except Alaska, you are going "outside". Alaska and the other two Territories don't count as Outside!

I imagine these two are probably used in Alaska too...If you are new to the North and have not yet lived here for a full year(including one full winter), you are a "cheechako". Once you survive a full year, you are a "sourdough".

[Cinder & Smoke]

... here in western PA ...

Ya mean Picksburgh, don'cha?


We moved to Pittsburgh, PA, when I was about 5 years old ...
and I learned Pittsburgese as my Native Language!

Wherever I go, people say "You talk funny - are you from Pittsburgh?"

How funny?
Check out this web site >>> http://www.pittsburghese.com/

I've prolly used most of the Phrases, Nouns, Verbs, and Places listed in the
Glossary - and STILL use some of em!

[JenBKR]

Ya mean Picksburgh, don'cha?


We moved to Pittsburgh, PA, when I was about 5 years old ...
and I learned Pittsburgese as my Native Language!

Wherever I go, people say "You talk funny - are you from Pittsburgh?"

How funny?
Check out this web site >>> http://www.pittsburghese.com/

I've prolly used most of the Phrases, Nouns, Verbs, and Places listed in the
Glossary - and STILL use some of em!

Oh yes, Picksburgh indeed! I'll have to check out that site, as I am sure there are many I know. We certainly have our own language, don't we

[kuhio98]

I imagine these two are probably used in Alaska too...If you are new to the North and have not yet lived here for a full year(including one full winter), you are a "cheechako". Once you survive a full year, you are a "sourdough".

Yep! A cheechako is a new comer here too. And a sourdough is an old timer. People who have lived in Alaska for a long time but complain and grump about it are also called Sourdough's. But, "They are Sour on Alaska but don't have the Dough to leave."

Another saying is, "Happiness is a Texan going down the road with an Okie under each arm." That came about during the building of the Alaska pipeline when thousands of men from Texas and Oklahoma came up here to work. Lots of folks were upset because they felt that Alaskan residents (even if they didn't have the required skills) should have been hired first.

[Anita Cholaine]

Great thread!

There so many sayings in Argentina, but they wouldn't make sense if I translated them, anyways... I'll try to think of some that I can translate...

[kuhio98]

Here is Louisiana..."AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEEEEEEEEEEEEE!" It is just something you yell when you are having a wonderful time! The "AAAA's" are a lower note, the "EEEEEE's" is done in a higher note.

I know you all know the differance between a Yankee and a Da**** Yankee?
A Yankee is the one who comes to visit, the da****Yankee stays!

My sisters husband is a da*****Yankee but we made a true grit out of him! Yessirrie, he even likes da grits.... and it is true what dae say about de south, you order breakfast and dae really do put da grits on da plate.

Too funny! I guess it's all a matter of perspective. I met a lady in Galveston, Texas who refered to the American Civil War as "The War of Northern Aggression". She pronounced war as 'wa-wa".

[elizabethann]

All I can think of is:

Ya can't get there from here.

[JenBKR]

Does anyone else "read up" their room? Cheer for the "Stillers" football team? "Buy Sam a drink and get his dog one too!" No? It's a 'Burgh thang!


haha forgot one more: "Kennywood's open!" Don't ask me where it came from, but it means that your pants are unzipped (Kennywood is an amusement park 'round here)

[slick]

This is a way cool thread, eh?
I'm trying to think of some Canadian sayings, eh?