Vermont is full of interesting people, and our language choices certainly reflect our uniqueness. Take some of our words and phrases for example. Vermonters have their own expressions such as Jeezum Crow that leave out-of-staters scratching their head. This goes both ways too, for instance, soft serve versus creemees – we sometimes don’t get it.

Some of these phrases are generational and even people born here may not be familiar with a few of these sayings. And that’s OK! These are meant to be fun and make us smile thinking about how great Vermonters really are.

1. Flat land
Flickr/WickedVT
Flat land is not the same thing as a "flatlander." Flatlanders are people who aren't from Vermont.
2. Yard
Flickr/Mark Rasdall
Some people call the land around their homes a yard, but here it's a "dooryard."
3. Downtown
Flickr/Liz West
While others may call the town center downtown, we are fond of the term "downstreet."
4. OMG!
Flickr/Scuddr
Or as Vermonters say, "Jeezum Crow!"
5. Soft serve ice cream.
Flickr/churl han
Oh, did you mean creemee?
6. Rusty
Flickr/♦ Peter & Ute Grahlmann ♦
Some might conjure up rusted metal, but we are fond of Vermont comedian "Rusty DeWeez."
7. Early Spring
Flickr/Matthias Weinberger
Here in Vermont, it goes winter, "mud season," spring.

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8. Frozen maple syrup
Photo property of the author
We know it as "Sugar on Snow" and it's DELICIOUS!
9. Is this a woodchuck?
Flickr/HockeyDad77
Or is THIS a "woodchuck?"
Flickr/Lew (tomswift) Holzman
10. I swear to God!
Flickr/Michael Dolan
While the literal translation of "By the Jesus" would mean near a religious statue, some old school Vermonters are still partial to the phrase.
11. Champ
Flickr/Jenni Konrad
It's not short for Champion, rather, it's referring to the monster that may (or may not) live in Lake Champlain.
12. Heady
Flickr/Dave Wild
Heady doesn't translate to big head. It's referring to "Heady Topper," Vermont's favorite craft beer.
13. A sculpture?
Flickr/Sterling College
No way! This is some great "yard art!"
14. Checking out the foliage.
Flickr/Innisfree Hotels
Well, Jeezum Crow! That makes you a "leaf peeper!"

No matter how we say things, let’s not take ourselves too seriously. Be sure to love, laugh and be kind to others – three things Vermonters do best!

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