There are some words and phrases that sound like a foreign language here in Massachusetts. Don’t get us wrong – it’s not like natives don’t really understand what these words mean. It’s just that we have our own, special Bay State lexicon that feels much more natural.
1. Hot Dish
If you say you're going to bring a "hot dish" to dinner, we'll probably ask: "a hot dish of what?" We call them casseroles here.
2. I-90
Oh, you mean The Pike.
3. Drinking fountain
We grab a quick drink from the bubbler here, usually pronounced "bubblah."
4. Thong
If you say you're going to slap a pair of thongs on, we're going to look at you with alarm. We'll also breathe a heavy sigh of relief when you emerge wearing flip flops.
5. Roundabout
At this point, we've become used to our GPS programs telling us to "take the second exit at the roundabout." But we still know in our hearts that it means the rotary.
6. Chocolate sprinkles
Why use two words when "jimmies" works just as well? Even better, actually. That way, we know "sprinkles" always refers to the rainbow kind.
7. Super
We don't say someone is "super intelligent"...we say they're "wicked smaht."
8. Basement
Here in Massachusetts, you head downstairs to the cella'.
9. Milkshake
We call a blended ice cream beverage a "frappe" here. Unless you really just want a shaken glass of flavored milk...
10. Pop
This one is classic, but true. "Pop" just sounds a little quaint and contrived around the Bay State.
11. Liquor Store
Heading to the package store, or "packie" is an errand you're likely to run in Massachusetts.
12. Turn Signal
We actually have never heard of this one, but it probably has something to do with that "blinkah" we've heard so much about.
13. Chicken Skin
That word is so alien that it gives us goosebumps.
14. Shopping Buggy
We call them shopping carts, but "buggy" is pretty cute.
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