Midwest US English: English Vocabulary List

(Midwestern US) to clean or wash something

"I need to worsh clothes."

"She decided to worsh the car herself instead of taking it to the automatic car wash today."

(Minnesota, Upper Midwest) a baked casserole typically containing a starch, meat, and vegetables

"The hotdish was full of tater tots."

"The church potluck featured a tuna hotdish with crispy potato chip topping and cream of mushroom soup."

(Wisconsin, parts of the Midwest) a drinking fountain

"The child drank from the bubbler."

"In Wisconsin drinking fountains were called bubblers regardless of their actual manufacturer."

(Minnesota, Upper Midwest) an exclamation expressing surprise, frustration, exhaustion, or exasperation

"Oofta! That was a big mistake."

"Oofta! That was a big mistake. I should have been more careful and paid closer attention to what I was doing."

(Chicago) the front room of a house or apartment, typically used for entertaining guests

"The family sat in the frunchroom."

"The family only used the frunchroom for special occasions keeping the good furniture covered in plastic."

(Upper Midwestern US) to take something along with you

"Take with food for best results."

"You should take this medicine with food to avoid an upset stomach."

(Upper Midwestern US) to bring someone or something along with you

"Bring with your identification card."

"Please remember to bring with you a valid photo identification when you come to the examination center."

(Chicago, Upper Midwest) Lake Michigan, especially in reference to its shoreline along Chicago

"They went to the Lake for vacation."

"Chicago residents referred to Lake Michigan simply as the Lake as if no other lakes existed."

(Chicago, Upper Midwest) the elevated train system serving downtown and surrounding areas

"She took the L to work."

"The L train screeched around the elevated track as it carried commuters through the Loop."

(Chicago) a determined, hardworking, and loyal person

"The grabowski lived next door."

"The Polish immigrant family changed their name from Grabowski to a more American sounding surname."

(Chicago) a garage key, spelled in eye dialect to reflect local pronunciation

"She lost her grachki."

"He couldn't get into the garage because he misplaced his grachki."

(Midwestern US) a carbonated soft drink

"He ordered a pop with his pizza."

"In the Midwest people called any carbonated soft drink pop rather than soda or coke."

(Upper Midwestern US) to accompany or join someone or something

"She will come with us."

"Would you like to come with us to the concert this evening, or do you have other plans?"

(Chicago, Upper Midwest) a vacant lot or undeveloped piece of land, often in an urban area

"Look at the prairie."

"The city plans to develop the empty prairie into a new public park."