Midwest US English and West US English · English Slang: Cultural

(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."

(California, especially Southern California) a traffic alert or warning, typically issued for accidents or major congestion on freeways

"The SigAlert warned of a traffic jam."

"The SigAlert announced that three lanes would be closed for the next two hours due to an overturned truck."

(California) a sarcastic way to say "no," typically in response to an obvious or expected negative

"Yeah, no. That is not happening."

"Yeah, no. That is not happening, so do not even ask me because the answer is no."

a neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley

"North Hollywood is a neighborhood in LA."

"North Hollywood was a neighborhood in Los Angeles known for its arts district and residential streets."

the southern part of California, generally including Los Angeles, San Diego, and sometimes Santa Barbara

"Southern California has warm weather."

"Southern California had a Mediterranean climate with mild wet winters and warm dry summers."

the northern half of California, typically north of Monterey County, often associated with the San Francisco Bay Area

"Northern California has giant redwoods."

"Northern California was famous for its redwood forests foggy coastline and wine country."

(California, especially Bay Area) overly excited, energetic, or hyperactive

"The music is hyphy."

"The hyphy crowd jumped and waved their hands in the air to the fast paced Bay Area rap music."

(California, especially Bay Area) used to check if someone understands or agrees with what is being said

"Yadadamean? Do you understand what I mean?"

"Yadadamean? Do you understand what I mean? I feel like I am not explaining this very well."

(Hawaii) a steamed or baked pork bun, often filled with savory ingredients

"Manapua is a popular Hawaiian snack."

"The Hawaiian snack manapua was a steamed bun filled with sweet barbecue pork or other fillings."

(Hawaii) a placeholder word for a person, thing, or idea when the specific name is unknown or unnecessary

"Pass me da kine," he said."

"He asked for da kine at the hardware store and the clerk somehow knew he meant a specific screwdriver."

(Hawaii) food, especially a meal

"The local grindz are delicious."

"The local restaurant served ono grindz or delicious food that kept customers coming back for more."

(Hawaii) used to express agreement, understanding, or acknowledgment

"Shoots! Thanks a lot, my friend."

"Shoots! Thanks a lot, my friend. I really appreciate everything you have done for me today."