Funny, odd, or unique words or phrases you've heard while on vacation.
Apr 25th, 2003, 12:50 PM
#81
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This past January I was on the Eurostar from Paris to London and there were these two English businessmen sitting across the aisle from us. I was kind of eavesdropping on their conversation because one of the men had such a colorful way with words, I just couldn't help listening. I almost laughed out loud when he described something as "easy-peasy-lemon-squeezie". He sounded like Austin Powers even though he was this proper looking 50-ish gentleman.
Apr 25th, 2003, 01:21 PM
#82
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My hubby and I just retured from Dallas and he was just taken w/ the fact that when a waitress or waiter would be addressing the whole table it was Ya'lls (as in "How are ya'lls doing) and when addressing one person it's just ya'll (as in what can I get ya'll). Being in the alcohol business I find different state's liquor laws very interesting. Like the package liquor store where everything has to be bagged. I found the fact that in Texas you need a card (is that right) to purchase alcohol in some counties. Mesquite, where we stayed was dry i guess, and we needed my Aunt and Uncle to "sponsor" us when we went certain places to eat. At least, I think that's how I understood it.
Apr 25th, 2003, 01:35 PM
#83
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cassidy2002: The plural "y'alls" is a new one. I've lived out of the South for years now and still use "y'all" for singular and plural (and it properly should only be used for plural, but then again, my spoken grammar is pretty appalling).
The rest of your post is a bit confusing to me. Do you mean that the package liquor store bagged each bottol separately, or are you surprised that they bagged the liquor at all? And the "card" that you needed to buy liquor in another place-- do you mean that they required government-issued ID? Now, the relatives having to sponsor you to get a drink doesn't surprise me (it really amuses me, but I'm not too surprised). The concept of dry counties still makes me chuckle. Oh, that Demon Alkeehol!
The rest of your post is a bit confusing to me. Do you mean that the package liquor store bagged each bottol separately, or are you surprised that they bagged the liquor at all? And the "card" that you needed to buy liquor in another place-- do you mean that they required government-issued ID? Now, the relatives having to sponsor you to get a drink doesn't surprise me (it really amuses me, but I'm not too surprised). The concept of dry counties still makes me chuckle. Oh, that Demon Alkeehol!
Apr 25th, 2003, 04:04 PM
#87
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I always thought the plural of y'all was all y'all.
When we travelled from California to visit family in Tennessee one Christmas, several of my aunt's neighbors came over to meat us. They wanted to hear us say "you guys". As in "Hey you guys, come check this out." They laughed and laughed, thought it was the funniest thing.
That trip every where we went, people kept commenting "Y'all aren't from around here, are ya."
When we travelled from California to visit family in Tennessee one Christmas, several of my aunt's neighbors came over to meat us. They wanted to hear us say "you guys". As in "Hey you guys, come check this out." They laughed and laughed, thought it was the funniest thing.
That trip every where we went, people kept commenting "Y'all aren't from around here, are ya."
Apr 25th, 2003, 04:24 PM
#88
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Growing up in Baltimore, I learned when I went off to college that no one understood what I meant when I asked for "wooter." I had to relearn how to say water.
When I lived in Pittsburgh, people would say their car "needs washed" or the ice was "slippy." They would also say "yins" for "you", such as "what are yins doing?" I never got used to that one.
When I lived in New Orleans and ordered a po' boy (otherwise known as a sub), I would be asked if I wanted it "dressed." That threw me for a loop the first time. It means with mayonnaise, lettuce, and tomato.
Now that I'm living in Texas, I still haven't gotten used to the fact that people here refer to any kind of soda as a Coke. They also say that they're "waiting on" someone or something (meaning waiting for). I thought that's only what a waiter did.
But I sure got used to saying y'all really quickly. My kids, on the other hand, were genuinely surprised to find out that not everyone says y'all.
When I lived in Pittsburgh, people would say their car "needs washed" or the ice was "slippy." They would also say "yins" for "you", such as "what are yins doing?" I never got used to that one.
When I lived in New Orleans and ordered a po' boy (otherwise known as a sub), I would be asked if I wanted it "dressed." That threw me for a loop the first time. It means with mayonnaise, lettuce, and tomato.
Now that I'm living in Texas, I still haven't gotten used to the fact that people here refer to any kind of soda as a Coke. They also say that they're "waiting on" someone or something (meaning waiting for). I thought that's only what a waiter did.
But I sure got used to saying y'all really quickly. My kids, on the other hand, were genuinely surprised to find out that not everyone says y'all.
Apr 25th, 2003, 04:59 PM
#89
This thread is a lot of fun to read, and has reminded me of a colorful phrase that I heard when I lived in Myrtle Beach. A friend was describing the physical attributes of a young man, or rather the lack thereof, and she said "That boy has a bad case of the gone ass." Sorry for the indelicate language, but even 20 years later, that phrase still pops into my head!
Apr 25th, 2003, 05:10 PM
#90
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I am not sure if this term is unique to some parts of chicago but at the afterschool program I work in for kinds in transitional housing (mostly moving up from chicago) a lot of the kids always tell us staff "I gotta use it"
Use what? was the question I asked on my first day and the response I got to that was a kid replying "it" while doing the "i gotta pee" dance.
Use what? was the question I asked on my first day and the response I got to that was a kid replying "it" while doing the "i gotta pee" dance.
Apr 25th, 2003, 05:24 PM
#91
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speaking of peeing
A lot of europeans seem to say taking the piss (i think it refers to making fun of someone)
When I moved to Madison, Wi to go to school there were definetly some things that confused me. With in my first hour I was asked If I knew where the "time machine" was (later found out thie was actually spelled tyme (take your money everywhere) we just said ATM in Florida. Also, there was someone who asked me about the bubbler (water fountain). I think I maked my co-workers laugh for days when I was working in the donation closet and labeled all the snowsuits as "coats with pants" (like floridian's know about winter
)
A lot of europeans seem to say taking the piss (i think it refers to making fun of someone)
When I moved to Madison, Wi to go to school there were definetly some things that confused me. With in my first hour I was asked If I knew where the "time machine" was (later found out thie was actually spelled tyme (take your money everywhere) we just said ATM in Florida. Also, there was someone who asked me about the bubbler (water fountain). I think I maked my co-workers laugh for days when I was working in the donation closet and labeled all the snowsuits as "coats with pants" (like floridian's know about winter
)
Apr 25th, 2003, 05:56 PM
#92
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This is a fun thread.
On dinner/supper, my cousins, living in the rural south, used to have their main meal at noon. This was dinner. Everyone came, including the farmers in from the fields. Often there were 3 main courses, a few vegetables, ice tea, lemonade and a few desserts, as well. Supper was fairly late in the evening and light fare or left-overs. In fact, my cousins just scrounged the refrigerator and everyone ate at different times.
In the northwest, when Mt. Rainier is visible, the proper expression is "Mt. Rainier is out."
On dinner/supper, my cousins, living in the rural south, used to have their main meal at noon. This was dinner. Everyone came, including the farmers in from the fields. Often there were 3 main courses, a few vegetables, ice tea, lemonade and a few desserts, as well. Supper was fairly late in the evening and light fare or left-overs. In fact, my cousins just scrounged the refrigerator and everyone ate at different times.
In the northwest, when Mt. Rainier is visible, the proper expression is "Mt. Rainier is out."
Apr 25th, 2003, 08:37 PM
#93
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In Kansas, the Arkansas River is referred to as the ArKANSAS. Everyone I know also puts an "r" in the word wash, as in "warsh the dishes" or "Warshington DC". Even though I grew up here, it drives me crazy!
Apr 26th, 2003, 03:50 AM
#94
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Staying at a hotel in Cork, Ireland we booked an early morning call. At the appointed time the room phone rang, and I answered it bleary eyed. "Is that yourself?" a lovely lilting colleen voice asked. I said yes. "You'll not be needing a call then" She continued.
Don't you just love Ireland.
Don't you just love Ireland.
Apr 26th, 2003, 08:45 AM
#95
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No one replied to my DUTCH RUB question.
Anyone else use this term?
After 27 years in the South we still get meals confused. I have breakfast, lunch, dinner, and supper. Dinner is the meal around 6pm, with supper being a meal, not snack, around 9pm or later. Here my in-laws have breakfast, dinner and supper. I have to clarify what meal I mean when I say Ya'll come over for dinner!
Anyone else use this term?
After 27 years in the South we still get meals confused. I have breakfast, lunch, dinner, and supper. Dinner is the meal around 6pm, with supper being a meal, not snack, around 9pm or later. Here my in-laws have breakfast, dinner and supper. I have to clarify what meal I mean when I say Ya'll come over for dinner!
Apr 26th, 2003, 09:46 AM
#96
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In the Philippines you don't stand in line you "fall in line". Even the signs in department stores read "fall in line here". Also, being from San Francisco I still get confused when people refer to soda as "pop". I know must of the country does it but I am still not used to it.
Apr 26th, 2003, 10:51 AM
#97
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I've never heard the "ya'lls" either. Ya'll is the preferred plural form in the South. Maybe "ya'lls" is new to the Dallas area. Also, as another poster already noted, when you want a soft drink in the South, you ask for a coke, not pop or soda. And finally, we say stand "in line" not "on line."
Apr 26th, 2003, 12:09 PM
#98
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Arkansasnurse: My husband grew up in WI and was often given 'Dutch Rubs' by his gpa. He then passed them along to his children He said he grew up with the term, shrugged his shoulders and said "I don't know where it came from".
He said he grew up with the term, shrugged his shoulders and said "I don't know where it came from".
Apr 26th, 2003, 03:23 PM
#99
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Being from Michigan, I got a real kick out of some of the sayings when I spent some time in New Orleans. Rather than saying "I'm going to my mom's", they'd say "I'm goin' by mama's house", and going grocery shopping was "makin' groceries".
Also, in Ireland, 5:30, 8:30, etc. is "five half", "eight half", etc.
I love the uniqueness of different parts of the country/world!
Also, in Ireland, 5:30, 8:30, etc. is "five half", "eight half", etc.
I love the uniqueness of different parts of the country/world!
Apr 26th, 2003, 03:59 PM
#100
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While reading all of the messages, I just thought what a wonderful world we live in that we are not just the same. That we can enjoy the differences in our language. I live in Alabama and whenever traveling, people always guess Texas. I suppose people in Alabama do not travel beyond a 50 mile range. I love to hear different accents, New York, Florida and ect... We are a very blessed Nation. In the South we do say carry someone somewhere, to the store, ect. We also say supper for dinner. We say grocery store, (mainly wal-mart). I think we all live in a wonderful place.
