Exit 14A. New Joisey the "Garden State"

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d'Gahdn'stet

The dirty Jerz...

What an interesting thread - being born and raised in Jersey (which is how I call it) and working all over the country, it's interesting to hear what our rep is - which isnt always about the industrial wasteland/worst crime filled cities that typically fill the media.
When I went to school at Rutgers you had this alignment/pride for what part of Jersey you resided - North, Central, or South Jersey - and then have discussions over what the differences were with the accents, people, etc - it did make time pass by, but really the only (what I believe to be) true difference was that Central/North Jerseyians have more hectic lifestyles assoicated with NYC vs the South Jersey folks who tend to live a more easy-going lifestyle. Does it matter at the end of the day? Not really - but it makes for starting up conversations with
There's also some interesting quirks about Jersey - in discussions with others from outside Jersey, the most common remarks I get are (in this order):
- where's your accent?
- what exit off the turnpike/parkway are you from?
- how far from the city (NYC) are you?
- did you go to Rutgers? I hear that's such a great school (remember, this coming from ppl outside the state, not inside!)
Anyway, to sum it all up, Jersey does have a better rep from ppl outside the state than ppl who are born and raised inside the state - plus, there arent many other places I know where great cities, good beaches, good hiking, good skiing, great shopping, and good schools are all within a few hours reach

New Jersey

I call it "where I grew up" or just Jersey. (and no, I didn't go to Rutgers, wayyyy to close to home - I grew up 15 mins down the road) - and yes, when asked where in NJ - I say the exit # of the turnpike - (my husband on the other hand also grew up in NJ but near the Parkway & is absolutely clueless when it comes to the Turnpike!)

LOL, I call it Jersey. I have only been there once and I live in CA, for what that's worth.

I call NJ a place that is probably pretty good once you leave the G.D. Turnpike!

Nothing is worse than those armpit rest stop/gas station/fast-food strip-mall places on the NJ turnpike.

Last time I drove the NJ Turnpike I just got on near the Big Apple and never stopped until Delaware. That was the way to go!

I just loved reading this thread and I have to admit I do get very annoyed when I tell people I am from New Jersey and they say, "Oh, you mean Joisey". I always respond and repeat it again and say, "No, I said New Jersey, not Joisey". In my 35 years of living in NJ, I don't know anyone from NJ that pronouces it like Joisey except the people who try to make a joke about it.

"The light at the end of the tunnel." That realization is depressing.

I live in NJ and have lived her for a good 20 years or so. The rule of thumb is that people from NJ refer to the state as "New Jersey", folks from outside the state refer to it as "Jersey", "Joisey".

NJ to NJ - say what county you're from

There used to be an SNL skit (back with Joe Piscopo):
"You're from Joysey"
"I'm from Joysey"
"What exit?"

I think that's where it started

http://www.joepiscopo.com/whatexit.pdf

STW, your 8:54 pm post is dead on!

Cmt, I say "New Jersey," with the correct enunciation, although there is a slight southern drawl involved. ;-)

Born and raised in Staten Island in sight of Bayonne Bridge. Always called it "Jersey" and called SI "Stat Nyland" so there you go.

I have lived in "Jersey" for 41 years. That's what I call it. I dont get how people can get insulted over that. Lighten up!!

My husband is from NJ and I can't repeat what he calls it, the initials are NFJ.

What do I call it? Where my husband used to work! (while we lived in CA)

I think one or two kids said "Joisey", Freshman year in college 1979! It's a Saturday night live reference that dates you if you use it. I lived in NJ until I was 25 (with 1-2 years outside of the country) from then on I live in NYC (3 years in HI). I have never heard anyone else say joisey. So I am not sure what you are talking about when you say regional expression, its not. I suspect its just older people on this board cracking a funny or attempting?

I call it have New Jersey.

Very entertaining thread and so happy it popped back after a 2-year holiday! Reminded me of a very nice South Carolina couple we met on our honeymoon...

S.C.: So where're y'all from?
Me: New Jersey.
S.C.: Oh! New JOISEY!
Me: Y'all????

Born and bred a Jersey girl, I've always called it New Jersey EXCEPT if I'm in the city (that's NYC) and a New Yorker asks where I'm from...then I reply, "over in Jersey."

I distinguish myself as being from North Jersey for whatever reason.

My brother says "wudder" but I don't.

My family rents a house "downtheshore" every summer.

My FIL, who grew up in Newark and Clifton, drops the t's in "bottle" and similar words.

Oh, and I call northeastern Pennsylvania "Pennsy" but I don't know why...

Thanks for the laughs!

Christina
Exit 153

Honestly, I don't ever recall anyone calling NJ, "Joisey". Having been born, raised and still living in NJ, I am from New Jersey not Jersey.

I remember during my first trip to London, I was in line waiting to get into the Tower of London, when the woman behind me said "I can tell where you're from by your accent. You're from Philly". I said "No, actually I'm from New Jersey about 45 mins way and across the Delaware". She replied "close enough".