Local and regional expressions

[Bob Denman]

What did you guys call a "couch"?

My Grandma Matzinger called them, "Davenports"...

[wyliec]

I hesitate to post this one that happened this morning.

Bob D,

You might enjoy this one, since you've met my gf before.

When I'm driving, and we are going to stop at a store, I usually ask my gf (when in front of the store)- Do you want me to let you off here? This morning she was driving and we went to Costco; when in front of the store, she said- Do you want me to get you off here? I think it may be an Asian thing? But, I said, we should wait till we get home.

[Dan McNally]

I'm sure our Canadian members could contribute to this list.

When I was growing up....

A napkin was called a serviette
A couch was called a chesterfield
Pants were trousers
Suspenders were braces
A vacation was a holiday
French fries were chips
Chips were crispers
Electricity was Hydro
A wrench was a spanner
An eraser was a rubber

[lwrydr]

My father moved to Chicago from Georgia in the 1920's. He was working in a gas station when a customer pulled up and he was from New England. They had to get a 3rd person so they could understand each other. That was was of his many funny stories.

[Bob Denman]

I hesitate to post this one that happened this morning.

Bob D,

You might enjoy this one, since you've met my gf before.

When I'm driving, and we are going to stop at a store, I usually ask my gf (when in front of the store)- Do you want me to let you off here? This morning she was driving and we went to Costco; when in front of the store, she said- Do you want me to get you off here? I think it may be an Asian thing? But, I said, we should wait till we get home.

That was a VERY kind and generous offer... Don't be so quick to dismiss it next time!

[Bob Denman]

Two nicely dressed ladies happened to start up a conversation during an endless wait in Los Angeles Airport.The first lady was an arrogant Californian woman married to a wealthy man. The second was a well-mannered elderly woman from the South.

When the conversation centered on whether they had any children, the California woman started by saying, "When my first child was born, my husband built a beautiful mansion for me."

The lady from the South commented, "Well, bless your heart."

The first woman continued, "When my second child was born, my husband bought me a beautiful Mercedes-Benz."

Again, the lady from the South commented, "Well, bless your heart."

The first woman continued, "Then, when my third child was born, my husband bought me this exquisite diamond bracelet."

Yet again, the Southern lady commented, "Well, bless your heart."

The first woman then asked her companion, "What did your husband buy for you when you had your first child?"

"My husband sent me to Charm School," declared the Southern lady.

"Charm School?" the first woman said, amazed, "Oh, my God! What on earth for?"

The Southern lady responded, "Well for example, instead of saying, "Who gives a ?" I learned to say, "Well, bless your heart!"

[spydaman60]

Or even a "Po' Boy"
Never heard of "Hoagies", until I ended up serving my Collegiate Sentence in Nu Joisey! Up here; you can call them Heroes or Subs...

it was always a grinder for me, up in nh!

[Pennyrick]

Apparently there have been a number of unexplained deaths of crows in the greater Boston area.

Over 250 crow carcasses have been examined to see if an outbreak of Avian Flu may be in the works.

After the autopsies, it was found the crows died from massive trauma but traces of blue, yellow, green and red substances were discovered on their beaks and wings. Analysis showed this to be paint and was traced back to diesel trucks but no automobiles.

Researchers then noted that crows have a warning system when they gather on the roadways to feast on carrion and road kill. One crow always stands guard while the others eat so that a warning can be called.

Apparently these crows from Boston can say "Caw" but are unable to say 'Truck'.

[Bob Denman]

[AppleSpyder]

What did you guys call a "couch"?

My Grandma Matzinger called them, "Davenports"...

We also called them davenports. When we were kids it was always breakfast, dinner, and supper. I was always confused when someone wanted to eat dinner at night...didn't know which meal they were discussing.

[ARtraveler]

We also called them davenports. When we were kids it was always breakfast, dinner, and supper. I was always confused when someone wanted to eat dinner at night...didn't know which meal they were discussing.

I remember davenports.

[PrairieSpyder]

Apparently there have been a number of unexplained deaths of crows in the greater Boston area.

Over 250 crow carcasses have been examined to see if an outbreak of Avian Flu may be in the works.

After the autopsies, it was found the crows died from massive trauma but traces of blue, yellow, green and red substances were discovered on their beaks and wings. Analysis showed this to be paint and was traced back to diesel trucks but no automobiles.

Researchers then noted that crows have a warning system when they gather on the roadways to feast on carrion and road kill. One crow always stands guard while the others eat so that a warning can be called.

Apparently these crows from Boston can say "Caw" but are unable to say 'Truck'.

[SDM]

Two nicely dressed ladies happened to start up a conversation during an endless wait in Los Angeles Airport.The first lady was an arrogant Californian woman married to a wealthy man. The second was a well-mannered elderly woman from the South.

When the conversation centered on whether they had any children, the California woman started by saying, "When my first child was born, my husband built a beautiful mansion for me."

The lady from the South commented, "Well, bless your heart."

The first woman continued, "When my second child was born, my husband bought me a beautiful Mercedes-Benz."

Again, the lady from the South commented, "Well, bless your heart."

The first woman continued, "Then, when my third child was born, my husband bought me this exquisite diamond bracelet."

Yet again, the Southern lady commented, "Well, bless your heart."

The first woman then asked her companion, "What did your husband buy for you when you had your first child?"

"My husband sent me to Charm School," declared the Southern lady.

"Charm School?" the first woman said, amazed, "Oh, my God! What on earth for?"

The Southern lady responded, "Well for example, instead of saying, "Who gives a ?" I learned to say, "Well, bless your heart!"

As a Southern Lady I can appreciate that!!

[Joe T.]

- - - - - -
Down here it's coke. As in "What type of coke to you want?" - - - - - - - -

Same in Texas when I was a kid. Two trade marked words had generic meanings:

"Momma, can I have a coke?"

"What kind do you want?"

"Dr. Pepper."




Also, Kleenex. Kleenex just meant tissue.


Another is the term 'Washateria.' That is what we called a laundromat. Never heard the word laundromat until much older.

Joe T.

Joe T.

[Joe T.]

What did you guys call a "couch"?

My Grandma Matzinger called them, "Davenports"...

Sofa.

Joe T.

[srwilli]

As a young NCO from the south I was transferred to Westover AFB, MA. It was summer so the family and I go to the local ice cream shop and I order a chocolate shake. You can imagine my surprise when I get a cup full of shaken chocolate milk.. I learned quickly that what I wanted was a frappe.. Who would'a guessed that one..

[ahh-cool]

sprinkles = jimmies

[AppleSpyder]

Another great one is "bubbler"....... in Wisconsin a water fountain is called a bubbler. I had no clue what a water fountain was.

[Bob Denman]

Sofa.

Did you buy it from Sofa King?

[Gray Ghost]

Another great one is "bubbler"....... in Wisconsin a water fountain is called a bubbler. I had no clue what a water fountain was.

I was stationed in Wisconsin some years ago. Right after I got there I overheard a couple of ladies in the office talking about going to the time machine Confused the heck out of me for awhile until I noticed that the ATM on post was labelled "Tyme"