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Massachusetts is where American history meets aggressive driving, and the accents are thicker than clam chowdah. From the Cape to Worcester (pronounced Wuh-stah, thank you), Bay Staters have a language all their own—equal parts sarcasm, sports rage, and Dunkin’ dependency. If you’ve ever threatened someone with a “wicked pissah” of a storm or called a rotary your natural habitat, this one’s for you.
1. “Bang a uey.”
Translation: Make a U-turn. Often illegally, always confidently.
2. “It’s wicked cold out.”
“Wicked” is the universal intensifier. Wicked hot, wicked loud, wicked traffic—it works for everything.
3. “We’re goin’ down the Cape.”
No need to say Cape Cod. Everyone knows. Pack the cooler and don’t forget the toll money.
4. “You park ya cah at Hahvahd Yahd?”
No one actually does this. It’s just how we test if you’re from here or a tourist.
5. “Dunkies run?”
There’s one on every corner, and no situation can’t be solved with a large iced regular.
6. “The Sox blew it again.”
Said every year, even when they win. We thrive on controlled disappointment.
7. “It’s not a sub, it’s a grindah.”
If you say “hoagie,” we’ll assume you’re from Philly and immediately distrust you.
8. “Rotary ahead, good luck.”
Merging into a Massachusetts rotary is a full-contact sport. Blinkers are for cowards.
9. “Use ya blinka!”
Yelled by someone who also probably didn’t use theirs five minutes ago.
10. “Leaf peepahs are back.”
The annual invasion of out-of-staters clogging up scenic routes with cameras and confusion.
11. “I live in Western Mass.”
Translation: “No, I do not live in Boston. Please stop assuming all of Massachusetts is Boston.”
12. “I pahked by the dunks next to the packie.”
Meaning: I parked near the Dunkin’ Donuts next to the liquor store. It’s a sacred triangle.
If you’ve said at least half of these while yelling at a Patriots game in February snow, congrats—you’re Massachusetts to the bone. If not, spend a weekend navigating Boston streets without a GPS, develop strong opinions about Tom Brady, and learn to order coffee the right way. You’ll be speakin’ Masshole before you know it.
The post 12 Phrases You’ll Only Understand If You Live in Massachusetts appeared first on When In Your State.