The United States is a diverse place in terms of culture, heritage, politics, religion, and even dialects of the English language. Here are 17 phrases to help you navigate the linguistic and political landscape.
Fake News
This phrase has been used to discredit news outlets and divide the nation on what’s real and what’s not. Though it goes back to probably the 1800s, it made its resurgence during the Trump presidency. He uses the phrase to accuse mainstream media of making up lies about him, while others use it to counter statements he’s made. What is real anymore?
Rotary, Traffic Circle, and Roundabout
While we’re talking in circles, these circular intersections can cause great confusion for novice and expert drivers alike, as in the case of D.C.’s DuPont Circle. The term “roundabout” is used in the South and West; the East Coast prefers “traffic circle,” and a less-common word choice is “rotary,” used in parts of the Northeast.
Cancel Culture vs. Call-Out Culture
The term cancel culture is about public out-cry for someone to lose their platform, job, or even face prosecution. The term was coined in the late 2010s and early 2020s and is mostly seen as a negative phrase. The more positive verbiage is call-out culture; this is when someone comments on why they think what you did is problematic but aren’t looking for further repercussions. Bring on the debate about whether the public can call for someone to lose their social media because they disagree with them.
Y’all, You Guys, Yinz, Youse
The plural of “you” is “you,” so Americans took it upon themselves to make it clear when we’re talking to more than one “you.” The South won the popularity competition with the famous “y’all,” which is short for “you all.” Though “y’all” is sewn on pillows and mimicked across the globe, most Americans say “you guys,” where “guys” is gender-neutral. Then we have the “youse” of Philadelphia and New York City, the “yinz” of Pittsburgh, and the “you’uns” of Appalachia.
Identity Politics
According to the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, identity politics means, “Rather than organizing solely around belief systems, programmatic manifestos, or party affiliation, identity political formations typically aim to secure the political freedom of a specific constituency.” They go on to say, “Identity politics as a mode of organizing is intimately connected to the idea that some social groups are oppressed.”
Caddy Corner, Catty Corner, and Kitty Corner
In the U.K., caddy corner is the term used for something diagonal. In most of the U.S., we agree on kitty corner, but there are those imperialist holdouts who pop up using catty corner.
“The 1%” vs. “The 99%”
Popularized by the Occupy Wall Street movement, the terms are meant to differentiate the rich from the rest of the country. Call it the modern-day bourgeoisie and proletariat.
Sneakers vs. Tennis Shoes
Athletic or casual rubber-soled shoes are known as “tennis shoes” in the majority of the U.S., but if you’re from the Northeast, you would say “sneakers.” And if you’re cool, you would rock “kicks.”
Firefly vs. Lightning Bug
We caught them and put them in jars with holes in the top during the summer—our own little nightlights. The University of Cambridge asked 10,000 Americans what they’re called, and “roughly 40% of respondents used both terms interchangeably, 30% said ‘firefly,’ and the remaining 30% said ‘lightning bug.’ ‘Firefly’ was most popular in the western half of the country, while ‘lightning bug’ dominated parts of the Midwest, the South, and the Mid-Atlantic.”
Hoagies, Subs, Grinders, Poor Boys, Heroes
“Sub” or “submarine” is the most common term for a long sandwich, though the state of Pennsylvania will fight that it’s a “hoagie.” In New York, you’ll hear “hero,” and New England prefers “grinders.” And finally, in New Orleans, you’ll find the “Poor Boy” or “Po’boy.”
Nips/Shooters/Singles/Airplane Bottles
Airplane bottles are the tiny bottles of alcohol commonly found on airplanes and in hotel mini-bars. In most places, you’ll hear them referred to as “minis” or “airplane bottles.” In the Northeastern U.S., they’re also known as “nips,” “shooters,” and “singles.”
“Pro-life” vs. “Pro-choice”
Abortion is a hot topic that divides people by religious beliefs, political alliances, gender, and morals (the writer is not saying one choice is more moral than the other). “Pro-lifers” tend to be more religious, have more conservative voting, and often come from more rural communities. “Pro-choicers” are frequently more liberal and secular and come from more urban areas.
I-95, The I-5
The West Coast calls large thoroughfares “freeways,” while the rest of the U.S. is more likely to say “highways.” In Chicago, as in Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Miami, and Atlanta, you’ll drive on the “expressway.” But the difference that I always notice is that Californians have to say “the” before the highway name, such as “The I5.”
Gravy
America is a mixing bowl of gravy. To the majority of the country, gravy is a thick sauce often made from thickening meat broth or as a white country gravy made from milk in the South. In parts of New York and New Jersey, Italian Americans use “gravy” to describe tomato sauce cooked with multiple Italian meats.
Water Fountains/Bubblers
Public water faucets for drinking are called “water fountains” in the East, “drinking fountains” in the West, and most uniquely “bubblers” in Wisconsin and part of New England because New England always has to be different.
“Black Lives Matter,” “Blue Lives Matter,” “All Lives Matter”
“Black Lives Matter” is a movement highlighting systematic racism and racial disparities against Black people in America. “All Lives Matter” and “Blue Lives Matter” are counter phrased to either dismiss or downplay racial disparities and also to show support for law enforcement, which is often in opposition to Black Lives Matter.
Soda, Pop, and Coke
I didn’t come to start a war: pop vs. soda is a feud as old as time. “Soda” is the most popular term for the sweetened carbonated beverage and is used in the North, California, and Florida. “Pop” is what you would ask for if you want a sugar rush in the Midwest, and in the South, everything is a Coke, including Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Dr. Pepper, and Mountain Dew.
READ MORE
Have you ever wondered what men really think or do? Then look no further. A recent internet survey asked, “What are some ‘guy secrets’ girls don’t know about?” Here are the top 16 answers:
16 THINGS MEN KNOW (BUT WILL NEVER REVEAL TO THE LADIES)
19 THINGS WE DO IN SECRET THAT ARE MORE COMMON THAN YOU THINK
Anyone who says they don’t have an unhealthy, embarrassing, or time-wasting habit is lying. We all have them, and some really aren’t great for us. Let’s look at 19 guilty habits that we should really stop indulging in.
19 THINGS WE DO IN SECRET THAT ARE MORE COMMON THAN YOU THINK
BOOMERS HAVE SPOKEN: 18 TRADITIONS THEY WANT TO UPHOLD BUT GEN Z SAYS “NEED TO GO”
As boomers fondly clutch onto practices that evoke nostalgia, Gen Z is at the next counter, eagerly trading in the old for a dash of modern sparkle. From handwritten notes to digital memos, from piggy banks to digital wallets—the dance between ‘then’ and ‘now’ has never been more lively. Join us as we explore 18 traditions that boomers want to uphold but Gen Z says need to go.
BOOMERS HAVE SPOKEN: 18 TRADITIONS THEY WANT TO UPHOLD BUT GEN Z SAYS “NEED TO GO”
18 BABY BOOMER SLANG PHRASES THAT MAKE MILLENNIALS SCRATCH THEIR HEADS
While it’s easy for younger generations to feel like they’re steeped in slang, Boomers know that some of the best phrases have been passed down for years. Think you’re hip to all of them? Read on for 18 popular phrases of Baby Boomer slang.
18 BABY BOOMER SLANG PHRASES THAT MAKE MILLENNIALS SCRATCH THEIR HEADS