# Define your region (of the US) with a yes/no question **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 16, 2022, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/define-your-region-of-the-us-with-a-yes-no-question/966327 "2022-06-16T20:20:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2022, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/define-your-region-of-the-us-with-a-yes-no-question/966327/121 "2022-06-19T04:10:21Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Do you know what a Big Baby is? > Do you ever take your fries with mild sauce? I know tips and links, but what are those two? ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2022, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/define-your-region-of-the-us-with-a-yes-no-question/966327/122 "2022-06-19T04:22:22Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > When asking about a highway exit, we say “What Exit?” not “Which Exit?” > Yes=New Jersey > > Do you have traffic circles. > Yes=New Jersey > > Do you have jughandles? > Yes=New Jersey > > Can you pump your own gas? > No=New Jersey Can you go _to the beach_? No=New Jersey Can you go _down the shore_? Yes=New Jersey Can you get a submarine or hero sandwich? No=New Jersey Can you get a hoagie? Yes=New Jersey (I grew up in South Jersey) ---
**Author:** ![gkster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gkster/32/14107_2.png) [@gkster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gkster)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2022, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/define-your-region-of-the-us-with-a-yes-no-question/966327/123 "2022-06-19T04:25:04Z")
When you go to the store and there’s a line at the checkout counter, do you stand **on** line? Yes = NYC and burbs ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2022, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/define-your-region-of-the-us-with-a-yes-no-question/966327/124 "2022-06-19T05:27:14Z")
A Big Baby is a type of double cheeseburger originating on the Southwest Side of the city, usually at joints called Nicky’s. The prime example is at the Nicky’s at Austin & Archer, but the one at 58th & Kedzie also has an early version of it. Around my house, Jackie’s is also well-known for their big babies. They’re a type of double cheeseburger with one slice of cheese between the patties, lots of grilled onions, served on a sesame bun. No lettuce or tomato in what I would consider the canonical version of it, but I have seen a Nicky’s or two do it. I would consider it wrong, as the whole point of it is the greasy onions, and the rabbit food takes away from the experience. If you want to read more, [look here](https://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=2001), or if you want to hear WBEZ’s Curious City episode on it: [https://play.acast.com/s/curiouscity/46593860-eca0-11ec-86ef-8f368b3d6611](https://play.acast.com/s/curiouscity/46593860-eca0-11ec-86ef-8f368b3d6611) I grew up with the darned things. Some North Side joints started fancifying the things up. As to mild sauce, that’s more straight-up South Side, African-American community and businesses for the most part, like Harold’s Chicken and Uncle Remus, though BBQ joints will have it to. There doesn’t seem to be a singular recipe for it, but it’s basically ketchup, BBQ sauce (often Open Pit-based), and hot sauce mixed together.) [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/ZYX25_PI848/maxresdefault.jpg "Chicago's Delicious Mild Sauce Tradition || Food/Groups") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYX25_PI848) Several commercial versions of it exist now, but I’ve only seen it in the last couple of years or so. Harold’s now bottles and sells their own, for example. For more obscure foods on this side of the city, there’s also the “Jim Shoe” or “Jim Shoo” or “Gym Shoe,” [https://theculturetrip.com/north-america/usa/illinois/articles/everything-you-need-to-know-about-chicagos-gym-shoe-sandwich/](https://theculturetrip.com/north-america/usa/illinois/articles/everything-you-need-to-know-about-chicagos-gym-shoe-sandwich/) We also have the mother-in-law, a Tom Tom Tamale and chili in a hot dog bun with hot dog condiments; a humdinger, same with cheese also. Hell, if you know what a “Tom Tom” is, we know you’re from at least Chicago, if not the South Side (though they can be found across Chicago.) If “Steak and lemonade” rings a bell for you, you’re probably South Side (see: Baba’s Steak and Lemonade.) “Italian beef” is distinctly from the Chicago area, which I found out in college. A “combo” (Italian beef with Italian sausage), too. We have a type of giardiniera that is different than what you might be able to find nationally. Are “double dogs” a thing anywhere else? (Two hot dogs in one bun?) ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2022, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/define-your-region-of-the-us-with-a-yes-no-question/966327/125 "2022-06-19T06:12:40Z")
Can you drive on the road that inspired the song “Hot Rod Lincoln”? Yes = Idaho. The “Spiral Highway” in Lewiston, Idaho. No, _not_ Southern California. It’s a very steep, insanely curvy road. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2022, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/define-your-region-of-the-us-with-a-yes-no-question/966327/126 "2022-06-19T12:37:11Z")
Or they say Cali, or Frisco or San Fran, or Las Angle-eese. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2022, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/define-your-region-of-the-us-with-a-yes-no-question/966327/127 "2022-06-19T12:39:16Z")
> [@snowthx](#): > > Las Angle-eese. Bringing in a couple of keys. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2022, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/define-your-region-of-the-us-with-a-yes-no-question/966327/128 "2022-06-19T17:50:04Z")
Can you drive around your state and find a submarine sandwich called a hoagie, a torpedo, a bomber, a po’boy, a speidie, a hero, a Cuban, an Italian, or a wedge? Will you be mocked if you call it by the wrong name? Where else but New York? ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2022, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/define-your-region-of-the-us-with-a-yes-no-question/966327/129 "2022-06-20T13:44:11Z")
> [@Bonum\_Legatum](#): > > (Obviously for the lower peninsula’s mitten, but it “sort of” works for the upper peninsula as well.) Yep, left hand sideways above right hand, thumb sticking up becomes the Keewenau peninsula. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2022, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/define-your-region-of-the-us-with-a-yes-no-question/966327/130 "2022-06-20T13:54:44Z")
> [@solost](#): > > Yep, left hand sideways above right hand, thumb sticking up becomes the Keewenau peninsula. The UP resembles hands I’ve seen in the ER on the 4th of July. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2022, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/define-your-region-of-the-us-with-a-yes-no-question/966327/131 "2022-06-20T13:56:29Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > The UP resembles hands I’ve seen in the ER on the 4th of July. 😲 ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2022, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/define-your-region-of-the-us-with-a-yes-no-question/966327/132 "2022-06-20T14:09:31Z")
Do you have signs like this near you? [![](https://amishamerica.com/images/buggy-sign-elizabethville-pa.jpg) ](https://amishamerica.com/images/buggy-sign-elizabethville-pa.jpg) Yes = Pennsylvania ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2022, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/define-your-region-of-the-us-with-a-yes-no-question/966327/133 "2022-06-20T14:18:53Z")
> [@engineer\_comp\_geek](#): > > Yes = Pennsylvania Also Ohio and Wisconsin and Iowa. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2022, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/define-your-region-of-the-us-with-a-yes-no-question/966327/134 "2022-06-20T14:23:28Z")
> [@engineer\_comp\_geek](#): > > Do you have signs like this near you? The Amish use buggies in Ohio but I don’t know if they have those signs. Many states allow horse drawn vehicles to be used on the public roads also, but the image on the sign is clearly based on an Amish style buggy. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2022, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/define-your-region-of-the-us-with-a-yes-no-question/966327/135 "2022-06-20T14:27:56Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > Also Ohio and Wisconsin and Iowa. [And Indiana and New York and Michigan and Missouri and…](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._states_by_Amish_population#Statistics_of_states) ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2022, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/define-your-region-of-the-us-with-a-yes-no-question/966327/136 "2022-06-20T14:31:22Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > The UP resembles hands I’ve seen in the ER [![](https://i.imgur.com/73emdq4.jpg) ](https://i.imgur.com/73emdq4.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2022, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/define-your-region-of-the-us-with-a-yes-no-question/966327/137 "2022-06-20T14:33:57Z")
Do you know what Taylor Ham is? New Jersey Do you know what Pork Roll is? New Jersey Do you want to smack the people who say Pork Roll instead of Taylor Ham? North Jersey Do you want to smack the people who say Taylor Ham instead of Pork Roll? South Jersey ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2022, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/define-your-region-of-the-us-with-a-yes-no-question/966327/138 "2022-06-20T14:34:21Z")
more like [![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E5EnPGAXIAQejto.jpg) ](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E5EnPGAXIAQejto.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2022, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/define-your-region-of-the-us-with-a-yes-no-question/966327/139 "2022-06-20T14:34:28Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > The Amish use buggies in Ohio but I don’t know if they have those signs. Yes, I seem to recall seeing at least one. The image may have been slightly different, but it was that kind of sign. ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Mouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mighty_mouse/32/7776_2.png) [@Mighty\_Mouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Mouse)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2022, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/define-your-region-of-the-us-with-a-yes-no-question/966327/140 "2022-06-20T15:02:41Z")
Definitely had these in Southern Maryland (St Mary’s County) in the 1990s and early 2000s when we lived there. Not just the buggies, but the signs as well. Buggies on a 50 mph highway, quite terrifying as trucks swing into the left lane to pass them! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/define-your-region-of-the-us-with-a-yes-no-question/966327.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/define-your-region-of-the-us-with-a-yes-no-question/966327.md?page=8)