# Milwaukee and/or Wisconsin-isms **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 23, 2007, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/milwaukee-and-or-wisconsin-isms/427480 "2007-11-23T03:48:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Snickers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@Snickers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snickers)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2007, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/milwaukee-and-or-wisconsin-isms/427480/41 "2007-11-26T16:12:32Z")
Grew up in 'Sconsin, lived in Milwaukee for 3 years, in Madison for 4, now transplanted to Minneapolis. There’s a definite edge to the way I’ve heard the word “sorry” said, exactly as \*\*Brynda \*\*pointed out. And I do the mih-nh thing too, exactly as **Slithy Tove** described. Most people I know also miss the “t” in the word “hunting,” as well as dropping the “g.” Around this time of year, most of WI and MN seem to go “huh-nin’.” (That’s as near as I can write out - you’ll have to put in the glottal stops and such yourself.) Lots of “-ford” around here become “-fert” or “-furt.” So Middleford is Middlefert. ---
**Author:** ![brewha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@brewha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brewha)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2007, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/milwaukee-and-or-wisconsin-isms/427480/42 "2007-11-26T16:32:24Z")
[QUOTE=Miss Purl McKnittington] **Slithy** , I think we have the same accent. I live on the border of Iowa/Grant/Lafayette counties, and my family’s been kicking it here for 150+ years. I’m working on recording something for [this thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=445112), so tell me how we compare once I get it posted, huh? [/QUOTE] It’s a little further south, but have you ever heard of Benton, WI? That’s where I went to high school. And, I can relate to most of these. ---
**Author:** ![Miss\_Purl\_McKnittington](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9a140/32.png) [@Miss\_Purl\_McKnittington](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miss_Purl_McKnittington)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2007, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/milwaukee-and-or-wisconsin-isms/427480/43 "2007-11-26T17:08:36Z")
[QUOTE=brewha] It’s a little further south, but have you ever heard of Benton, WI? That’s where I went to high school. And, I can relate to most of these. [/QUOTE] Not only have I heard of Benton, I have been to Benton. Mining capital of Wisconsin, right? If I said IG, would that ring any bells? Oh, here’s another Wisconsinism/Midwesternism: “Towards” instead of “toward.” From a copy editor standpoint, there is no such word as “towards.” Big agreement on “sore-ry” and “hun’in’”. Around here, you can combine all the things in **Snicker** ’s post in a single sentence: “Sore-ry, but Jim’s hun’in’ outside-a Mon’fert, and he forgot his mi’ens; couldya go by the deer stand and give 'em to him?” ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2007, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/milwaukee-and-or-wisconsin-isms/427480/44 "2007-11-26T17:30:18Z")
Okay Milwaukeans, fill in the blanks: 1. Ruby Ruby Ruby Ruby Ruby \_\_\_\_\_\_. 2. Be wiser \_\_\_ \_\_\_\_. 3. This is Eddie Doucette for \_\_\_\_. 4. Ernie VonSchledorn, Main Street in \_\_\_\_ \_\_\_\_. (Who do you know \_\_\_\_ \_\_ \_\_\_ \_ \_\_\_?) 5. Nelson Brothers Loves You, \_\_ \_\_\_\_\_ \_\_\_\_ \_\_\_\_ \_\_\_. 6. Absolutely my dear Herman! \_\_\_\_\_\_ \_\_ \_\_\_ \_\_\_! 7. Milwaukee County Zoo’s \_\_\_\_\_\_ the Gorilla. 8. Ask Andy was in the \_\_\_\_\_ sheet. 9. Albert the Alley \_\_\_. 10. The \_\_\_\_\_\_\_ show at the Public Natatorium. 11)The name of the bacteria that got into the city’s water supply: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_ 11. Crazy Jim’s. Took place when and where? ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2007, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/milwaukee-and-or-wisconsin-isms/427480/45 "2007-11-26T18:48:31Z")
> [@](#): > > Bubbler for water fountain As I mentioned in that other thread (and as **waterman** mentions upthread here), “Bubbler” is used for “water fountain” in Boston and, I believe in a lot of New England. Although it’s pronounced more like “Bubblah”. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2007, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/milwaukee-and-or-wisconsin-isms/427480/46 "2007-11-27T00:37:25Z")
[QUOTE=Hampshire] Okay Milwaukeans, fill in the blanks: 1. Ruby Ruby Ruby Ruby Ruby \_\_\_\_\_\_. 2. Be wiser \_\_\_ \_\_\_\_. 3. This is Eddie Doucette for \_\_\_\_. 4. Ernie VonSchledorn, Main Street in \_\_\_\_ \_\_\_\_. (Who do you know \_\_\_\_ \_\_ \_\_\_ \_ \_\_\_?) 5. Nelson Brothers Loves You, \_\_ \_\_\_\_\_ \_\_\_\_ \_\_\_\_ \_\_\_. 6. Absolutely my dear Herman! \_\_\_\_\_\_ \_\_ \_\_\_ \_\_\_! 7. Milwaukee County Zoo’s \_\_\_\_\_\_ the Gorilla. 8. Ask Andy was in the \_\_\_\_\_ sheet. 9. Albert the Alley \_\_\_. 10. The \_\_\_\_\_\_\_ show at the Public Natatorium. 11)The name of the bacteria that got into the city’s water supply: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_ 11. Crazy Jim’s. Took place when and where? [/QUOTE] 1)Chevrolet 2)Buy Geysers (potato chips) 2)or Buy at Heiser (Chevrolet) I’ve heard both 3)M.B.T.I (Milwaukee Business Training Institute) 4)Menomonee falls (who do you know wants to buy a car) 5)Incorrectly posted, **Hampshire**. It’s: Nelson loves me, nelson loves me, Nelson Brothers loves me…and they’ll love you too! 6)Don’t know 7)Samson 8)Green Sheet 9)Cat. (a puppet that appeared on the channel 6 news) 10)Dolphin 11)Cryptosporidium, (Spring of 1993. Made me so f:mad:cking sick!) 12)Demolition Derbies (On sunday, sunday, sunday at Hales Corners Speedway, which is NOT located in the city of Hales Corners, but actually in the city of Franklin. Go figure, ya hey!) ---
**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:** [November 27, 2007, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/milwaukee-and-or-wisconsin-isms/427480/47 "2007-11-27T01:13:40Z")
I still miss Albert _and_ the Green Sheet. I don’t miss the cartoon projectionist from Albert’s early appearances in “Cartoon Alley”, however. “Roll 'em, Dinkfuzz!”??? Mr. Dinkfuzz was characterized as “a short, bald, funny looking man”. Great. See the 5th paragraph in this link for the gory details of children’s programming in Milwaukee during the Kennedy Administration: [http://www.milwaukee-horror-hosts.com/cartoon.html](http://www.milwaukee-horror-hosts.com/cartoon.html) ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2007, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/milwaukee-and-or-wisconsin-isms/427480/48 "2007-11-27T01:15:03Z")
[QUOTE=pkbites] 1)Chevrolet 2)Buy Geysers (potato chips) 2)or Buy at Heiser (Chevrolet) I’ve heard both 3)M.B.T.I (Milwaukee Business Training Institute) 4)Menomonee falls (who do you know wants to buy a car) 5)Incorrectly posted, **Hampshire**. It’s: Nelson loves me, nelson loves me, Nelson Brothers loves me…and they’ll love you too! 6)Don’t know 7)Samson 8)Green Sheet 9)Cat. (a puppet that appeared on the channel 6 news) 10)Dolphin 11)Cryptosporidium, (Spring of 1993. Made me so f:mad:cking sick!) 12)Demolition Derbies (On sunday, sunday, sunday at Hales Corners Speedway, which is NOT located in the city of Hales Corners, but actually in the city of Franklin. Go figure, ya hey!) [/QUOTE] 6)“Positively, my dear Max”. It was a carpet company, IIRC. My step-aunt worked at Ernie von Shledorn’s as a receptionist or something. 1. “On the corner of Jefferson and Wells, you can hear \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ \_\_\_\_\_\_\_”? 2. What was Reggie Lisowski better known as? Regards, Shodan, ain’na? ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2007, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/milwaukee-and-or-wisconsin-isms/427480/49 "2007-11-27T02:04:08Z")
[QUOTE=Shodan] 6)“Positively, my dear Max”. It was a carpet company, IIRC. My step-aunt worked at Ernie von Shledorn’s as a receptionist or something. 1. “On the corner of Jefferson and Wells, you can hear \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ \_\_\_\_\_\_\_”? 2. What was Reggie Lisowski better known as? Regards, Shodan, ain’na? [/QUOTE] 13)cathedral bells 14)The Crusher (pronounced "da Crushhhaaa! or The Crusherrrrrrrrr!) ---
**Author:** ![hekk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/50afbb/32.png) [@hekk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hekk)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2007, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/milwaukee-and-or-wisconsin-isms/427480/50 "2007-11-27T02:24:51Z")
[QUOTE=pkbites] 14)The Crusher (pronounced "da Crushhhaaa! or The Crusherrrrrrrrr!) [/QUOTE] And a native of South Milwaukee, where just so happens to be where I recently moved. South Milwaukeeans are _very_ proud of their native son, apparently. And from the look of my neighborhood, that’s pretty much all they’ve got to be proud of. 😉 Anyone want to guess what South Milwaukee’s official motto is? (Hint: it’s kinda depressing) ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2007, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/milwaukee-and-or-wisconsin-isms/427480/51 "2007-11-27T02:49:33Z")
Yup, although Da Crusha recently died. His daughter was homecoming queen at her high school, and apparently quite the babe. I wasted much of my youth (or as we say in Beertown, yout’) watching NWA wrestling, with Roger Kent ringside with the blow-by-blow and the squeeze-by-squeeze. And Marty O’Neiil doing the interviews. **pkbites** , you got it. It was Milwaukee Federal Savings and Loan, IIRC. Regards, Shodan ---
**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:** [November 27, 2007, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/milwaukee-and-or-wisconsin-isms/427480/52 "2007-11-27T03:05:51Z")
1. “Get a vac, get a vac at \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_” ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2007, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/milwaukee-and-or-wisconsin-isms/427480/53 "2007-11-27T04:43:05Z")
[QUOTE=pkbites] 12)Demolition Derbies (On sunday, sunday, sunday at Hales Corners Speedway, which is NOT located in the city of Hales Corners, but actually in the city of Franklin. Go figure, ya hey!) [/QUOTE] Actually Monday! Monday! They were held once a year on Labor Day. And Hales Corners speedway (in Franklin) ceases to exsist anymore. A Menard’s sits on the site. ---
**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:** [November 27, 2007, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/milwaukee-and-or-wisconsin-isms/427480/54 "2007-11-27T04:48:43Z")
[QUOTE=hekk] And a native of South Milwaukee, where just so happens to be where I recently moved. South Milwaukeeans are _very_ proud of their native son, apparently. And from the look of my neighborhood, that’s pretty much all they’ve got to be proud of. 😉 Anyone want to guess what South Milwaukee’s official motto is? (Hint: it’s kinda depressing) [/QUOTE] Proud Past, Promising Future? I think that’s what the sign says, I pass it a few times a day. ETA, I’m 99% sure there isn’t a question mark on the sign though. ---
**Author:** ![Walloon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2007, 9:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/milwaukee-and-or-wisconsin-isms/427480/55 "2007-11-27T09:13:29Z")
1. Drive right in to Eleven-Oh-Eleven \_\_\_\_\_ \_\_\_\_\_\_ \_\_\_\_\_\_. 2. I’m from Milwaukee, and I ought to know, it’s \_\_\_\_\_ \_\_\_\_\_ \_\_\_\_\_ wherever I go. 3. Ione \_\_\_\_\_\_ Griggs. 4. Bob Trent and Lippy \_\_\_\_\_\_. 5. \_\_\_\_\_\_-horse hitch. 6. The Braves’ Chief Noc-\_\_\_\_\_. 7. Bernie \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2007, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/milwaukee-and-or-wisconsin-isms/427480/56 "2007-11-27T11:40:25Z")
[QUOTE=Hampshire] Actually Monday! Monday! They were held once a year on Labor Day.. [/QUOTE] [THis](http://www.retrocom.com/retromilw/images/jimbig.jpg) picture is from 1973. The poster says it’s on July 1st, which was a sunday. [![](http://www.retrocom.com/retromilw/images/jimbig.jpg) ](http://www.retrocom.com/retromilw/images/jimbig.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2007, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/milwaukee-and-or-wisconsin-isms/427480/57 "2007-11-27T12:15:12Z")
[QUOTE=Walloon] 16. Drive right in to Eleven-Oh-Eleven \_\_\_\_\_ \_\_\_\_\_\_ \_\_\_\_\_\_. 17. I’m from Milwaukee, and I ought to know, it’s \_\_\_\_\_ \_\_\_\_\_ \_\_\_\_\_ wherever I go. 18. Ione \_\_\_\_\_\_ Griggs. 19. Bob Trent and Lippy \_\_\_\_\_\_. 20. \__**-horse hitch. 21. The Braves’ Chief Noc-**_. 22. Bernie \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. [/QUOTE] 16)West North Avenue (Hall Chevorlet) 17)It’s Blatz Blatz Blatz 18)Quinby 19) Lucy 20) 😕 That one fails me 21)Nockahoma 22)The Brewer Heres one: Where in Wisconsin would you have gotten a “Dandy” hamburger and Little Red Hen Chicken (name of restaurant and city) ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2007, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/milwaukee-and-or-wisconsin-isms/427480/58 "2007-11-27T12:18:48Z")
😕 ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2007, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/milwaukee-and-or-wisconsin-isms/427480/59 "2007-11-27T12:19:17Z")
[QUOTE=Qadgop the Mercotan] 15) “Get a vac, get a vac at \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_” [/QUOTE] Geezus. That ad is ringing through my brain and I _still_ can’t remember who it was for! I’ll bite. Who was it? Was it the Mart? ---
**Author:** ![hekk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/50afbb/32.png) [@hekk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hekk)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2007, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/milwaukee-and-or-wisconsin-isms/427480/60 "2007-11-27T12:37:50Z")
[QUOTE=Joey P] Proud Past, Promising Future? I think that’s what the sign says, I pass it a few times a day. ETA, I’m 99% sure there isn’t a question mark on the sign though. [/QUOTE] Yeah, “Proud Past, Promising Future.” Now just \*what \*is that supposed to mean? 23.) Anything you nee-eed, you’re gonna find \_\_ \_\_ \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ \_\_\_\_\_\_. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/milwaukee-and-or-wisconsin-isms/427480.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/milwaukee-and-or-wisconsin-isms/427480.md?page=4)