# Regional expressions you didn't always realize were not widespread **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 11, 2021, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regional-expressions-you-didnt-always-realize-were-not-widespread/930263 "2021-01-11T15:00:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2021, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regional-expressions-you-didnt-always-realize-were-not-widespread/930263/161 "2021-01-27T01:12:10Z")
Heh, I’d eat that. ---
**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:** [January 27, 2021, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regional-expressions-you-didnt-always-realize-were-not-widespread/930263/162 "2021-01-27T01:14:43Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > “Ope!” is a common Wisconsinism as well Ope! A deer! - C. Berens and every other Sconnie ---
**Author:** ![kitap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b9e5f3/32.png) [@kitap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kitap)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2021, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regional-expressions-you-didnt-always-realize-were-not-widespread/930263/163 "2021-01-27T02:03:58Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > > [@kitap](#): > > > > > [@Dangerosa](#): > > > > > > … > > > but I didn’t see “hotdish” What the rest of the country calls a casserole, we call a hotdish, and its an art form. (The dish you bake it in is often called a casserole, but what you bake is a hotdish) Tater tot hotdish is the epitome of Minnesota food. > > > > My friend in Merrill, Wisconsin, calls tater tot casserole hot dish. Just plain hot dish. > > So what, besides tater tots, goes into authentic Minnesota hotdish? It’s sorta predictable that Wisconsinites would load it with cheese & little else. But what of Minnesotans? Cheese in hot dish? Never! Raw ground beef, onions, cream of soup - I use cream of chicken, a can of corn and a can of evaporated milk. Mix together, put in a casserole dish and top with tater tots. Bake at 350 for roughly an hour. A great thing to eat after shoveling snow. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2021, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regional-expressions-you-didnt-always-realize-were-not-widespread/930263/164 "2021-01-27T02:12:58Z")
> [@kitap](#): > > Cheese in hot dish? Never! I was thinking sorta like a heap of nacho chips, but upper Midwest style. So bland, saucy, and gooey. With narry a jalapeno in sight. But fun to eat with fingers and it runs down your chin. ---
**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:** [January 27, 2021, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regional-expressions-you-didnt-always-realize-were-not-widespread/930263/165 "2021-01-27T02:22:19Z")
> [@kitap](#): > > Cheese in hot dish? Never! Wisconsin hotdish definitely has cheese. Smell our dairy air, Minnesotans! ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2021, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regional-expressions-you-didnt-always-realize-were-not-widespread/930263/166 "2021-01-27T02:50:37Z")
> [@Dangerosa](#): > > Browned hamburger, cream of mushroom (or some other cream of) soup. A can of drained corn (sometimes green beans). Mix together. Top with tater tots. Put in oven until tater tots brown (whatever it says on the tater tot bag). > > (Some people add onions or something, Sub peas for the corn and you’d be real close to the British shephard’s pie, just w tots instead of mash and not the usual Brit spicing. Either your or @kitap’s recipe sounds like it’d be real wet when done. Crunchy on top, soupy underneath. Assuming I’m right I’m thinking it’d be better if it set up more. Hence **QtM** ’s cheese? ---
**Author:** ![kitap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b9e5f3/32.png) [@kitap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kitap)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2021, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regional-expressions-you-didnt-always-realize-were-not-widespread/930263/167 "2021-01-27T02:59:25Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > > [@kitap](#): > > > > Cheese in hot dish? Never! > > Wisconsin hotdish definitely has cheese. Smell our dairy air, Minnesotans! I can’t imagine hot dish with cheese. Just no. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2021, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regional-expressions-you-didnt-always-realize-were-not-widespread/930263/168 "2021-01-27T13:11:07Z")
My recipe dumps a can of campbell’s condensed cream of mushroom in there with no other liquid, so it isn’t soupy at all. Its a little poor mans beef stroganoff under the tots (with corn). Oh salt and pepper. And yeah, its good. Kids really like it and its cheap and easy. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2021, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regional-expressions-you-didnt-always-realize-were-not-widespread/930263/169 "2021-01-27T13:14:18Z")
In the Midwest the regional food group is dairy. We put dairy in EVERYTHING. Smother vegetables in cheese, top our desserts with whipped cream. Huge dollops of sour cream. In the South, the regional food group is fried. Which, speaking of dairy and fried, have you guys not from the midwest had deep fried cheese curds? ---
**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:** [January 27, 2021, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regional-expressions-you-didnt-always-realize-were-not-widespread/930263/170 "2021-01-27T13:31:31Z")
Looks like the thread’s gotten a little sidetracked here, but I’m fine with it because I find the dueling hot tot dish arguments fascinating! To cheese or not to cheese? I’m tempted to make 2 side-by-side sometime, one with cheese and one without. > [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > Wisconsin hotdish definitely has cheese. Smell our dairy air, Minnesotans! Would you recommend sharp cheddar? > [@kitap](#): > > …Raw ground beef… You don’t brown the ground beef before you mix it in and bake it? That seems…not right. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2021, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regional-expressions-you-didnt-always-realize-were-not-widespread/930263/171 "2021-01-27T14:01:52Z")
> [@solost](#): > > Looks like the thread’s gotten a little sidetracked here, but I’m fine with it because I find the dueling hot tot dish arguments fascinating! To cheese or not to cheese? I’m tempted to make 2 side-by-side sometime, one with cheese and one without. Ditto! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![kitap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b9e5f3/32.png) [@kitap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kitap)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2021, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regional-expressions-you-didnt-always-realize-were-not-widespread/930263/172 "2021-01-27T14:36:34Z")
> [@solost](#): > > Looks like the thread’s gotten a little sidetracked here, but I’m fine with it because I find the dueling hot tot dish arguments fascinating! To cheese or not to cheese? I’m tempted to make 2 side-by-side sometime, one with cheese and one without. > > > [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > > > Wisconsin hotdish definitely has cheese. Smell our dairy air, Minnesotans! > > Would you recommend sharp cheddar? > > > [@kitap](#): > > > > …Raw ground beef… > > You don’t brown the ground beef before you mix it in and bake it? That seems…not right. It’s how I learned to make it. ---
**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:** [January 27, 2021, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regional-expressions-you-didnt-always-realize-were-not-widespread/930263/173 "2021-01-27T14:39:51Z")
> [@Dangerosa](#): > > cream of mushroom (or some other cream of) soup I’ve heard this referred to as “Lutheran glue.” ---
**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:** [January 27, 2021, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regional-expressions-you-didnt-always-realize-were-not-widespread/930263/174 "2021-01-27T15:30:58Z")
> [@solost](#): > > Would you recommend sharp cheddar? Always. the standard sharp cheddar in our house is at least 4 years old. We buy it from the local cheese factory in 5 pound blocks. I’ve got a few chunks of 20 year old cheddar in the cheese cave, waiting for special tasting occasions. ---
**Author:** ![2\_More\_Bits](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/2_more_bits/32/4148_2.png) [@2\_More\_Bits](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2_More_Bits)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2021, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regional-expressions-you-didnt-always-realize-were-not-widespread/930263/175 "2021-01-27T17:05:44Z")
My extended family in Detroit includes a number of uncles and “ANTS!” What are these “AWNTS” I’ve heard mentioned in various places as I’ve moved around the country? ---
**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:** [January 27, 2021, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regional-expressions-you-didnt-always-realize-were-not-widespread/930263/176 "2021-01-27T21:46:41Z")
> [@2\_More\_Bits](#): > > What are these “AWNTS” You mean Aunts? ---
**Author:** ![2\_More\_Bits](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/2_more_bits/32/4148_2.png) [@2\_More\_Bits](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2_More_Bits)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2021, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regional-expressions-you-didnt-always-realize-were-not-widespread/930263/177 "2021-01-27T22:21:33Z")
Yes. (Trying to be clever about it) ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2021, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regional-expressions-you-didnt-always-realize-were-not-widespread/930263/178 "2021-01-27T22:31:51Z")
You mean like these? [![]( "YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uZ7PG3YPuM) A pesky plague indeed. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2021, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regional-expressions-you-didnt-always-realize-were-not-widespread/930263/179 "2021-01-28T01:51:00Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > “Ope!” is a common Wisconsinism as well, as demonstrated by Charlie Berens of _Manitowoc Minute_ : This is a weird one for me because I had been saying “ope” (usually when almost colliding with someone in a hallway) for most of my adult life, possibly earlier, with no idea where it came from and being vaguely embarrassed at my involuntary use. And then only recently did I find that it’s a common Wisconsinism. I’ve always lived in Northern California. My mom grew up there, but I can’t recall her ever using it. It’s possible she did in my formative years. But maybe it’s convergent evolution. I guess I view it as a merger of “uh” and “oops”. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2021, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regional-expressions-you-didnt-always-realize-were-not-widespread/930263/180 "2021-01-28T16:28:26Z")
I made [this hotdish casserole](https://www.cookingchanneltv.com/recipes/hotdish-tater-tot-casserole-2108133) for dinner last night. It was good!! My gf got a kick out of learning about Minnesota. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regional-expressions-you-didnt-always-realize-were-not-widespread/930263.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regional-expressions-you-didnt-always-realize-were-not-widespread/930263.md?page=10)