# Southern California-isms **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 29, 2005, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/southern-california-isms/337573 "2005-12-29T15:11:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![David\_Simmons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9de053/32.png) [@David\_Simmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_Simmons)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2005, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/southern-california-isms/337573/81 "2005-12-31T21:57:33Z")
> [@Asimovian](#): > > The only thing that comes to mind, which may or may not qualify, is the “ **Four-Level** ” - I haven’t heard of any place else in the country that uses that term, although I could be wrong. It refers to the junction of the 5, 10, 101 and 110 Freeways on the north end of Downtown. I don’t even know how common it is to have such an intersection anywhere else, though. Not quite. The **Four Level** is the interchange between the Hollywood (101, Pasdena (110) and Harbor (110) Freeways intersect. The Santa Monica (10) and Golden State (5) Freeways connect at the **East Los Angeles Interchange.** Our deserts come in two varieties, High and Low. ---
**Author:** ![Cardinal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardinal/32/4000_2.png) [@Cardinal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardinal)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2005, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/southern-california-isms/337573/82 "2005-12-31T22:08:11Z")
That reminds me of “The Orange Crush”, or just “The Crush” on many traffic reports, where the 5, 57, and 22 freeways meet in what looks to be the City of Orange (it’s right next to the shopping center The Block of Orange, anyway.) ---
**Author:** ![scout1222](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/34f0e0/32.png) [@scout1222](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scout1222)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2005, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/southern-california-isms/337573/83 "2005-12-31T22:38:04Z")
**fetus** are you sure about the 5 being the San Diego Freeway? I’ve never heard it called that. In my experience the San Diego Freeway refers to the 405. Even though it makes absolutely no sense. ---
**Author:** ![Rico](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rico/32/3582_2.png) [@Rico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rico)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2005, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/southern-california-isms/337573/84 "2005-12-31T22:56:06Z")
**scout** , back in the 1960s/70s after the El Toro “Y” the 5 was referred to as The San Diego Freeway. Not so common these days, though. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2005, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/southern-california-isms/337573/85 "2005-12-31T22:58:43Z")
> [@scout1222](#): > > **fetus** are you sure about the 5 being the San Diego Freeway? I’ve never heard it called that. In my experience the San Diego Freeway refers to the 405. Even though it makes absolutely no sense. The 405 is the San Diego Freeway. The 5 is the Golden State Freeway. Native Southern Californian, never heard the 5 being called the San Diego Freeway. ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2006, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/southern-california-isms/337573/86 "2006-01-01T01:58:26Z")
> [@David Simmons](#): > > Not quite. The **Four Level** is the interchange between the Hollywood (101, Pasdena (110) and Harbor (110) Freeways intersect. The Santa Monica (10) and Golden State (5) Freeways connect at the **East Los Angeles Interchange.** Quite right. I didn’t really think that through before I typed it. I’m just accustomed to being able to get to any of the four freeways (as well as the 60) from that area since I work in downtown. > [@silenus](#): > > Because San Dimas is so much better. 😃 I have decided to take your statement literally as though there wasn’t the slightest hint of sarcasm in it, because everyone knows San Dimas IS so much better! Incidentally, what _is_ the Fly Capital of our great state? And as for the comments on local pronunciation, I’m always amused when a new news anchor arrives from out of town. What always clues me in right away is when I hear them pronounce the first “t” in “Huntington Beach.” Of course, anyone that lives here knows it’s “_Hunnington_.” 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2006, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/southern-california-isms/337573/87 "2006-01-01T02:03:59Z")
> [@Asimovian](#): > > And as for the comments on local pronunciation, I’m always amused when a new news anchor arrives from out of town. What always clues me in right away is when I hear them pronounce the first “t” in “Huntington Beach.” Of course, anyone that lives here knows it’s “_Hunnington_.” 🙂 I used to work with a girl (ironically of Mexican descent) who lived in San Pedro. Woe betide anyone who pronounced it ‘San Peh-dro’ when she was in the conversation. I heard an Englishman refer to ‘sepple-veeda’ and ‘pass-ADD-in-a’. Growing up in San Diego I was amused by out-of-towners pronouncing La Jolla. Caheunga and Port Hueneme have their moments as well. ---
**Author:** ![David\_Simmons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9de053/32.png) [@David\_Simmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_Simmons)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2006, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/southern-california-isms/337573/88 "2006-01-01T02:11:51Z")
> [@Johnny L.A.](#): > > The 405 is the San Diego Freeway. The 5 is the Golden State Freeway. And continues on to the Santa Ana Freeway. > [@](#): > > Native Southern Californian, never heard the 5 being called the San Diego Freeway. Actually the San Diego Freeway becomes the 5 way down between Lake Forest and San Juan Capistrano. I didn’t know that either until I looked at my Rand-Mcnally Road Atlas. ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2006, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/southern-california-isms/337573/89 "2006-01-01T02:15:00Z")
> [@Johnny L.A.](#): > > I used to work with a girl (ironically of Mexican descent) who lived in San Pedro. Woe betide anyone who pronounced it ‘San Peh-dro’ when she was in the conversation. I had to read that four times before I realized you were comparing ‘San Peh-dro’ to ‘San Pee-dro.’ I always use the “eh” sound when saying that, but I realize a lot of folks don’t. Similarly, one of the nearest major streets to my house is Badillo. My wife and I always say “Ba-dee-yo” even though neither of us is actually fluent in Spanish. But everyone else in my community that I encounter says “Ba-dill-oh.” I don’t know why I’m so anal about that one, but not using the Spanish pronunciation on that is like nails on a chalkboard for me, and I refuse to give in. And just to add to your examples of ‘sepple-veeda’ and ‘pass-ADD-in-a’, I often get tourists in downtown asking me to point them in the direction of Wilshire (“Will-shy-er” instead of “Will-shur”) Blvd. ---
**Author:** ![David\_Simmons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9de053/32.png) [@David\_Simmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_Simmons)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2006, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/southern-california-isms/337573/90 "2006-01-01T02:15:26Z")
> [@Johnny L.A.](#): > > I used to work with a girl (ironically of Mexican descent) who lived in San Pedro. Woe betide anyone who pronounced it ‘San Peh-dro’ when she was in the conversation. > > I heard an Englishman refer to ‘sepple-veeda’ and ‘pass-ADD-in-a’. Growing up in San Diego I was amused by out-of-towners pronouncing La Jolla. > > Caheunga and Port Hueneme have their moments as well. My sister used to place an occasional call to Port Hueneme just so she could hear the operator in Cherokee, IA pronounce it. For you unlucky non-Californians it’s sort of between Wayneemee and Yneemee. ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2006, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/southern-california-isms/337573/91 "2006-01-01T02:21:15Z")
> [@David Simmons](#): > > For you unlucky non-Californians it’s sort of between Wayneemee and Yneemee. Someone I know told me that they always thought of the sad declaration, “Why knee me?” in order to help them remember. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2006, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/southern-california-isms/337573/92 "2006-01-01T02:23:11Z")
Not to mention the out-of-staters asking about the LA-Canada freeway. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2006, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/southern-california-isms/337573/93 "2006-01-01T02:23:46Z")
> [@Asimovian](#): > > Similarly, one of the nearest major streets to my house is Badillo. My wife and I always say “Ba-dee-yo” even though neither of us is actually fluent in Spanish. But everyone else in my community that I encounter says “Ba-dill-oh.” I don’t know why I’m so anal about that one, but not using the Spanish pronunciation on that is like nails on a chalkboard for me, and I refuse to give in. Whatever you do, stay away from Paso Robles and Lompoc. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2006, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/southern-california-isms/337573/94 "2006-01-01T02:27:01Z")
A guy I used to work with was stopped for directions to ‘stah-tah co-yeh-heh’. It took him a minute to realise the guy was looking for State College Blvd. ---
**Author:** ![ZebraShaSha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/eada6e/32.png) [@ZebraShaSha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZebraShaSha)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2006, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/southern-california-isms/337573/95 "2006-01-01T02:32:20Z")
> [@Johnny L.A.](#): > > I used to work with a girl (ironically of Mexican descent) who lived in San Pedro. Woe betide anyone who pronounced it ‘San Peh-dro’ when she was in the conversation. > > I heard an Englishman refer to ‘sepple-veeda’ and ‘pass-ADD-in-a’. Growing up in San Diego I was amused by out-of-towners pronouncing La Jolla. > > Caheunga and Port Hueneme have their moments as well. “Baby doncha go doncha go to La Jolla Baby doncha go now doncha go” I remember awhile back a thread on all the weird ways you people pronounce place names. It was strangely intriguing, since basically everywhere I’ve been everything is pronounced as it looks. Of course, I haven’t exactly lived in Illinois either. ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2006, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/southern-california-isms/337573/96 "2006-01-01T02:32:31Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > Whatever you do, stay away from Paso Robles and Lompoc. I actually got married just across the 46 from Pah-sew Row-blez, and I’ve always pronounced the latter as Lawm-poke. What am I missing? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![vivalostwages](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d07c76/32.png) [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2006, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/southern-california-isms/337573/97 "2006-01-01T02:35:54Z")
> [@Asimovian](#): > > I had to read that four times before I realized you were comparing ‘San Peh-dro’ to ‘San Pee-dro.’ I always use the “eh” sound when saying that, but I realize a lot of folks don’t. > > Similarly, one of the nearest major streets to my house is Badillo. My wife and I always say “Ba-dee-yo” even though neither of us is actually fluent in Spanish. But everyone else in my community that I encounter says “Ba-dill-oh.” I don’t know why I’m so anal about that one, but not using the Spanish pronunciation on that is like nails on a chalkboard for me, and I refuse to give in. > > And just to add to your examples of ‘sepple-veeda’ and ‘pass-ADD-in-a’, I often get tourists in downtown asking me to point them in the direction of Wilshire (“Will-shy-er” instead of “Will-shur”) Blvd. You are the ONLY person I know who calls that street “Ba-dee-yo.” Absolutely everyone else says “Bah-dillow.” You’re right, though. My mom’s father used to call La Puente “La Pyoo-en-tee.” ---
**Author:** ![David\_Simmons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9de053/32.png) [@David\_Simmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_Simmons)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2006, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/southern-california-isms/337573/98 "2006-01-01T02:45:05Z")
> [@vivalostwages](#): > > My mom’s father used to call La Puente “La Pyoo-en-tee.” When an Anglo gives a town a Spanish name they should check it out first. “Puente” is masculine (it means bridge, like over a river) so it’s el puente, thank you. ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2006, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/southern-california-isms/337573/99 "2006-01-01T03:26:21Z")
> [@David Simmons](#): > > When an Anglo gives a town a Spanish name they should check it out first. “Puente” is masculine (it means bridge, like over a river) so it’s el puente, thank you. Oddly enough, it appears to have first been named by a Spaniard [[cite](http://www.colapublib.org/history/lapuente/)], but I still haven’t found any information on _why_ “la” was used instead of “el.” The only hint I could find was from the [Wikipedia article](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Puente) that mentions the name comes from “old Spanish.” Perhaps the gender for the word was different then? ---
**Author:** ![David\_Simmons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9de053/32.png) [@David\_Simmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_Simmons)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2006, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/southern-california-isms/337573/100 "2006-01-01T05:48:00Z")
> [@Asimovian](#): > > Oddly enough, it appears to have first been named by a Spaniard [[cite](http://www.colapublib.org/history/lapuente/)], but I still haven’t found any information on _why_ “la” was used instead of “el.” The only hint I could find was from the [Wikipedia article](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Puente) that mentions the name comes from “old Spanish.” Perhaps the gender for the word was different then? I suppose that’s possible. The equivalent French is “le pont.” Both are doubtless from Latin pons. Is the word masculine or feminine in Latin? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/southern-california-isms/337573.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/southern-california-isms/337573.md?page=6)