# What are your regional "vocal tics"? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 1, 2018, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-regional-vocal-tics/807956 "2018-02-01T16:34:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![PapaJoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9adbd/32.png) [@PapaJoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PapaJoe)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2018, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-regional-vocal-tics/807956/41 "2018-02-01T22:04:43Z")
> [@Ludovic](#): > > When I moved down to Florida from Western NY, for about 10 years I still used “eh” as an affirmation “tag question” at the end of a sentence. At first it never occurred to me that everyone didn’t do the same until everyone kept accusing me of being Canadian. I still think it’s useful and easier to say than “right?” I also now use y’all for the plural second person because that’s useful as well. I’ve picked up on the “y’all” as well. Many friends from the South. Plus, as you said, it’s useful. Totally get the Canadian, “eh?”. The Range accent is so close to the Canadian, only Canadians seem to be able to distinguish the difference. As a cousin of mine once said, “When I go anywhere in the US, people ask if I’m from Canada. In Canada they say, ‘You’re from Minnesota, aren’t you?’. In Minnesota they say, ‘You must be from the Range.’ On the Range it’s, 'You must be Jill’s kid.” ---
**Author:** ![PaperBlob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/58956e/32.png) [@PaperBlob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PaperBlob)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2018, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-regional-vocal-tics/807956/42 "2018-02-01T22:08:03Z")
In the Philadelphia area, you don’t “go to the beach” or “go TO the shore.” You “go DOWN the shore.” When referring to going to the Jersey Shore. I had a friend who was from the Erie, PA area, who used “whenever” where any other person would simply use “when.” ---
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2018, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-regional-vocal-tics/807956/43 "2018-02-01T22:14:26Z")
My father used to say “Bye, now.” He was born in New England an raised there and in central New York. He had no connection to the Midwest. I don’t know if it’s related to a German expression. He didn’t grow up speaking German, but my grandfather (who died before I was born) was born in Germany. ---
**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:** [February 1, 2018, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-regional-vocal-tics/807956/44 "2018-02-01T22:16:19Z")
> [@mikecurtis](#): > > They use it often in WI was well, **Happy** > > [COME HERE ONCE AND LEARN ALREADY SCHOLARS FIND THAT GERMAN-BASED WISCONSIN-SPEAK IS MORE DISTINCT IN YOUNGER GENERATIONS.](http://host.madison.com/news/come-here-once-and-learn-already-scholars-find-that-german/article_02072b4b-1c4c-5ee6-8564-81b2a19bf7cf.html) Yeah, my mother-in-law is from Chippewa Falls, and it threw me for a little loop the way she would use the word “yet.” The thing is, now I’ve gotten so used to it, I use it all the time and can’t tell when I’m speaking my “normal” dialect and when it’s Wisconsinese. So I might say “Is she eating dinner yet” to mean, “is she still eating dinner” as opposed to “has she started to eat dinner” which is what I would normally mean by that construction. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2018, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-regional-vocal-tics/807956/45 "2018-02-01T22:21:44Z")
Oh, God we have a bunch in Arkansas. I am fixin’ to go to Walmarts. It is over yonder, kitty-corner from the drug store. Dinner for Lunch Supper instead of Dinner. You staying over? means Are you eating Supper with us? My MIL always said ‘green-grocer’ for the Piggly Wigglys. Backasswards. Hey cous for hey friend Bye y’all Say hey to your aunt for me Over thar at the Wal-Mart’s theys having a sale on towels. Y’all all going in? Feel better for get well soon. ---
**Author:** ![PapaJoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9adbd/32.png) [@PapaJoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PapaJoe)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2018, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-regional-vocal-tics/807956/46 "2018-02-01T22:30:54Z")
> [@bibliophage](#): > > My father used to say “Bye, now.” He was born in New England an raised there and in central New York. He had no connection to the Midwest. I don’t know if it’s related to a German expression. He didn’t grow up speaking German, but my grandfather (who died before I was born) was born in Germany. I find the German idea interesting. Minnesota was settled largely by Germans in the mid-state and southern regions. The iron mining areas here were mostly settled by Scandinavian, Eastern European and Italian immigrants, however. Still I could imagine there may be Germanic influences in the Scandinavian and Eastern European speakers that came here. This area was a vast “melting pot” of cultures. For the sake of survival in the harsh mining conditions at the turn of the century, the different ethnicities came together and became somewhat “homogenized”. They taught each other bits of their native languages and English. (Something the mining companies actively tried to suppress to prevent them from organizing.) I wouldn’t be surprised if “Bye now” did come from the few German immigrants who settled in this region. Side note: It occurs to me that “Bye now” is quite silly. If not now, when? Bye later? ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2018, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-regional-vocal-tics/807956/47 "2018-02-01T23:02:56Z")
The “eh” thing really is quintessential Canadian speak. We don’t notice it, normally, because it’s just … normal. I really have to concentrate on NOT using it when I travel in the US. And it’s really freaking hard to not say it! ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2018, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-regional-vocal-tics/807956/48 "2018-02-01T23:28:30Z")
In St. Louis, people have the tendency to end questions with unnecessary prepositions. Where are you going to?/That’s where I went to. Where’s the salt at? Would you like to come with? ---
**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:** [February 1, 2018, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-regional-vocal-tics/807956/49 "2018-02-01T23:54:48Z")
> [@kunilou](#): > > In St. Louis, people have the tendency to end questions with unnecessary prepositions. > > Where are you going to?/That’s where I went to. > Where’s the salt at? > Would you like to come with? All those work here in Chicago, too. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2018, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-regional-vocal-tics/807956/50 "2018-02-01T23:59:31Z")
I think double modals (might could/might would) and the “needs washed” usage are the two things I do that catch others by surprise. Plus lots of vocabulary. I’m from SE Ohio, the Appalachian bit. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2018, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-regional-vocal-tics/807956/51 "2018-02-02T00:07:31Z")
I had a friend who would ask ‘Why, for?’ When you told her something intriguing or questionable. She grew up in Georgia. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2018, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-regional-vocal-tics/807956/52 "2018-02-02T02:00:06Z")
I don’t know where I picked it up, but I graduated from “Haa skoo.” I change the “Oool” in the car. But I don’t “warsh” my hands in the zinc. ---
**Author:** ![Aspidistra](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspidistra/32/3894_2.png) [@Aspidistra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspidistra)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2018, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-regional-vocal-tics/807956/53 "2018-02-02T03:03:14Z")
My dentist has an odd one which I’ve never heard anywhere else - a tendency to say “Happy Days!” in place of “that’s great”. Which he does about every two minutes on average…“Looks like we’re not going to need any fillings today - happy days! And I see you’ve been flossing your teeth properly - happy days!” And so on and so-forth. He’s an ethnically-Indian Home Counties Englishman living in Australia, which leaves a wide variety of places that particular quirk could have come out of (apart from, possibly, his very own personal brain) **@BaronGreenback** I’m pretty sure your “I’ve a…” rather than “I’ve got a…” is nearly as strong a Scotsman Identifier as your ayes. I don’t know what I do myself, because all my verbal tics sounds perfectly natural to me 😉 But I do remember an American exchange student finding the way we Aussies would say “you reckon?” all the time to be unbearably hilarious and make us all sound like hillbillies, from which I deduce that the phrase may be considered a regional quirk ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2018, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-regional-vocal-tics/807956/54 "2018-02-02T03:06:37Z")
Everyone here says “quarter of” instead of "quarter to,’ and so don’t I. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2018, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-regional-vocal-tics/807956/55 "2018-02-02T13:22:21Z")
> [@Aspidistra](#): > > I don’t know what I do myself, because all my verbal tics sounds perfectly natural to me 😉 But I do remember an American exchange student finding the way we Aussies would say “you reckon?” all the time to be unbearably hilarious and make us all sound like hillbillies, from which I deduce that the phrase may be considered a regional quirk Many Americans associate “reckon” with Mark Twain, who put this in the mouth of rural Americans circa 1850-to-1900. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2018, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-regional-vocal-tics/807956/56 "2018-02-02T13:48:07Z")
I don’t know if this is a Michigan thing or more widespread- the use of the ‘j’ sound to replace “did you”. As is: “Jeat yet?” “No, Jew?” ---
**Author:** ![PapaJoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9adbd/32.png) [@PapaJoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PapaJoe)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2018, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-regional-vocal-tics/807956/57 "2018-02-02T14:16:30Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > I don’t know if this is a Michigan thing or more widespread- the use of the ‘j’ sound to replace “did you”. > > As is: “Jeat yet?” “No, Jew?” We have something similar. We replace the “th” sound. If it’s vocalized as in “there”, we replace it with “d”. If it’s non-vocalized as in “with”, we replace it with “t”. So dat’s why you go grab dat ting over dere. ---
**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:** [February 2, 2018, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-regional-vocal-tics/807956/58 "2018-02-02T14:37:14Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > I don’t know if this is a Michigan thing or more widespread- the use of the ‘j’ sound to replace “did you”. > > As is: “Jeat yet?” “No, Jew?” Heard in Chicago, as well. I could also swear I’ve heard it East Coast, like Jersey or somewhere thereabouts. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2018, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-regional-vocal-tics/807956/59 "2018-02-02T15:03:45Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > My aunt is from Texas and cannot get over the fact that I guess us Ohioans say we are going “by” someone’s house instead of “to” someone’s house. She’s been in our family for 30 years and will still stop you dead in a conversation to mock you about driving by and waving if you say “Yeah we went by uncle Fred’s for a bit…” My folks were native Milwaukeeans, and remember when there were areas of town that only spoke German (including churches – there’s even a “First English Church” for those NOT of the Master race…). But it meant that my parents and grandparents gave us a never-ending supply of idioms for us to make fun of them with. _Mom: “Hey, you going by Schuster’s?”_ Me: “I AM going by Schuster’s…” _Mom: “OH, good, can you get me…”_ Me: “…on my way to Goldblatt’s!” _Mom: (sigh)“I meant, are you going down by Schuster’s?”_ And they did the possessive store names (Nordstrom’s, Gimbel’s), and still _canNOT_ stop saying that someone had a medical problem so big that “…they went to Mayo’s”. But even they made fun of German transliterations like “I’m coming the back door out!” ---
**Author:** ![The\_Stafford\_Cripps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_stafford_cripps/32/7167_2.png) [@The\_Stafford\_Cripps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Stafford_Cripps)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2018, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-regional-vocal-tics/807956/60 "2018-02-02T15:15:45Z")
> [@Aspidistra](#): > > **@BaronGreenback** I’m pretty sure your “I’ve a…” rather than “I’ve got a…” is nearly as strong a Scotsman Identifier as your ayes. I’ve a feeling that you can always tell us Scotsmen by our ayes (and our taes ;)). A funny tic that I’ve noticed in the north east of Scotland: if you’re in a tea room or similar served by local ladies in their 50s or above, they will say ‘now’ just before they lay your drinks and cakes on the table. It’s quite an aspirated, melodic way of saying it, friendly but almost interrogative. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-regional-vocal-tics/807956.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-regional-vocal-tics/807956.md?page=4)