# "Yankee Words" **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 20, 2001, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yankee-words/94339 "2001-11-20T04:09:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![pestie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e5b9ba/32.png) [@pestie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pestie)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2001, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yankee-words/94339/41 "2001-11-21T17:13:45Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by elfkin477 \* > \*\* > > - Have you ever tried to explain what a frappe is to someone? > > People from the north country refer to snow mobiles as “snow machines” which makes the rest of us think of the machines that produce man made snow at ski resorts. > > - While this exchange seems normal enough to me > " Can I get you anything?" > " No thanks, I’m all set." > People from various other locations complain it’s mystifying. > > - If someone calls you a “hot shit” that means you’re funny. This seems to be a term exculsive to the south shore, though. > \*\* A frappe is a thick milk shake - right? I always hated that word. I never quite got the difference between a frappe and a milk shake, and have been corrected on more than one occasion. I had no idea “I’m all set” was a regional thing. I’ve heard it my whole life and just assumed it was universally understood. The “hot shit” thing is propagating. I hear it more and more in western Massachusetts now, but it’s definitely a recent development. ---
**Author:** ![Nutty\_Bunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/d07c76/32.png) [@Nutty\_Bunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nutty_Bunny)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2001, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yankee-words/94339/42 "2001-11-21T17:36:06Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Olentzero \* > **And to all you people throwing in NY/NJ/MD regionalisms as “Yankee” words… begone, infidels!** Okay. So if I’m a NY’er, I’m mid-Atlantic, then? That’s no fun. I don’t want to be lumped in with Maryland–we have nothing in common. According to people in the South, I was a Yankee, but according to you, I’m not?? Help me! I’m losing my identity. ::crying in fetal position:: “I…don’t…know…what…I…am!!” 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2001, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yankee-words/94339/43 "2001-11-21T18:05:34Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Nutty Bunny \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > \*Originally posted by Olentzero \* > > **And to all you people throwing in NY/NJ/MD regionalisms as “Yankee” words… begone, infidels!** > > Okay. So if I’m a NY’er, I’m mid-Atlantic, then? That’s no fun. I don’t want to be lumped in with Maryland–we have nothing in common. According to people in the South, I was a Yankee, but according to you, I’m not?? Help me! I’m losing my identity. ::crying in fetal position:: “I…don’t…know…what…I…am!!” 🙂 \*\* Awww, there there, don’t cry. I wouldn’t lump you with MD. I hate your baseball teams, but that’s no reason to say you’re not a Yankee. Of course, you’re not a New Englander, so I don’t think as much about you, but you’re still a yankee to me. ---
**Author:** ![Nutty\_Bunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/d07c76/32.png) [@Nutty\_Bunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nutty_Bunny)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2001, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yankee-words/94339/44 "2001-11-21T18:47:00Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by elfkin477 \* > \*\*…but you’re still a yankee to me. \*\* ::sniff:: (Sorry, Diane 😛 ) Aaaaawwwww. That’s the nicest thing anyone has said to me today. ---
**Author:** ![Olentzero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90ced4/32.png) [@Olentzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Olentzero)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2001, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yankee-words/94339/45 "2001-11-21T18:57:06Z")
**Mogwei22** Indeed you have. Grew up in Merrimack and moved to Hudson for a couple of years, but went to BG for high school in the late '80s. Lived on Fletcher Street by myself in the early '90s before moving down here to DC. **Telemark** Exit 8, back when it used to be Exit 8 with the toll booth and let out next to the Hannah Jack Tavern. (I don’t think it’s got a toll booth anymore and now it’s Exit 11.) So what’s you guys’ stories? **Nutty Bunny** - “Yankee” is defined by two groups - those who live south of the Mason-Dixon line, and those who live east of Lake Champlain and north of Stamford. The former is an exclusionary definition, the latter is inclusionary. People in NY, NY, PA and MD don’t have a say in it. Sorry. 😛 **elfkin477** So you’re going 40 mph in NH. Big deal. We actually drive with a modicum of sense up there. Not like them Massh\*le drivers. The hell, do they put driver’s licences in the Cracker Jack boxes down there? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Why\_A\_Duck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/13edae/32.png) [@Why\_A\_Duck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Why_A_Duck)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2001, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yankee-words/94339/46 "2001-11-21T19:19:53Z")
A frappe is a milk-shake with ice cream. Very simple. But for some reason when some damn foreigner comes in and orders a milk-shake, they act shocked when it’s just milk and syrup. Another ex-southern NH doper checking in. Grew up in Manch-Vegas. Moved to Connecticut years ago, so at least I’m still a New Englander (I’d use the Y word, but being a Sox fan that just ain’t right). ---
**Author:** ![Mogwei22](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@Mogwei22](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mogwei22)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2001, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yankee-words/94339/47 "2001-11-21T19:38:22Z")
**Telemark & Olentzero** I was born in Salem, MA then moved to Nashua when I was 9 or so and ended up there for about 12 years till I moved back to MA…gravitational pull or something. While in Nashua I lived off of Exit 7E…off Concord St. pretty close to Merrimack and in smelling distance of the Anheiser brewery on hot summer days. I was quite surprised to recently find out that Exit 2 on Rte 3 does now exist…as well as to hear that Exit 8 is now Exit 11. The **frappe** thing: I worked at Haagen Dazs for a while…I was yelled on a few occasions by foreign people (Non-New England)for not knowing what their version of a milkshake/frappe/soda was. :rolleyes: There was also some intense debates on whether the chocolate sprinkles were indeed sprinkles, jimmies, shots or shards. An then someone would always have to be a wise guy and decide to order an egg cream and throw everyone into a tizzy. ---
**Author:** ![Nutty\_Bunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/d07c76/32.png) [@Nutty\_Bunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nutty_Bunny)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2001, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yankee-words/94339/48 "2001-11-21T20:10:46Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Mogwei22_ > > **Nutty Bunny** - “Yankee” is defined by two groups - those who live south of the Mason-Dixon line, and those who live east of Lake Champlain and north of Stamford. The former is an exclusionary definition, the latter is inclusionary. People in NY, NY, PA and MD don’t have a say in it. Sorry. 😛 Not to nitpick [sub]but I will anyway[/sub]–I can see your point that it is an exclusionary term in the south, but in the traditional sense of the word, isn’t “Yankee” used to describe anyone **north** of the Mason-Dixon line? Then the term “New Englander” would be a further narrowing of the definition of the broader term, “Yankee”. SO I AM A YANKEE, G\*DDAMNIT!! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![robinh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b77776/32.png) [@robinh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robinh)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2001, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yankee-words/94339/49 "2001-11-21T20:11:24Z")
I grew up in Maine (Old Town) and have lived most of my adult life outside Boston. I’ve managed to keep what accent I have fairly mild, but I did have to make some conscious changes, like saying that something is “in the basement” rather than “down cellar.” The word “wicked” will still slip out once in a while. My mom uses a phrase that seems distinctly Maine-based. Anything that is cute or adorable is described as “cunning” though, of course, the “g” is left off. And, where I come from, subs are called “Italians.” ---
**Author:** ![Mogwei22](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@Mogwei22](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mogwei22)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2001, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yankee-words/94339/50 "2001-11-21T20:23:02Z")
**Nutty Bunny** > [@](#): > > ## quote: > > Originally posted by Mogwei22 > > ## Nutty Bunny - “Yankee” is defined by two groups - those who live south of the Mason-Dixon line, and those who live east of Lake Champlain and north of Stamford. The former is an exclusionary definition, the latter is inclusionary. People in NY, NY, PA and MD don’t have a say in it. Sorry. Methinks you have me confused with someone else. ---
**Author:** ![nineiron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e56c9b/32.png) [@nineiron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nineiron)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2001, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yankee-words/94339/51 "2001-11-21T21:34:04Z")
Around here, you can tell an out-of-towner when he says that the University of Massachusetts is located in “Am-herst.” Everyone around here just says “Am-erst.” Here in Western Mass, we all say “milkshake” even when it has ice cream in it. “Frappe” is not used (in my town, anyway). Also, in my town, we drink from water fountains and eat grinders. I, too, was unaware that “I’m all set” is regional. I say that to everyone from waitresses to clerks at the store. What is the non-Yankee equivalent, then? “I’m good”? “Everything’s fine”? “Go away”? Pestie, where in Western Mass are you from? ---
**Author:** ![Miss\_Creant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b487fb/32.png) [@Miss\_Creant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miss_Creant)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2001, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yankee-words/94339/52 "2001-11-21T21:43:22Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by racinchikki \* > \*\*Anybody else say “tchochke” to mean “random collectible crap to take up space on the shelf”? My friends and family do but I’m not sure how widespread it is. > > \*\* Honey, its very widespread. the word is \*\*tchochkes \*\*: little playthings, ornaments, birc-a-brac, toys ---
**Author:** ![racinchikki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eada6e/32.png) [@racinchikki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racinchikki)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2001, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yankee-words/94339/53 "2001-11-21T21:47:26Z")
I had a feeling it was Yiddish. It’s just that nobody I’ve ever used the word in front of, outside the Northeast, seemed to have any clue what I was talking about, even after I explained. ---
**Author:** ![anu-la1979](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/47e85d/32.png) [@anu-la1979](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anu-la1979)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2001, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yankee-words/94339/54 "2001-11-22T01:13:13Z")
Oh my god…CAN’T believe how many New England dopers are on here making fun of our beloved accent. Exactly half and half-Canayjun meself (in lifespan). I claim to hate it but I just love to hate to love it. Hmm, not too comfortable saying e-zackly where I’m from but let’s just say the Hanscom planes fly close to home and the redcoats and minutemen tussled around these he-ah pahts. It’s all about the “R” migration baby. You take “ah” out of some words…i.e. car…“cah” and you put it in other words like data, “datar.” Also “you’se guys” down in Rhode Island be knowin’ it’s all about the “drawrs” (as opposed to draw-ers…drawers). wick-ed for su-ah, anu ---
**Author:** ![anu-la1979](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/47e85d/32.png) [@anu-la1979](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anu-la1979)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2001, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yankee-words/94339/55 "2001-11-22T01:14:20Z")
that should be half-yank and half-canayjun. ---
**Author:** ![DAVEW0071](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e19b73/32.png) [@DAVEW0071](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DAVEW0071)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2001, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yankee-words/94339/56 "2001-11-22T13:58:13Z")
A friend whose parents live in Rhode Island wanted me to mention the “Yard Sale”, pronounced “Yod Sale.” Apparently they are what people call garage sales elsewhere. I’m surprised no one has mentioned the Maine habit of calling the driveway the “dooryard.” Don’t know if this qualifies for this thread, but it’s two sides to the same statewide misconception. People in western New York, when they hear that someone is originally from downstate, assume they mean Long Island. People who live in New York City consider anything north and west of Yonkers as “upstate.” I live in Rockland County, which borders New Jersey. I am neither on Long Island nor upstate, being only 30 miles or so from the George Washington Bridge. ---
**Author:** ![Balduran](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/cc9497/32.png) [@Balduran](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balduran)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2001, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yankee-words/94339/57 "2001-11-22T15:41:39Z")
Regarding Touque > [@](#): > > Actually, I was wondering if it was a Canadian influence. My husband is from Albany and he had never hear of it, while I grew up near the border (close to Ontario and Quebec). Also, it’s a French spelling, which is why I’m thinking it may be a “Canadian” or, more specifically, a “Quebecian(?)” word. > > Any Canadian Dopers want to verify this? I tried an internet search and didn’t find much, but everyone in Canada has a touque and refers to it that way. I think the origin is probably from France. I’m suprised you Americans haven’t changed it to “Tuke” for efficiency 😉 BTW I would say **Quebecois**. ---
**Author:** ![Phouchg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/41988e/32.png) [@Phouchg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phouchg)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2001, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yankee-words/94339/58 "2001-11-22T16:08:01Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by elfkin477 \* > [B} \* Haverhill is properly pronounced with the “hav” sound from the word **hav** en + rill. Portsmouth is ports+myth, similar with Plymouth. > \*\* I grew up in Haverhill, and used to work in Exeter (pronounced eggs-eter) and Portsmouth. It always drove me nuts to heal people pronounce it Haa-vur-hill. ONLY TWO SYLLABLES!!! Also the town just across the NH border is spelled “Plaistow” but everybody knows it is pronounced Plahs-toe, not Plays-taow. Growing up, we drank “tonic”, used the “bubbler” (bubblah), ate “subs”, drank “frappes”, dropped our clothes off at the “cleansers” (oddly enough, pronouced “cleaners”). We also went “down the beach” and “up the mountains”. Things were “wicked cool” or “wicked awesome”, unless you were “retahded”. Something really “wick awesome” was “pissa” or “classic”. My mother’s name is “MA” not Mom. Her parents are “Grammy and Grandpa”. The side of the “highway” (not freeway) is called the “breakdown lane”, not the shoulder. We put “jimmies” on our ice cream instead of sprinkles. I have lived in Southern Calfornia for 7 years, but when people meet me, they instantly pickup on my accent that I thought I had lost…“are you from back east”? I slipped and asked somebody at work to get me a can of tonic, and they looked at me (as Jean Sheperd would say) like I had lobsters crawling out of my ears. Phouchg Lovable Rogue ---
**Author:** ![bibliophile](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e36b37/32.png) [@bibliophile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophile)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2001, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yankee-words/94339/59 "2001-11-22T17:03:48Z")
there are a couple of names for sandwiches in jersey. in central jersey you get a sub, but in south jersey you get a hoagie. ---
**Author:** ![Palve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a698b9/32.png) [@Palve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palve)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2001, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yankee-words/94339/60 "2001-11-22T23:17:25Z")
They’re “subs” of course. I only know “hoagie” from the Simpsons, and I’ve never heard of a “grinder.” “Wicked” is a northernism? Weird. I thought everybody said it. Wicked. It’s a “checkmark” not a “tickmark”. A tickmark is what you get when a tick bites you. When I see an “r” I say an “r”. I don’t leave it out or stick it in where it doesn’t belong (warsh or idear…shudder). And the “l” in almond is **silent**. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yankee-words/94339.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yankee-words/94339.md?page=4)