# Your local regionalisms for institutions and places **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 14, 2026, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-local-regionalisms-for-institutions-and-places/1030068 "2026-05-14T15:42:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2026, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-local-regionalisms-for-institutions-and-places/1030068/21 "2026-05-15T02:25:56Z")
In LA we have " Sigalert" which tells you about freeway traffic conditions. Named after Loyd Sigmon. You would see a red warning mess on Sigalert with a _Carmageddon_- a huge, long traffic jam caused by a Freeway closure. “Dude” is/can be gender neutral. “The Industry” means TV and Film. “I got a job in the Industry.” Surfer/Valley slang is not used as much as the internet would tell you. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2026, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-local-regionalisms-for-institutions-and-places/1030068/22 "2026-05-15T02:38:00Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > My dad grew up in Watertown! Watertown HS graduate, even. I’ve never been to Boston myself, but I’d like to visit at some point and see the streets he grew up on. Oh, cool. There are bits that will have been updated but still be intact - the Library, Mt. Auburn Cemetery, and the Town Diner (there for 70 years) come to mind. ---
**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:** [May 15, 2026, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-local-regionalisms-for-institutions-and-places/1030068/23 "2026-05-15T02:39:23Z")
Many years ago when Missouri had blue (Sunday shopping) laws all the supermarkets were closed. There was a chain of tiny little convenience stores named Quick Shop that sold milk, bread and a bare handful of canned goods and other staples that were allowed. The Quick Shop chain eventually closed down with the rise of 7-11 and other convenience stores, and the eventual Sunday opening of supermarkets. But for at least two generations after the last one folded, St. Louisans continued to say, “I’m going to the Quick Shop” whenever they need to pick something up. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2026, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-local-regionalisms-for-institutions-and-places/1030068/24 "2026-05-15T03:14:55Z")
> [@Maserschmidt](#): > > There are bits that will have been updated but still be intact - the Library, Mt. Auburn Cemetery, and the Town Diner (there for 70 years) come to mind. I worked in the Watertown Arsenal for a few years. The Massachusetts Turnpike is universally called The Pike, and never I-90. Rt 128 (the inner ring highway around Boston) coincides with I-95 for most of its length. Locals always refer to it as 128, newcomers use 95. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2026, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-local-regionalisms-for-institutions-and-places/1030068/25 "2026-05-15T03:23:40Z")
> [@Maserschmidt](#): > > the Town Diner (there for 70 years) come to mind. My dad was born in 1950, so he could have eaten there when it was new. Unfortunately their website is in 403 Forbidden mode right now, so I can’t see what their menu looks like, but if it’s anything like your standard diner fare I could probably go for a chicken-fried steak breakfast. ---
**Author:** ![Author\_Balk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Author\_Balk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Author_Balk)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2026, 11:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-local-regionalisms-for-institutions-and-places/1030068/26 "2026-05-15T11:45:21Z")
I live in the southern United States, and terms are generally known. But, growing up as a Mormon in Utah, we had our own language. I lived in a “ward” which was a few city blocks. Everyone who lived on those blocks went to the same church. Then there was the “stake center”. A stake is a collection of wards. So, the stake center was sort of like the main office. Seminary was a high school class during school hours (for me) that taught religious stuff. And so on. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2026, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-local-regionalisms-for-institutions-and-places/1030068/27 "2026-05-15T11:53:05Z")
The DC metropolitan area in general is known as the “DMV,” and what everyone else calls the “DMV,” Maryland has the “MVA\*\*,\*\*” or “Motor Vehicle Administration.” On the Eastern Shore the area comprising parts of Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia are known as “Delmarva.” ---
**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:** [May 15, 2026, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-local-regionalisms-for-institutions-and-places/1030068/28 "2026-05-15T12:19:38Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > The Massachusetts Turnpike is universally called The Pike, and never I-90. Back when I was in high school, myself and some friends and driven to Chicago and gotten ourselves lost on the way back home. I went into a store and asked for directions, then had to go back and ask what “The Dan Ryan” was as his first direction was ‘get on the Dan Ryan’. For those not from the area, it’s just the local term for the freeway. ---
**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:** [May 15, 2026, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-local-regionalisms-for-institutions-and-places/1030068/29 "2026-05-15T12:26:27Z")
> [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#): > > Ain’t they purdy? > [Google Image Result](https://share.google/9ft0xVKCWCN2VFvTH) Now now, don’t fool the people from benighted places that have government-run liquor stores. ABC Fine Wine and Spirits is a Florida commercial chain of alcohol supermarkets. They have about 125 stores all over the state. Per their website’s potted history, they chose the “ABC” name to be first in the phone book. > **[ABC Fine Wine & Spirits | Home](https://abcfws.com/)** > > Welcome to ABC Fine Wine & Spirits, your go-to destination for all your celebratory needs. Explore our curated selection of fine wines and spirits. Shop now! ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2026, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-local-regionalisms-for-institutions-and-places/1030068/30 "2026-05-15T12:26:58Z")
Canada has a variety of terms that aren’t used in the U.S. like “parkade” (for a parking garage) or “gas bar” (for a gas station, at least the part with the pumps). ---
**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:** [May 15, 2026, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-local-regionalisms-for-institutions-and-places/1030068/31 "2026-05-15T12:32:48Z")
So, just a coincidence? Man, I need a drink. ---
**Author:** ![MrAtoz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MrAtoz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrAtoz)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2026, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-local-regionalisms-for-institutions-and-places/1030068/32 "2026-05-15T12:56:53Z")
Nevertheless, state-operated liquor stores are called “ABC Stores” in some states. The Wikipedia article on [Alcoholic beverage control](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcoholic_beverage_control_state) states includes pictures of ABC stores, labeled as such, in Virginia and North Carolina. Not as fancy as ABC Fine Wine and Spirits, but still a thing. ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2026, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-local-regionalisms-for-institutions-and-places/1030068/33 "2026-05-15T14:57:43Z")
In SC liquor stores might be referred to as the ‘red dot store.’ Back in the old days, liquor stores were restricted in how they could advertise, so one enterprising gent, looking at a pack of Lucy Strikes, came up with the idea of big red “dots” to advertise liquor. And it caught on, so now, if you see big red dots (usually three) on a sign, you know it’s a liquor store. ---
**Author:** ![ThisSpaceForRent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thisspaceforrent/32/345_2.png) [@ThisSpaceForRent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThisSpaceForRent)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2026, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-local-regionalisms-for-institutions-and-places/1030068/34 "2026-05-15T18:02:41Z")
I currently live in Springfield after having been gone for 35 years. I learned to cook here and left to take my skills on the road. Most place currently, in Springfield don’t know how to make the sauce correctly… it SHOULD NOT be cheese wiz or canned cheese “sauce”… It should be most like if not exactly a rarebit sauce. ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2026, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-local-regionalisms-for-institutions-and-places/1030068/35 "2026-05-15T18:31:04Z")
D’Arcy’s Pint, Dublin Pub, and The Brickhouse all have extraordinary 'shoes with exquisite sauce. I doubt that I’ve ever had a genuine rarebit sauce, but these places aren’t serving canned cheese, I promise you. ETA: Mrs. Homie and I are going to Springfield tomorrow for Pridefest and the Old State Capitol Art Fair. My mouth has been watering for the 'shoe Imma get for supper Saturday night for about a week now. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2026, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-local-regionalisms-for-institutions-and-places/1030068/36 "2026-05-15T19:30:51Z")
> [@Thing.Fish](#): > > My understanding is that it implies a supermarket-sized store, as opposed to a plain “liquor store”, which might be more modest The Michigan use I’m describing is for what I’d call a liquor store or maybe corner store, a lotto tickets, ice, cigs, and pint of scotch sort of place. Just like here, the closest liquor/party store even might be primarily a gas station or Walgreens. “Are there any party stores open late on Sunday near you?” We have some larger warehouse model liquor places here, one I’m thinking of is called Liquor Barn, but I can’t think of a collective term. ---
**Author:** ![Paintcharge](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/paintcharge/32/7946_2.png) [@Paintcharge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paintcharge)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2026, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-local-regionalisms-for-institutions-and-places/1030068/37 "2026-05-15T21:10:15Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > " Sigalert" which tells you about freeway traffic conditions. When I got to San Diego, I never saw it spelled. And I always thought it was related to weather. I always figured it had something to do with cigarettes and the resulting smoke from them. Of course I know butts can’t make enough smog to impact weather, but it seemed like a good enough guess at the time. ---
**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:** [May 15, 2026, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-local-regionalisms-for-institutions-and-places/1030068/38 "2026-05-15T22:33:21Z")
> [@jnglmassiv](#): > > ‘Party store’ is used in Michigan for beer & liquor store. Some were drive-thru, and they do mean thru, between the walls front to back like a barn. This is what I was going to post. I think I was just into adulthood before I found out that a small neighborhood store that sold alcohol, snacks and various other convenience items was not called a ‘party store’ anywhere but in Michigan, and possibly just SE Michigan. Then there’s the term ‘bubbler’ for a drinking fountain that is exclusive to Wisconsin and parts of the east coast, like Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Interesting story behind that— apparently a traveling salesman back in the day sold drinking fountains that had the brand name ‘bubbler’. He started his selling journey in Wisconsin and worked his way east before he quit. For some reason the name only stuck in Wisconsin and parts of the east coast, not in between. ---
**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:** [May 16, 2026, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-local-regionalisms-for-institutions-and-places/1030068/39 "2026-05-16T00:12:45Z")
Growing up out there I knew the term and what it meant from when I was old enough to understand watching TV. I was about 20 when I learned the origin story. > **[Sig Alert](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sig_Alert)** > > Sig alert, Sig-alert or Sigalert in California, as well as other parts of the United States, means an incident that significantly disrupts road traffic. The term was originally the name of a pioneering system of automated radio broadcasts regarding traffic conditions, introduced in the 1950s and named after its inventor, Loyd Sigmon. > A Sigalert is defined by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) as "any unplanned event that causes the closing of one lane of traffic for 30 minutes or more". In pr... ---
**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:** [May 16, 2026, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-local-regionalisms-for-institutions-and-places/1030068/40 "2026-05-16T00:24:55Z")
Unca Cecil’s column on drinking fountains: > **[Why do some water fountains produce two streams of water that merge into one?](https://www.straightdope.com/21341945/why-do-some-water-fountains-produce-two-streams-of-water-that-merge-into-one)** [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-local-regionalisms-for-institutions-and-places/1030068.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-local-regionalisms-for-institutions-and-places/1030068.md?page=3)