Hint: Make sure you grab a lobster roll if you find yourself in this state! If you have a bazz on in Maine, it means you’ve had one too many in terms of alcoholic drinks. And for more tipsy states, check out This Is the Drunkest State in America. Hint: This was the first state to elect a woman—Jeanette Rankin—to Congress. And for more female accomplishments, check out the Amazing Achievements by Women Every Year for the Last 50 Years. If someone tells you to cowboy up in Montana, they’re telling you to approach a difficult situation in a mature or adult way. Hint: This state has several nicknames, one of which is “The Grand Canyon State.” If you hear someone from Arizona say that you have chizhii skin, you might want to grab some lotion. This adjective is used to describe something that’s similar in texture to firewood—typically rough or dry skin. And for more funny phrases, check out These Are All of the Slang Terms You’re Too Old to Use After 40. Hint: This state was the last one to actually join the United States. You definitely don’t want to be shark bait. This is a term used in Hawaii to describe tourists so pale that they attract sharks. Hint: The United States Air Force Academy is located in this state. You don’t want to be a gaper in Colorado, seeing as this is a derogatory term for a novice skier. And for more terms from a long time ago, check out This Is the Most Popular Slang Word the Year You Were Born. Hint: This retirement-friendly state has the most golf courses in all of America. In Florida, you’ll want to make sure you know how to do the stingray shuffle. No, this isn’t a fancy dance move—it’s the act of moving your feet in the ocean to avoid stepping on a stingray. Hint: This state was the first to ratify the constitution. In Delaware, bagging up is a good thing. It’s simply a way of saying that someone is laughing. And for more fun phrases and facts delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter. Hint: This peachy state is home to one of the busiest airports in the world. In Georgia, when someone tells you to quit being ugly, “ugly” refers to your attitude. So anyone who uses this phrase is suggesting you alter your negative behavior. Hint: This state’s name translates to “snow-covered” in Spanish. Long-hauled is slang you’ll typically hear in Las Vegas, and it describes the practice of taxi drivers taking you on a longer route than necessary so they can overcharge you. Hint: In this state, “mountaineers are always free.” Peck is a unit of measurement in West Virginia, and it typically refers to a considerable amount of something. Hint: This state’s name means “green mountain” in French. Are you a flatlander? If you’re in Vermont and you’re not native to the state, then the answer is yes. Hint: Before he passed away, Elvis Presley actually held his last concert in this state. Oddly enough, naptown refers to the busy city of Indianapolis, and doesn’t actually have anything at all to do with napping. Hint: You can “discover the excellence” in this state. In Oklahoma, this term has nothing to do with insects. If you’re grocery shopping in this state, you’ll need a buggy—or a shopping cart, as you probably know it. Hint: This state is the dairy capital of the country. When you yell cripes in Wisconsin, you’re letting people know that you’re surprised or confused. Hint: This state is notoriously hard to spell. When you’re fixin’ to do something in Mississippi, then you’re about to partake in a particular activity. For example, if you’re about to go grocery shopping, you’re fixin’ to go to the store. Hint: This state’s flag is the only one to feature different designs on each side. Going to the Hood in Oregon? That just means you’re scaling the state’s tallest mountain, Mount Hood. Hint: This state is nicknamed “The Cave State.” Bringing your groceries home? Well, in Missouri, you’re not bringing them back in a bag—you’re bringing them back in a sack. Hint: This state hosts the world’s largest international hot air balloon festival every year. No, New Mexicans aren’t looking for Santa Claus year-round. In this state, the term Christmas is used when someone wants both red and green chile on their dish. Hint: Legendary groundhog Punxsutawney Phil hails from this state. You guys, y’all, you all—they all mean the same thing. And in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the slang term of choice is youse. Youse better believe it! Hint: Actress Jada Pinkett Smith is from this state. And, if you’re looking to test your state celebrity knowledge, find out if you Can Guess the State Based On Its Most Famous Celebrity. Jimmy is another word for a male blue crab, of which there are plenty in the state of Maryland. Hint: This state was the birthplace of the first Pizza Hut. If you were to post a photo of your food on social media in Kansas, you would tag it as #yums. As you might have already guessed, using this term would simply indicate that you found your food to be, well, yummy! Hint: Former president Barack Obama is a big deal in this state. Grabowski is generally used in reference to the large Polish-American population in Illinois. However, the slang term is hardly an insult; rather, it’s seen as a term of endearment and is primarily used to describe someone as hardworking. Hint: The capitol building for this state is the tallest one in the United States. In Louisiana, to pass a good time simply means to have fun. Hint: Ever wondered where the street names of the properties in Monopoly come from? They’re all in this state. Being a benny in New Jersey isn’t exactly a good thing. The term is a derogatory name for Bayonne, Elizabeth, Newark, and New York-area residents who flock to the Jersey Shore in the summer—something Snooki and The Situation have probably heard before. Hint: The only active diamond mine in the United States is located in this state. When you’ve reached the end of your patience, you can say that you’re bowed up. This phrase comes from the way a snake bows up its head before it strikes. Hint: This is the least populous state in the country. If someone in Wyoming tells you something will take a couple two three or they want a couple two three of something, they are simply using their state’s vernacular to say “a few.” Hint: The first ever capital of the United States was in this state. If you grill someone in New York, it has nothing to due with the barbecue; rather, it means you’re staring at them. So, the next time you visit The Big Apple, don’t be afraid to tell people to stop grilling you so hard! Hint: You might see some “beautiful places” and “smiling faces” in this state. In South Carolina, happier than a pig in mud means exactly what it sounds like. It’s used to describe extreme jubilation—the same happiness that a pig feels when it’s rolling around in a cool patch of mud. Hint: You might want to keep a close eye on your tea in this state. In Massachusetts, you’re likely to hear “I’m going Dunks”; it’s a shorter way of explaining you’re hitting up Dunkin’ Donuts, which was founded in the state. Hint: Unsurprisingly, this state is known for its potatoes. The potato drop is a unique Idaho tradition. It’s a New Year’s event much like the ball drop in New York City’s Times Square—but instead of a ball that’s lowered, it’s a giant glowing potato.ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb Hint: This state’s license plates boast that it was “First in Flight.” Late in North Carolina doesn’t mean that someone’s running behind. For people in North Carolina, it just refers to any time after 6 p.m. Hint: This state is home to Snake Alley, which has been called “the most crooked street in the world.” This snack—usually made with cereal, peanut butter, chocolate, and more—has its fair share of nicknames: monkey munch, muddy buddies, muddy munch, reindeer chow…the list goes on. However, the popular snack is referred to as puppy chow in Iowa, so that’s what you should ask for if you’re craving the decadent treat. Hint: This state hosts a famous horserace that shares its name. People in Kentucky use the term ‘ville to refer to the city of Louisville. Hint: This state is known for the famous Mall of America. When you say oh for in Minnesota, you can follow it up with a veritable number of words, ranging from cute to sure. Just make sure that whatever you use is positive, seeing as this phrase is meant to show excitement or delight. Hint: When you visit this state, you won’t want to miss its weird roadside attractions. (Carhenge, anyone?) If you’re in Nebraska, try a red beer. It’s beer mixed with tomato juice—and sometimes, a shot of hot sauce, too. Hint: This state has only bore one president: George W. Bush. Apizza doesn’t refer to any old pizza in Connecticut. Rather, it’s the popular, thin-crust, New Haven-style of pizza that’s similar to traditional Neapolitan-style pizzas baked in coal-fired brick ovens. Hint: This is the only state with a state-owned bank. If you’re in North Dakota, you might come across a Dakrat, otherwise known as a Richardson’s ground squirrel. Hint: This Golden State is also the most populous in the country. Though it’s now a mainstream slang term, hella originated as slang in California. Basically, it’s just used to replace the word very in any given sentence. Hint: In this state, you “live free or die.” Did you bang a U-ey in New Hampshire? No worries—it’s nothing bad. It just means you made a U-turn. Hint: This is the only state consisting of two different peninsulas. If you’re a fudgie in Michigan, then you’re a tourist in the northern Lower Peninsula or on Mackinac Island. This name derives from the fact that so many of these tourists end up spending most of their time in the popular fudge shops found in the area. Hint: It was the last of the 13 original colonies to become a state. If you’re having an awful awful in Rhode Island, it might not actually be so awful. It’s a tasty milkshake native to the state—a concoction of whole milk, flavored syrup, and “secret” frozen ice milk. Hint: You can find an entire building made of corn in this state. If you’re saying something’s pert near in South Dakota, you’re just saying it’s close by or “pretty near.” Hint: This state is home to the highest peak in North America. In Alaska, outside refers to any state that’s not Alaska. Some people will use it only in terms of the mainland and thusly exclude Hawaii. Hint: Perhaps you should try volunteering in this state since it’s called “The Volunteer State,” after all. In Tennessee, Smokies is just a local name for the Great Smoky Mountains found in the state. Hint: Everything’s bigger in this state. In Texas, if you’re giving the kicker, you’re giving the last and most persuasive reason or argument in a conversation. Hint: This state is known for its large Mormon population. You’ll often find kids wanting to sluff in Utah. This slang term refers to when someone skips or ditches something boring, like class. Hint: Aviation heroes the Wright Brothers grew up in this state. In Ohio, buckeye is versatile word. It can describe a native Ohioan, the previously pictured tree and its accompanying nut, and a chocolate-covered peanut butter candy popular in the state. Hint: This state is for lovers. In Virginia, yonder refers to a distance rather than a location. So, if a Virginia native says that something is “over yonder,” then what they mean is that it’s within sight. Hint: It’s the only state named after a United States president. In Washington, pre-funk refers to what most people would call a pre-game. It’s that time before attending an event or function when you gather with friends and have a few drinks. Hint: This state is known for its crimson tide—and accompanying pride. In Alabama, when someone says that something is a ways away, they can mean anything from 10 minutes to two hours. It’s a measurement of time that isn’t particularly specific.
