Whether you were born and raised in Maine or simply come here for vacation, there’s a good chance you’ve noticed that we don’t talk like our neighbors to the south. In fact, there are some things we say to each other that will truly leave out-of-staters scratching their heads in confusion. We love talking about these, so here’s another list of some of the best Maine-only phrases!
- We’re heading upta camp!
Jorge Quinteros / Flickr In another (weirder!) state this might be when you’re taking kids to camp or if you’re camping. In Maine, we head upta camp when we’re enjoying a weekend away at the lake. And, it’s the same phrase regardless of the luxury. Even a million-dollar home overlooking the water is camp to us! And, if that last bit describes your camp, get in touch with us. We’d like to become friends.
- There are so many flatlandahs up here this summer!
Tracey Lee Carroll / Flick We don’t call them tourists. That’s for people in other states. To us, tourists (and even people from Portland) are just called flatlanders.
- He lives all the way out there in the puckerbrush!
Navy Blue Stripes / Flickr If someone lives in the middle of nowhere, it’s fair to say they’re either in the puckerbrush or the willywags.
- Go get the snow boots, we left ‘em downcellah.
usnationalarchives / Flickr Downcellah is where we keep our life’s overflow. From boxes to tools to just about anything!
- Wait, no, they’re out in the dooryahd!
smilla4 / Flickr We’ve heard this used different ways, but we say this is the area in front of the house.
- They’re from all the way out in The County!
normanbleventhalmapcenter / Flickr It’s not necessary to say “Aroostook County.” We’ll know what you mean.
- You can’t get thah from heah, bub!
Mark Plummer / Flickr If someone says this to you in Maine, you can trust them. Just get back in your car and turn around.
- It’s not fair, just down the road apiece.
Doug Kerr / Flickr You’re likely to get this as directions, whether the place you’re going is 10 miles away or 110 miles away!
- Better bundle up, it’s gonna be wicked cold out tomorrow!
Corey Templeton / Flickr This one needs no explanation. But you can also use “wicked” for myriad other things. She’s wicked funny, wicked smart…just about anything that requires added emphasis.
- His car got all stove to hell!
Radenes / Flickr If you’re a bad driver, there’s a good chance this will happen to you. This is how we refer to a car that’s been bumped, bruised, scratched or otherwise damaged. Less common, and perhaps limited to our friends, it’s how we refer to people who have had a long night out.
Some of the phrases in Maine are unique to regions. Let us know what you things you hear in your part of Maine! Then, check out another Maine reality – the snow we’re expecting to get this winter!
Jorge Quinteros / Flickr
In another (weirder!) state this might be when you’re taking kids to camp or if you’re camping. In Maine, we head upta camp when we’re enjoying a weekend away at the lake. And, it’s the same phrase regardless of the luxury. Even a million-dollar home overlooking the water is camp to us! And, if that last bit describes your camp, get in touch with us. We’d like to become friends.
Tracey Lee Carroll / Flick
We don’t call them tourists. That’s for people in other states. To us, tourists (and even people from Portland) are just called flatlanders.
Navy Blue Stripes / Flickr
If someone lives in the middle of nowhere, it’s fair to say they’re either in the puckerbrush or the willywags.
usnationalarchives / Flickr
Downcellah is where we keep our life’s overflow. From boxes to tools to just about anything!
smilla4 / Flickr
We’ve heard this used different ways, but we say this is the area in front of the house.
normanbleventhalmapcenter / Flickr
It’s not necessary to say “Aroostook County.” We’ll know what you mean.
Mark Plummer / Flickr
If someone says this to you in Maine, you can trust them. Just get back in your car and turn around.
Doug Kerr / Flickr
You’re likely to get this as directions, whether the place you’re going is 10 miles away or 110 miles away!
Corey Templeton / Flickr
This one needs no explanation. But you can also use “wicked” for myriad other things. She’s wicked funny, wicked smart…just about anything that requires added emphasis.
Radenes / Flickr
If you’re a bad driver, there’s a good chance this will happen to you. This is how we refer to a car that’s been bumped, bruised, scratched or otherwise damaged. Less common, and perhaps limited to our friends, it’s how we refer to people who have had a long night out.
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