Even though our state is tiny, Delawareans are a divided group when it comes to the way we speak. After a few minutes of conversation, you can generally get an idea as to which part of the state someone is from – whether it be below the canal or, in some cases, you can pin down the neighborhood in Wilmington. And while we’re generally an agreeable bunch, there are some words and phrase in the Delaware vocabulary that we will just not agree on, as they are pronounced differently or even consist of entirely different words. Where do you stand on the following?
- Hoagie vs Sub
Flickr / Plan Philly A lot of Delaware vocabulary is based on food, which isn’t all that surprising. This one is mostly regional, but there are people above the canal that will insist it’s a sub, whereas I’ve run into people ordering hoagies in Georgetown. Regardless of what you call it, you find the other name to be an abomination.
- Slower Lower vs Lower Slower
Flickr / Phil Moyer Okay, this one is just goofy. It’s been Slower, Lower for as long as I can remember. I’m pretty sure “Lower Slower” started because people think magnets with “LSD” on them are funny. What do you all say?Whatever you call it, it starts at the Canal in New Castle County.
- Herintin vs Harrington
Flickr / Norman B. Leventhal Collection This one isn’t so much regional as it is native vs transplant, in what I’ve seen. If you grew up here, it’s Herintin. If you’re an outsider, you pronounce all the letters.
- Spicket vs Spigot
Flickr / Kerry Lannert When I was younger, I got into an argument with a friend from out of state about the word “spicket.” Eventually, we looked it up in a dictionary so she could prove to me that “spicket” isn’t a word. I still don’t believe her.
- Water vs Wooder
Flickr / Matt This one is different all throughout the state! Which do you say, water or “wooder”?
- Soda vs Pop
Flickr / Jannes Pockele The majority of people in Delaware say “soda” when they’re ordering a fizzy drink, but Pop definitely has its following. And when you’ve got your mind made up about what this drink is called, there’s no changing it!
- Creek vs Crick
Flickr / Jimmy Emerson, DVM Is it “Little Creek” or “Little Crick”? You’ll get different answers all over the state.
- Y’all vs Youse
Flickr / Jeffrey Here’s a Delaware Vocabularly Quick. Choose The Most Correct Answer:
a) “Did y’all go to the Sea Witch Parade?” b) “Did youse go to the Sea Witch Parade?” c) “Did youse guys go to the Sea Witch Parade?” d) “Did you all go to the Sea Witch Parade, why am I taking this test, is it really that hard to use the words you’re supposed to use?”
- Crayons vs Crowns
Flickr / Sasha Nilov I’ve heard both of these equally in the state, and whichever one you don’t say always ends up sounding a little funny.
- Sink vs Zink
Flickr / Jed Sullivan In some places, Zink is a part of the Delaware vocabulary. In other places, people may look at you strangely if you tell them you’re going to wash your hands and you don’t use the word sink. I’ve found this one to be regional, too!
One thing we CAN agree on, though, is that tourists and people not from Delmarva have a really hard time pronouncing our town names – hearing someone say “Newark” is like nails on a chalkboard to Delawareans! Check out this video of mispronounced town names and see if you agree.
Flickr / Plan Philly
A lot of Delaware vocabulary is based on food, which isn’t all that surprising. This one is mostly regional, but there are people above the canal that will insist it’s a sub, whereas I’ve run into people ordering hoagies in Georgetown. Regardless of what you call it, you find the other name to be an abomination.
Flickr / Phil Moyer
Okay, this one is just goofy. It’s been Slower, Lower for as long as I can remember. I’m pretty sure “Lower Slower” started because people think magnets with “LSD” on them are funny. What do you all say?Whatever you call it, it starts at the Canal in New Castle County.
Flickr / Norman B. Leventhal Collection
This one isn’t so much regional as it is native vs transplant, in what I’ve seen. If you grew up here, it’s Herintin. If you’re an outsider, you pronounce all the letters.
Flickr / Kerry Lannert
When I was younger, I got into an argument with a friend from out of state about the word “spicket.” Eventually, we looked it up in a dictionary so she could prove to me that “spicket” isn’t a word. I still don’t believe her.
Flickr / Matt
This one is different all throughout the state! Which do you say, water or “wooder”?
Flickr / Jannes Pockele
The majority of people in Delaware say “soda” when they’re ordering a fizzy drink, but Pop definitely has its following. And when you’ve got your mind made up about what this drink is called, there’s no changing it!
Flickr / Jimmy Emerson, DVM
Is it “Little Creek” or “Little Crick”? You’ll get different answers all over the state.
Flickr / Jeffrey
Here’s a Delaware Vocabularly Quick. Choose The Most Correct Answer:
a) “Did y’all go to the Sea Witch Parade?” b) “Did youse go to the Sea Witch Parade?” c) “Did youse guys go to the Sea Witch Parade?” d) “Did you all go to the Sea Witch Parade, why am I taking this test, is it really that hard to use the words you’re supposed to use?”
Flickr / Sasha Nilov
I’ve heard both of these equally in the state, and whichever one you don’t say always ends up sounding a little funny.
Flickr / Jed Sullivan
In some places, Zink is a part of the Delaware vocabulary. In other places, people may look at you strangely if you tell them you’re going to wash your hands and you don’t use the word sink. I’ve found this one to be regional, too!
Mispronouncing words is just one struggle of life in Delaware – are you familiar with any of the other ones on our list of 10 Struggles Everyone In Delaware Can Relate To?
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