Idahoans don’t have an accent — at least that we know of — but we do have our own language of sorts. Truth be told, it can be hard to pinpoint unique language qualities and phrases that are unique to Idaho as a state, rather than to one specific part, but there are are few habits many of us seem to share. Sure, our colloquialisms and tendencies may befuddle outsiders and urban-dwellers every now and then, but that’s simply because all those skyscrapers affect their ability to speak correctly, right? Yep, here in Idaho, we pronounce things, name things, and navigate by things using their proper linguistic form… most of the time.
Here are some unique things you might just hear fellow Idahoans say.
- We know the name of every mountain in Idaho.
Roy Luck Snowyside Peak, Bald Mountain, Mount Church, Castle Peak… they’re not just beautiful, pointy, generic rocks. They’re family.
- It’s Boise, with an ‘S.’
Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce/Flickr It’s pronounced exactly how it’s spelled, and I don’t see a ‘z’ in there, do you? Say it after me, “BOY-SEE.” And while you’re at it, Mos-COW is in Russia; Mos-COH is in Idaho. Don’t let the spelling fool you!
- This is a crick.
Linda Paul/Flickr
This is a creek.
Amy Ross/Flickr
This is a river.
Forest Service Northern Region/Flickr They’re all different. And they all have names, too – just like our mountains. Idahoans know their geography!
- We always start off stories by saying we were just “sittin’ there.”
Nicolas Boullosa/Flickr … when in fact we most definitely weren’t sitting. As in, “There I was, jus’ sittin’ there, when this giant trout flailing around nearly broke my rod in half.” (I’m sure your fishing stories are better than mine, though!)
- As a state, we actually know how to pronounce “GIF.”
Roland Tanglao/Flickr We’re collectively not sorry. It just feels right.
- Directions are given using the stoplight as a landmark.
Ross/Flickr You heard me. The stoplight. As in, singular. Referring to the only one in town.
- The “E” is not pronounced in coyote.
Zion National Park/Flickr Unlike the cartoon or the movie. Wile E. Coyote would feel incredibly out of place here.
- It’s called “pop,” NOT “soda.”
John/Flickr And definitely not ‘sodapop’ or ‘fizzy’ or any other euphemism for Mountain Dew that Easterners come up with.
- We butcher French names… and those of most every other non-Idahoan language.
David Blaine/Flickr We nearly redeemed ourselves with the pronunciation of Pend Orielle, but then we went and named that other city Ponderay as a pronunciation reminder… but it’s the thought that counts, right?
- Jaialdi isn’t as hard to say as it looks.
Gazteaukera/Flickr “Hai-AL-dee” is the proper pronunciation, but since not everyone has the awesome Basque culture that we do, it’s understandable to get this one wrong. We’ve all eaten at the Basque Block in BoDo enough that we just get it.
- And of course, Idahome.
DoubleCaesar/Flickr A term of endearment for our beloved state, a clever play on words, and a realization of state pride, “Idahome” simply means beautiful Idaho, no matter our language oddities.
Jockeybox, switchbacks, 4-Wheeler vs. Quad… the list goes on! Yay or nay? What are some words or sayings that evoke a feeling of Idaho nostalgia for you?? Share them below!
Roy Luck
Snowyside Peak, Bald Mountain, Mount Church, Castle Peak… they’re not just beautiful, pointy, generic rocks. They’re family.
Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce/Flickr
It’s pronounced exactly how it’s spelled, and I don’t see a ‘z’ in there, do you? Say it after me, “BOY-SEE.” And while you’re at it, Mos-COW is in Russia; Mos-COH is in Idaho. Don’t let the spelling fool you!
Linda Paul/Flickr
Amy Ross/Flickr
Forest Service Northern Region/Flickr
They’re all different. And they all have names, too – just like our mountains. Idahoans know their geography!
Nicolas Boullosa/Flickr
… when in fact we most definitely weren’t sitting. As in, “There I was, jus’ sittin’ there, when this giant trout flailing around nearly broke my rod in half.” (I’m sure your fishing stories are better than mine, though!)
Roland Tanglao/Flickr
We’re collectively not sorry. It just feels right.
Ross/Flickr
You heard me. The stoplight. As in, singular. Referring to the only one in town.
Zion National Park/Flickr
Unlike the cartoon or the movie. Wile E. Coyote would feel incredibly out of place here.
John/Flickr
And definitely not ‘sodapop’ or ‘fizzy’ or any other euphemism for Mountain Dew that Easterners come up with.
David Blaine/Flickr
We nearly redeemed ourselves with the pronunciation of Pend Orielle, but then we went and named that other city Ponderay as a pronunciation reminder… but it’s the thought that counts, right?
Gazteaukera/Flickr
“Hai-AL-dee” is the proper pronunciation, but since not everyone has the awesome Basque culture that we do, it’s understandable to get this one wrong. We’ve all eaten at the Basque Block in BoDo enough that we just get it.
DoubleCaesar/Flickr
A term of endearment for our beloved state, a clever play on words, and a realization of state pride, “Idahome” simply means beautiful Idaho, no matter our language oddities.
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