Every city develops its own colloquial terms, but those heard around Chicago can be puzzling at times. This list of phrases will help you translate the language of this marvelous city so you can keep up with the conversation.
Whether you’ve lived here all your life or moved in recently, there’s likely at least a term or two here you’ve never heard before. Keep reading to see if you can define all 12 terms and phrases.
- Gym Shoes
Flickr/m01229 You may know them better as sneakers, tennis shoes, or kicks, but in Chicago, we mostly wear these clunky things in the gym and nowhere else. It’s one of these phrases we don’t even realize is different.
- Dibs
Flickr/meryddian Chicago is a “me first” kind of place, and when snow makes it difficult to find parking, the locals get creative. It’s a long-standing tradition in the city to hold or call “dibs” on a street spot with a chair.
- Pop
Flickr/Mike Mozart Other parts of the state call it soda, but in Chicago, we’ll give you a quizzical look for calling it anything other than pop. It’s just a matter of tradition.
- Jewels
Flickr/Payton Chung Jewel Osco is the local grocery store chain of choice for most people in the Chicago area, because they are just about everywhere, and the prices are generally inexpensive. Like other superstore nicknames, “Jewels” is just a way of shortening the name.
- Frunchroom
Flickr/rochelle hartman Again, we Chicagoans like to shorten things, even if that means crushing words together. What we’re actually saying here is “front room,” but when said fast, it comes out a whole new language.
- Da
Flickr/Tripp Da bears, da Bulls, da Cubs, etc… Chicagoans have gotten in the habit of saying “da” instead of “the” for many things. Let us have our fun.
- Grachki
Pexels Yet again, another instance of Chicagoans mashing words together to make new terms and phrases. What we’re really saying is “garage key.”
- The L, The Bean, The Lake…
Wikimedia Commons/Rene Schwietzke We’re also in the habit of simplifying the names of our many attractions. In addition to referring to ourselves as “the city,” we also give quick nicknames to our train line, art in the park, and Lake Michigan.
- Sammich
Wikimedia Commons/Sammie The way our accent sounds, especially when spoken quickly, can even make “sandwich” sound like a foreign phrase. If you’re looking for meat between two slices of bread, then a “sammich” is what you should order.
- The Kennedy, The Eisenhower, and The Stevenson
Wikimedia Commons/Steven Vance Once again, Chicagoans somewhat simplify the names of things. Roads don’t go by numbers here. We call them by their more personal names.
- Washroom
Wikimedia Commons/Wing1990hk No, we’re not going to do laundry. This term is used all throughout Illinois as a polite way to say you’re going to the bathroom. It’s a washroom because you wash your hands.
- Grabowski
Wikipedia/Alfred Palmer This term has several origins, but it is often used to describe a hard working immigrant (typically Polish in this area) who has helped build the city. While it may have something to do with a famous sportsmen’s last name, it was also used during an old SNL skit that made fun of the Chicago accent.
These phrases are a key part of what makes Chicago unique. Check out 15 more reasons why the Windy City will always be home.
Flickr/m01229
You may know them better as sneakers, tennis shoes, or kicks, but in Chicago, we mostly wear these clunky things in the gym and nowhere else. It’s one of these phrases we don’t even realize is different.
Flickr/meryddian
Chicago is a “me first” kind of place, and when snow makes it difficult to find parking, the locals get creative. It’s a long-standing tradition in the city to hold or call “dibs” on a street spot with a chair.
Flickr/Mike Mozart
Other parts of the state call it soda, but in Chicago, we’ll give you a quizzical look for calling it anything other than pop. It’s just a matter of tradition.
Flickr/Payton Chung
Jewel Osco is the local grocery store chain of choice for most people in the Chicago area, because they are just about everywhere, and the prices are generally inexpensive. Like other superstore nicknames, “Jewels” is just a way of shortening the name.
Flickr/rochelle hartman
Again, we Chicagoans like to shorten things, even if that means crushing words together. What we’re actually saying here is “front room,” but when said fast, it comes out a whole new language.
Flickr/Tripp
Da bears, da Bulls, da Cubs, etc… Chicagoans have gotten in the habit of saying “da” instead of “the” for many things. Let us have our fun.
Pexels
Yet again, another instance of Chicagoans mashing words together to make new terms and phrases. What we’re really saying is “garage key.”
Wikimedia Commons/Rene Schwietzke
We’re also in the habit of simplifying the names of our many attractions. In addition to referring to ourselves as “the city,” we also give quick nicknames to our train line, art in the park, and Lake Michigan.
Wikimedia Commons/Sammie
The way our accent sounds, especially when spoken quickly, can even make “sandwich” sound like a foreign phrase. If you’re looking for meat between two slices of bread, then a “sammich” is what you should order.
Wikimedia Commons/Steven Vance
Once again, Chicagoans somewhat simplify the names of things. Roads don’t go by numbers here. We call them by their more personal names.
Wikimedia Commons/Wing1990hk
No, we’re not going to do laundry. This term is used all throughout Illinois as a polite way to say you’re going to the bathroom. It’s a washroom because you wash your hands.
Wikipedia/Alfred Palmer
This term has several origins, but it is often used to describe a hard working immigrant (typically Polish in this area) who has helped build the city. While it may have something to do with a famous sportsmen’s last name, it was also used during an old SNL skit that made fun of the Chicago accent.
What other colloquial terms do you use? Share your favorites with us!
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
