Rhode Island is a state of creativity and uniqueness and it’s no wonder residents use so many different words! Here are 15 words used in ways distinct to the nation’s smallest state.
- Cabinets
Flickr/Paul Istoan Known in most places as a milkshake, these delicious beverages with ice cream, milk, and flavored syrup are called cabinets in little Rhody.
- Bubblers
Flickr/Indigo Skies Photography Thirsty? You won’t find a drinking fountain in Rhode Island, but they do have bubblers.
- Jimmies
Flickr/Eliza Adam Chocolate sprinkles are called jimmies in this state.
- Wicked
Flickr/Abby The word wicked is used to describe things in this wicked small, but wicked great state!
- Quahog
Flickr/Juli This hard shell clam is delicious and extremely popular throughout the state. It’s so popular the show Family Guy, which many argue is based on Rhode Island, has a town called Quahog!
- Steamers
Flickr/Wally Gobetz Rhode Islanders aren’t talking about steaming their clothes when you hear them ordering steamers. They’re ordering a plate of delicious steamed clams.
- Casino
Flickr/Wally Gobetz A casino is not necessarily a place to gamble in Rhode Island. This word refers to any public building including some form of entertainment, or fun attraction.
- Grinder
Flickr/Matt A “sub,” or hearty sandwich is called a grinder, like this classic Italian grinder pictured above!
- Awful Awful
Newport Creamery If you hear a Rhode Islander say the words Awful Awful, they’re not being dramatic! They’re talking about this delicious milkshake at the Newport Creamery.
- Gansett
Flickr/Keith Trice Gansett could mean the town of Narragansett (where the beaches are!), or the delicious Rhode Island beer.
- Cumbies
Flickr/Rusty Clark Need a gallon of milk and some bread? Cumberland Farms is the go to corner store chain in Rhode Island and they’re always called Cumbies.
- Rotary
Flickr/Bossi Roundabouts are rotaries in little Rhody.
- Johnny Cake
Flickr/Merri These corn meal pancakes are fluffy and amazing.
- Downcity
Flickr/Axel Drainville The downtown area of Providence (made up of amazing restaurants and fun sites) is called downcity.
- Hot Weiners
Flickr/Matt Last, but certainly not least, is Rhode Island’s word for its take on hot dogs. Weiners arrive with meat, mustard, and onions.
There are so many distinct and creative “Rhode Islandisms” in this wonderful little state. Can you think of words not on this list?
Flickr/Paul Istoan
Known in most places as a milkshake, these delicious beverages with ice cream, milk, and flavored syrup are called cabinets in little Rhody.
Flickr/Indigo Skies Photography
Thirsty? You won’t find a drinking fountain in Rhode Island, but they do have bubblers.
Flickr/Eliza Adam
Chocolate sprinkles are called jimmies in this state.
Flickr/Abby
The word wicked is used to describe things in this wicked small, but wicked great state!
Flickr/Juli
This hard shell clam is delicious and extremely popular throughout the state. It’s so popular the show Family Guy, which many argue is based on Rhode Island, has a town called Quahog!
Flickr/Wally Gobetz
Rhode Islanders aren’t talking about steaming their clothes when you hear them ordering steamers. They’re ordering a plate of delicious steamed clams.
A casino is not necessarily a place to gamble in Rhode Island. This word refers to any public building including some form of entertainment, or fun attraction.
Flickr/Matt
A “sub,” or hearty sandwich is called a grinder, like this classic Italian grinder pictured above!
Newport Creamery
If you hear a Rhode Islander say the words Awful Awful, they’re not being dramatic! They’re talking about this delicious milkshake at the Newport Creamery.
Flickr/Keith Trice
Gansett could mean the town of Narragansett (where the beaches are!), or the delicious Rhode Island beer.
Flickr/Rusty Clark
Need a gallon of milk and some bread? Cumberland Farms is the go to corner store chain in Rhode Island and they’re always called Cumbies.
Flickr/Bossi
Roundabouts are rotaries in little Rhody.
Flickr/Merri
These corn meal pancakes are fluffy and amazing.
Flickr/Axel Drainville
The downtown area of Providence (made up of amazing restaurants and fun sites) is called downcity.
Last, but certainly not least, is Rhode Island’s word for its take on hot dogs. Weiners arrive with meat, mustard, and onions.
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