It’s funny how a simple trip across state lines can really expand your vocabulary. Here’s a handy Massachusetts phrasebook to help you understand the natives.
- Frappe
Flickr/Josefine Stenudd Woe to those who order a milkshake in Massachusetts and expect to find ice cream in their cup. Should’ve ordered a frappe. And please – the “e” is silent. Don’t try to get fancy up in here.
- The T
Flickr/Thomas Hawk “The T” is the Boston subway system. It’s the nation’s oldest and sometimes gets a bit cranky, but we love it anyway.
- Packie
Wikimedia Commons/Fletcher6 Our affectionate term for the package store, a.k.a. the liquor store.
- Over the Bridge
Flickr/Bossi Anything on the mainland side of the Cape Cod Canal, which divides Cape Cod from the rest of Massachusetts.
- Dunks
Flickr/Arek Dreyer Dunks, or Dunkin Donuts, is not just a coffee and donut shop. Oh no. It is basically the sixth food group for many people in Massachusetts. Making a “dunks run” is a sacred and important task.
- Cape Codder
Flickr/Roy Saplin A permanent resident of Cape Cod. Renting a summer cottage doesn’t count, though Cape Codders are always ready to welcome new members into the fold.
- Bubbler
Flickr/Ian Sane A water fountain. Also acceptable: “bubblah”.
- Bang
Flickr/Joshua Miller As in “bang a uey”. If you live in Massachusetts and STILL don’t know what I’m talking about, you’re probably a more cautious driver than most.
- Beanpot
Wikimedia Commons/Nusportsinfo This has (almost) nothing to do with food. For over 60 years, Boston-area college hockey teams have been battling it out for the coveted Beanpot trophy…which is actually shaped like a pot of beans.
- Hoodsie
Flickr/Jessica P. This is one that may be familiar to kids (and former kids) across New England, but Hoodsie Cup ice cream has a special place in the hearts of Massachusetts residents. Creamy, sweet, and perfect for those late summer afternoons.
- Jimmies
Flickr/Mr. TinDC Chocolate sprinkles. This is crucial info for out-of-staters. If you ask for just plain “sprinkles”, chances are they’ll give you the rainbow kind.
- Wicked
Flickr/Abby A substitute for “very”, “really”, or “super” in everyday conversation. As in, “Traffic on the Pike is wicked bad”.
- Fluffernutter
Flickr/Steve McFarland This is a peanut butter and fluff sandwich. For the uninitiated, fluff is basically spreadable marshmallow. The topping was invented in Somerville and there’s an annual festival there to celebrate its goodness. Ah, pillowy, sticky, delectable fluff.
- Green Monster
Flickr/Wally Gobetz This is the 37'2’’ high left field wall at Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox. Seats atop the Green Monster will give you an amazing view of the game, but be ready to duck.
- Leaf Peeper
Flickr/Anthony Quintano Out of state visitors who have come to enjoy the foliage. They can often be spotted wandering dazedly among the trees just off rural roads. They might even pop up in the background of some of your autumn Instragram shots. Either way, they’re more than welcome to enjoy the amazing view.
- Candlepin
Wikimedia Commons/Rene Schwietzke ‘Round these parts, we bowl candlepin. You may leave your chunky pins and balls at home.
- Cella
Flickr/Wonderlane The basement. It’s always cool in the summer down cella.
- Masshole
Photo Credit A resident of Massachusetts, especially a Boston driver. Massholes are a proud tribe. We’ll steal your parking spot and your heart.
We may not all talk like Matt Damon in Good Will Hunting, but Massachusetts residents definitely do have a way with words that is all their own. What Massachusetts lingo did I miss?
Flickr/Josefine Stenudd
Woe to those who order a milkshake in Massachusetts and expect to find ice cream in their cup. Should’ve ordered a frappe. And please – the “e” is silent. Don’t try to get fancy up in here.
Flickr/Thomas Hawk
“The T” is the Boston subway system. It’s the nation’s oldest and sometimes gets a bit cranky, but we love it anyway.
Wikimedia Commons/Fletcher6
Our affectionate term for the package store, a.k.a. the liquor store.
Flickr/Bossi
Anything on the mainland side of the Cape Cod Canal, which divides Cape Cod from the rest of Massachusetts.
Flickr/Arek Dreyer
Dunks, or Dunkin Donuts, is not just a coffee and donut shop. Oh no. It is basically the sixth food group for many people in Massachusetts. Making a “dunks run” is a sacred and important task.
Flickr/Roy Saplin
A permanent resident of Cape Cod. Renting a summer cottage doesn’t count, though Cape Codders are always ready to welcome new members into the fold.
Flickr/Ian Sane
A water fountain. Also acceptable: “bubblah”.
Flickr/Joshua Miller
As in “bang a uey”. If you live in Massachusetts and STILL don’t know what I’m talking about, you’re probably a more cautious driver than most.
Wikimedia Commons/Nusportsinfo
This has (almost) nothing to do with food. For over 60 years, Boston-area college hockey teams have been battling it out for the coveted Beanpot trophy…which is actually shaped like a pot of beans.
Flickr/Jessica P.
This is one that may be familiar to kids (and former kids) across New England, but Hoodsie Cup ice cream has a special place in the hearts of Massachusetts residents. Creamy, sweet, and perfect for those late summer afternoons.
Flickr/Mr. TinDC
Chocolate sprinkles. This is crucial info for out-of-staters. If you ask for just plain “sprinkles”, chances are they’ll give you the rainbow kind.
Flickr/Abby
A substitute for “very”, “really”, or “super” in everyday conversation. As in, “Traffic on the Pike is wicked bad”.
Flickr/Steve McFarland
This is a peanut butter and fluff sandwich. For the uninitiated, fluff is basically spreadable marshmallow. The topping was invented in Somerville and there’s an annual festival there to celebrate its goodness. Ah, pillowy, sticky, delectable fluff.
Flickr/Wally Gobetz
This is the 37'2’’ high left field wall at Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox. Seats atop the Green Monster will give you an amazing view of the game, but be ready to duck.
Flickr/Anthony Quintano
Out of state visitors who have come to enjoy the foliage. They can often be spotted wandering dazedly among the trees just off rural roads. They might even pop up in the background of some of your autumn Instragram shots. Either way, they’re more than welcome to enjoy the amazing view.
Wikimedia Commons/Rene Schwietzke
‘Round these parts, we bowl candlepin. You may leave your chunky pins and balls at home.
Flickr/Wonderlane
The basement. It’s always cool in the summer down cella.
Photo Credit
A resident of Massachusetts, especially a Boston driver. Massholes are a proud tribe. We’ll steal your parking spot and your heart.
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