There are certain words and phrases you’ll only hear in New Jersey, and there are other words and phrases that mean something entirely different in our state. The following 18 words may confuse outsiders, but most New Jerseyans will know just what they mean.

  1. Down The Shore

Flickr/Simon To the beach. Used in most (but not all) parts of the state.

  1. Benny

Flickr/A. Duarte A not so nice word for Bayonne, Elizabeth, Newark and New York-area residents who “infiltrate” the Jersey Shore during the summer. Used mostly in more northern beach towns.

  1. Shoobie

Flickr/Jazz Guy Same as benny, but generally used further south. The origin supposedly comes from day-trippers who took the train to the shore, bringing lunch in a shoe box.

  1. WaWa

Wikipedia/LancerEvolution The greatest convenience store ever. Though it got its start in Pennsylvania, the chain soon spread to New Jersey. An instant favorite in South Jersey, most North Jersey WaWas were shut down by the mid-1990s. They’re once again making their way back north.

  1. Pork Roll

Wikipedia/Austin Murphy The best regional breakfast meat ever. (Used in South Jersey.) Served on a hard roll with egg and cheese.

  1. Taylor Ham

Flickr/Lenka Reznicek See above. Used in North Jersey. I still can’t believe that this delicious meat isn’t served in every state.

  1. Disco Fries

Flickr/wEnDy French fries topped with cheese and gravy. A diner staple.

  1. The City

Flickr/Kolitha de Silva Usually New York City, sometimes Philadelphia.

  1. Sub

Flickr/Stampiphany Not a substitute or a submarine, but a sandwich. More commonly used in North and Central Jersey.

  1. Hoagie

Wikipedia/Jeffrey W. Same as above, but more commonly used in South Jersey. Sometimes known as a hero or grinder.

  1. Devil

Flickr/Carl Carpenter Not THAT Devil, but perhaps his son… Depends on the urban legends you’ve heard.

  1. Piney

Wikipedia/Famartin Not always the nicest word, this is a term sometimes used to refer to residents of South/Southwest New Jersey’s Pine Barrens. This shot was snapped from a fire tower on Apple Pie Hill, the highest point in the Pine Barrens.

  1. Tomato Pie

Flickr/Jackie A Trenton-area favorite. It differs from pizza as the focus is on the sauce.

  1. Ripper

Flickr/Ken Lund A deep-fried hot dog. Originated from Rutt’s Hut in Clifton. More commonly used in North Jersey.

  1. The Boss

Flickr/Brennan Schnell Out-of-staters might also call Bruce Springsteen “The Boss,” but he may not be the first thing that comes to mind when hearing those words.

  1. Exit

Flickr/Doug Kerr The number you give someone when they ask where you live. Usually used on the eastern side of the state.

  1. AC

Flickr/Victoria Belanger Not just an abbreviation for air conditioner… Atlantic City, where we spend countless summer weekends and 21st birthdays. A popular bus trip destination.

  1. Jughandle

Flickr/Ozzie Delaney It has nothing to do with a jug. A traffic circle/way to make left turns.

What other New Jersey-specific words can you think of? Share with me and add to our unofficial Jersey dictionary.

Flickr/Simon

To the beach. Used in most (but not all) parts of the state.

Flickr/A. Duarte

A not so nice word for Bayonne, Elizabeth, Newark and New York-area residents who “infiltrate” the Jersey Shore during the summer. Used mostly in more northern beach towns.

Flickr/Jazz Guy

Same as benny, but generally used further south. The origin supposedly comes from day-trippers who took the train to the shore, bringing lunch in a shoe box.

Wikipedia/LancerEvolution

The greatest convenience store ever. Though it got its start in Pennsylvania, the chain soon spread to New Jersey. An instant favorite in South Jersey, most North Jersey WaWas were shut down by the mid-1990s. They’re once again making their way back north.

Wikipedia/Austin Murphy

The best regional breakfast meat ever. (Used in South Jersey.) Served on a hard roll with egg and cheese.

Flickr/Lenka Reznicek

See above. Used in North Jersey. I still can’t believe that this delicious meat isn’t served in every state.

Flickr/wEnDy

French fries topped with cheese and gravy. A diner staple.

Flickr/Kolitha de Silva

Usually New York City, sometimes Philadelphia.

Flickr/Stampiphany

Not a substitute or a submarine, but a sandwich. More commonly used in North and Central Jersey.

Wikipedia/Jeffrey W.

Same as above, but more commonly used in South Jersey. Sometimes known as a hero or grinder.

Flickr/Carl Carpenter

Not THAT Devil, but perhaps his son… Depends on the urban legends you’ve heard.

Wikipedia/Famartin

Not always the nicest word, this is a term sometimes used to refer to residents of South/Southwest New Jersey’s Pine Barrens. This shot was snapped from a fire tower on Apple Pie Hill, the highest point in the Pine Barrens.

Flickr/Jackie

A Trenton-area favorite. It differs from pizza as the focus is on the sauce.

Flickr/Ken Lund

A deep-fried hot dog. Originated from Rutt’s Hut in Clifton. More commonly used in North Jersey.

Flickr/Brennan Schnell

Out-of-staters might also call Bruce Springsteen “The Boss,” but he may not be the first thing that comes to mind when hearing those words.

Flickr/Doug Kerr

The number you give someone when they ask where you live. Usually used on the eastern side of the state.

Flickr/Victoria Belanger

Not just an abbreviation for air conditioner… Atlantic City, where we spend countless summer weekends and 21st birthdays. A popular bus trip destination.

Flickr/Ozzie Delaney

It has nothing to do with a jug. A traffic circle/way to make left turns.

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