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.
1. Gym Shoes
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.
2. Dibs
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.
3. Pop
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.
4. Jewels
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.
5. Frunchroom
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.
6. Da
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.
7. Grachki
Yet again, another instance of Chicagoans mashing words together to make new terms and phrases. What we're really saying is "garage key."
8. The L, The Bean, The Lake...
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.
9. Sammich
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.
10. The Kennedy, The Eisenhower, and The Stevenson
Once again, Chicagoans somewhat simplify the names of things. Roads don't go by numbers here. We call them by their more personal names.
11. Washroom
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.
12. Grabowski
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.
What other colloquial terms do you use? Share your favorites with us!
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