Regional Colloquialisms

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What In The World Is A Regional Colloquialism?

What In The World Is A Regional Colloquialism?

By Brian Allen

 It's a fun term to spring on people: regional colloquialisms. Try this phrase on someone you know. They will either think you're speaking a foreign language or telling them you have been diagnosed with some type of illness.

 Regional colloquialisms is a term relating to phrases and words used in certain parts of the country and no where else. I like to sort of collect these words and phrases, find out their meanings and then use them on people to see what their reaction might be. It's kind of fun.

 For example, I picked up a phrase from my wife that was used in her household as she was growing up; irking my birdie. For example; "You need to stop honking the car horn, it's irking my birdie." It means to annoy or get on one's nerves.

 How about the phrase "Bob's Your Uncle"? A former anchor here at KSFY, Mark Mills, used this phrase quite a lot. For example he would tell a photographer "We'll go out, get an interview, go to lunch and Bob's your uncle." It means to have everything figured out beforehand so as to have an easy time.

 Growing up in Iowa, I heard lots of phrases and words. For example, in Iowa, you don't "wash" something, you "warsh" it. The extra "r" was a given with everyone I spoke with while I was growing up. Even now, if I'm not careful, I'll say "warsh" into of "wash". Just one of those things.

 So how about some other regional colloquialisms? In the south, you don't order a "pop" with your meal, you order a "soda".

 When I was growing up, my Grandfather, who served in Italy during World War II, would refer to me as "pison". It's Italian for friend or little buddy.

 Have you ever heard the phrase "messing the world"? It means to make a mistake which has dire consequences. For example; "By losing the notes for our presentation you have just messed the world". Ever heard English Muffins called British Biscuits? How about "all over the shop" for being disorganized? Someone who can't be trusted is referred to as a "bad egg". Something which has failed is refered to as "belly up". To laugh hard is to "bust a gut". There are thousands of them. What I want to know is what are your favorite sayings and words (keep them clean). Either leave them as a comment below or send me an e-mail (click here) and I will pass them along. I can't wait to see what we all come up with.

 Quote Of The Day: "Slang is a language that rolls up its sleeves, spits on its hands and goes to work." Carl Sandburg

 This Day In History: Clyde W. Tombaugh announced the discovery of the planet Pluto on this date, March 13, 1930.

 As always, it makes my day when you stop by and take a look. Thanks!

 

 

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Sunday, Apr 27 at 1:43 AM bgistrand@comcast.com wrote ...

It just took all the snap out of me!

Sunday, Mar 16 at 6:27 PM mj3866 wrote ...

I know tons, but I just can't think of them... I work with someone who lived in St. Louis, and she would say "buggy" instead of shopping cart!

Saturday, Mar 15 at 9:48 AM Fred wrote ...

Working with FEMA has allowed me to travel to many parts of the US and run across (that's one!) different phrases and pockets of phrases. Try Geechee dialect and Melungeon from the Southeast US.

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