If you're planning a trip to the beautiful Northwest corner of the United States, you may be wondering, "Am I going to be taken aback and confused by local lingo? Will I say something wrong?"
The South and the Eastern Seaboard in particular are both known for their unique slang and almost dialectic terms. Go to Boston and you'll hear about a "wicked storm a-brewing," or head to New Orleans and abandon the English language for French as you "laissez le bon temps rouler" on the bayou (that's "let the good times roll" to those who may have never visited!)
Seattle might not be one of the places you'd think about when it comes to regional slang, but head to Sea-Town and you're sure to hear a few of these phrases tossed around.
"The Mountains Are Out Today"
You'll hear this one mostly to refer to Mt. Rainier, but it can refer to any of the major peaks in the Cascade or Olympic range depending on how far out in the suburbs you go. If you hear this phrase, you'll find that the usually gray and overcast weather has cleared up enough that you can see the mountains, a rare occurrence, particularly in winter.
"Nordy's"
This is the pet name for Nordstrom's here, a Seattle founded chain, so a nickname seems to convey the family feel most Seattle-ites have for the now national chain.
Tarter Sauce With That?
Nowhere else in the country will you get asked if you want tartar with your fries; it means tartar sauce and Seattle-born locals are some tartar-dipping fools when it comes to fries! You've got it for the seafood that's abundant here, you might as well dip the fries too.
Opening Day
If you come in early spring, you might hear locals refer to "Opening Day." It means the opening of boating season, in case they don't clarify and you don't want to ask.
Vancouver, Canada
There is a Vancouver, Washington, but it's down by the Oregon border, close to Portland, so most of the time when you hear someone in Seattle refer to Vancouver, they mean the one in British Columbia, Canada. It's little more than an hour away by drive, with regular ferry service from Seattle as well.
Ballard Locks
"The locks" will refer to the Ballard Locks, a ship passage system of locks that allow boats through from Salmon Bay in the Sound to Lake Washington.
Pike's Place
Don't say "Pike's Market," it's Pike's Place Market, or Pike's Place. It will mark you as a tourist for sure if you do.
University Way
If someone gives you directions using "The Ave," it means University Way in the U-District, the area of town that surrounds the University of Washington, or "U-Dub" campus.
Say it Right
Some pronunciations can be hard for visitors too. Many names in the Seattle area and surrounding towns and cities come from local Native American tribes, and the pronunciation doesn't always follow known rules. Here's a few common ones you might encounter.
- Puyallup: this town to the south of Seattle is home to a great railroad museum that tourists love to visit. It's pronounced Pwee-al-up.
- A geoduck is a Puget sound native mollusk that some like to catch and eat. It's mysteriously pronounced "gooey-duck."
Visiting the Seattle area is a lot of fun as a tourist, and it can be even more fun when you feel a little like a local. So, scope out the Space Needle, visit the Gum Wall, and enjoy the beautiful vistas all around from ocean to mountains, at least when they're "out."
Image Credits:
Seattle Sunset by Howard Ignatius
First Nordstrom Store by Seattlepi.com
Pikes Place Market by Corey Thompson
