It’s no secret that most states share their own slang or dialect. Here in Indiana, we have our own way of saying things, too – which might amuse people from out of state. These 7 silly sayings will likely only make sense if you’re from the Hoosier state.

  1. Make sure your warsh your hands.

Alisha Vargas/Flickr We’re not sure where that extra “r” comes from, but you’ll hear this consistently throughout the Hoosier state.

  1. It’s gonna be knee-high by the Fourth of July.

Andrew Seaman/Flickr We’ve been using this benchmark for our corn for a long time now.

  1. I’ll clean it up with the sweeper.

wikimedia A sweeper is a vaccum, not a broom, and definitely not a Swiffer.

  1. His family’s from the Region.

wikimedia This refers to the northwestern part of Indiana just outside of Chicago.

  1. He tumpt his coffee at the meeting.

Sean Mulgrew/Flickr Though not used by all Hoosiers, ’tumpt’ refers to when something is dumped or turned over.

  1. I’ll bring some puppy chow to the party.

Steven Depolo/Flickr Nope, this doesn’t refer to dog food. It’s actually a chocolatey snack.

  1. I’m headed to Naptown.

Nick/Flickr Nope, this doesn’t mean we’re on our way to take a nap. It’s a nickname for Indianapolis.

How many of these slang sayings have you used before? For more words only Hoosiers say, check out this post.

Alisha Vargas/Flickr

We’re not sure where that extra “r” comes from, but you’ll hear this consistently throughout the Hoosier state.

Andrew Seaman/Flickr

We’ve been using this benchmark for our corn for a long time now.

wikimedia

A sweeper is a vaccum, not a broom, and definitely not a Swiffer.

This refers to the northwestern part of Indiana just outside of Chicago.

Sean Mulgrew/Flickr

Though not used by all Hoosiers, ’tumpt’ refers to when something is dumped or turned over.

Steven Depolo/Flickr

Nope, this doesn’t refer to dog food. It’s actually a chocolatey snack.

Nick/Flickr

Nope, this doesn’t mean we’re on our way to take a nap. It’s a nickname for Indianapolis.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.