We have our own culture, customs, and non-accents… but our own language? Washingtonians definitely use some words and phrases that are native to the Pacific Northwest. If you grew up here, these all seem normal, but those who were raised in a different region may think you’re speaking your own language.
- “The mountain is out.”
Patrick / Flickr This is mainly a Western Washington term, which simply means that it’s clear enough to see Mt. Rainier.
- “Want some jojos?”
su-lin / Flickr This term for potato wedges originated in Minnesota, but here in the Northwest, we’ve kind of taken it over.
- “My, oh my.”
Robert Ashworth / Flickr To the rest of the country, this is a simple expression. But for Washingtonians, this phrase takes us straight back to the Mariners’ 1995 season.
- “Are you drinking hard-a?”
Ant & Carrie Coleman / Flickr We mean hard alcohol, of course.
- “Bubbler.”
Jan Michael Dimayuga / Flickr In some states, this means water fountain. To us, it means something you some pot out of.
- “I’ll have a drip.”
dazegg / Flickr Drip coffee is brewed coffee. It’s true, not every Washingtonian drinks fancy half-caf extra-foam macchiato-cinnos.
- “It’s blue Friday!”
WSDOT / Flickr No, this doesn’t mean we’re sad about the weekend beginning. On the Friday before a Seahawks game, it’s a tradition for Hawks fans to wear their Seahawks apparel (or at least the color blue) to work or school.
- “Pre-funk”
whologwhy / Flickr Elsewhere, when people want to drink before they go out, they “pre-game.” In Washington, we pre-funk, which is actually spelled “pre-func” and is short for “pre-function.”
- “Apple Cup”
Dave Shafer / Flickr This isn’t a dessert, it’s the most anticipated college football game of the year.
We might have our own unique phrases, but so do people from other parts of the country. Check out this list of words and phrases Washingtonians don’t understand.
Patrick / Flickr
This is mainly a Western Washington term, which simply means that it’s clear enough to see Mt. Rainier.
su-lin / Flickr
This term for potato wedges originated in Minnesota, but here in the Northwest, we’ve kind of taken it over.
Robert Ashworth / Flickr
To the rest of the country, this is a simple expression. But for Washingtonians, this phrase takes us straight back to the Mariners’ 1995 season.
Ant & Carrie Coleman / Flickr
We mean hard alcohol, of course.
Jan Michael Dimayuga / Flickr
In some states, this means water fountain. To us, it means something you some pot out of.
dazegg / Flickr
Drip coffee is brewed coffee. It’s true, not every Washingtonian drinks fancy half-caf extra-foam macchiato-cinnos.
WSDOT / Flickr
No, this doesn’t mean we’re sad about the weekend beginning. On the Friday before a Seahawks game, it’s a tradition for Hawks fans to wear their Seahawks apparel (or at least the color blue) to work or school.
whologwhy / Flickr
Elsewhere, when people want to drink before they go out, they “pre-game.” In Washington, we pre-funk, which is actually spelled “pre-func” and is short for “pre-function.”
Dave Shafer / Flickr
This isn’t a dessert, it’s the most anticipated college football game of the year.
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