Have you ever spoken with someone from Illinois and thought, “What are they talking about?” We have some pretty interesting colloquial terms and phrases that most out-of-staters don’t understand, so we’ve compiled this handy guide to help you translate.
If you already know what I mean when I say, “I need to grab my gym shoes to work off that cheese toastie,” then read no further. If that made no sense, then you better keep this guide close by. Keep scrolling for more Illinoisan terms.
- “Put jimmies on top.”
Flickr/Amy Jimmies is the original word for sprinkles, and since so much of Illinois is still stuck in the past, so is some of our language.
- “I got bit by a skeeter!”
Wikipedia/JJ Harrison You know those pesky little bugs that come out every summer, sometimes carrying disease? Maybe you know them better as mosquitoes.
- “Get your gym shoes on.”
Flickr/m01229 That’s where you wear them, right? Sneakers, tennis shoes, Nikes - they’re all one in the same.
- “Hey, y’all.”
Flickr/Gregory Morris Illinoisans are nothing if not friendly. We greet each other so much, we decided to just smoosh the words together and make our own contraction.
- “You want a cheese toastie?”
Wikimedia Commons/Maggie Hoffman The only place this term is found other than the Midwest is England. It’s exactly what it sounds like, though you might know it better as a grilled cheese.
- “Don’t get salty.”
Flickr/William Franklin “Salty” is a term we use for when someone gets upset or embarrassed by someone. Just get over it.
- “He’s a regular grabowski.”
Wikipedia/Alfred Palmer This term is more regional to Chicago and is used to describe a Polish-American, typically blue collar, and is used as a term of endearment.
- “I’ll take a pop.”
Flickr/Mike Mozart Illinois is fairly split on the “pop” v.s. “soda” thing, but most peoply know what a soda is. Pop could mean many things.
- “I’m going to visit the washroom.”
Wikimedia Commons/Wing1990hk We’re just going to the restroom. If you’ve been an Illinoisan for over 70 years, you probably even say “warsh.”
For more weird things about your state, check out nine things Illinoisans do that may seem insane.
Flickr/Amy
Jimmies is the original word for sprinkles, and since so much of Illinois is still stuck in the past, so is some of our language.
Wikipedia/JJ Harrison
You know those pesky little bugs that come out every summer, sometimes carrying disease? Maybe you know them better as mosquitoes.
Flickr/m01229
That’s where you wear them, right? Sneakers, tennis shoes, Nikes - they’re all one in the same.
Flickr/Gregory Morris
Illinoisans are nothing if not friendly. We greet each other so much, we decided to just smoosh the words together and make our own contraction.
Wikimedia Commons/Maggie Hoffman
The only place this term is found other than the Midwest is England. It’s exactly what it sounds like, though you might know it better as a grilled cheese.
Flickr/William Franklin
“Salty” is a term we use for when someone gets upset or embarrassed by someone. Just get over it.
Wikipedia/Alfred Palmer
This term is more regional to Chicago and is used to describe a Polish-American, typically blue collar, and is used as a term of endearment.
Flickr/Mike Mozart
Illinois is fairly split on the “pop” v.s. “soda” thing, but most peoply know what a soda is. Pop could mean many things.
Wikimedia Commons/Wing1990hk
We’re just going to the restroom. If you’ve been an Illinoisan for over 70 years, you probably even say “warsh.”
What other phrases are particular to Illinois? Share your thoughts with us!
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