Meme: regionalisms
Below is a meme copied from loganberrybunny. I am posting this because Wifey complained yesterday that I don't post enough, but none of the topics she suggested (We've withdrawn kid #2 from Boy Scouts because the local troop leaders refuse to follow Scouting safety rules, we're planning a trip to the States next month, Wifey found some bacon made out of beef, just sitting there ready to buy from our local grocer's meat case!) really seemed suitable for me.
This post will get no comments because today is a weekend.
Age: I have a toothache, so I'm feeling old today. It's been a little bothersome for weeks. On Wednesday I had my teeth cleaned; now the tooth might need an extraction. This particular tooth is about 40 years old and was expected to fail last year, so I guess I got my money's worth out of it.
Where you grew up: Massachusetts in the time of Nixon's resignation, so it was an extra-liberal period in a liberal enclave of a right-wing country.
A body of water, smaller than a river, contained within relatively narrow banks: stream, brook, rivulet. There are additional words that I recognize ("rill") but am very unlikely to use myself.
What the thing you push around the grocery store is called: Shopping cart, but the locals here call them "buggies".
A metal container to carry a meal in: lunchbox, but I also recognize "lunch-pail" for construction workers.
The thing that you cook bacon and eggs in: I never cook bacon, but Wifey uses a frying pan (a.k.a. "skillet").
The piece of furniture that seats three people: Couch or sofa. Supposedly the locals say "Chesterfield" or "divan" but I haven't heard those.
The device on the outside of the house that carries rain off the roof: I have to remember to say "eavestrough" because the locals don't recognize "gutter". Since Logan in UK also says "gutter", I wonder where the Canucks got "eavestrough" from?
The covered area outside a house where people sit in the evening: Nobody does that anymore. My house has a porch, but we almost never sit on it.
Carbonated, sweetened, non-alcoholic beverages: soda. Massachusetts people often say "tonic". The locals have no idea what I'm talking about unless I say "pop".
A flat, round breakfast food served with syrup: Pancakes. I also recognize "flapjack".
A long sandwich designed to be a whole meal in itself: Sub. I also recognize "submarine", "hoagie" (esp. in Philadelphia), "grinder", and "hero". I prefer a dry sandwich and Italian bread rather than a French baguette, which is too stiff for that usage.
The piece of clothing worn by men at the beach: Lifeguard uniform? Bathing suit.
Shoes worn for sports: Sneakers, but the locals call them "runners".
Putting a room in order: Cleaning? This is not an activity with which I have much experience...
A flying insect that glows in the dark: I used to call them "fireflies", until Cartoon Network had a Bugs Bunny marathon called "June Bugs". You can guess what time of year that was.
The little insect that curls up into a ball: It's not an insect! It is the only land-dwelling crustacean! Just hours ago I saw the largest one I've ever seen. I have no idea how old it is. Wikipedia says woodlouse and I agree. I've also heard "pill-bug" and "sow-bug" and "roly-poly".
The children's playground equipment where one kid sits on one side and goes up while the other sits on the other side and goes down: See-saw, teeter-totter.
How do you eat your pizza: Hot. I often put slices in the microwave to reheat them, because pizza with congealed cheese is unappetizing.
What's it called when private citizens put up signs and sell their used stuff: Capitalism. Also: garage sale, yard sale, rummage sale (Boston area?).
What's the evening meal? Dinner or supper.
The thing under a house where the furnace and perhaps a rec room are: It's not a "thing", but a "place"! In fact, I'm sitting in it right now. I generally treat the words "basement" and cellar" as interchangeable, but the by-laws of my township make a distinction: mine is too deep to be a "cellar" and is legally a "basement".
What do you call the thing that you can get water out of to drink in public places: Water fountain, bottled water vending machine, Dixie cup, glass.
This post will get no comments because today is a weekend.
Age: I have a toothache, so I'm feeling old today. It's been a little bothersome for weeks. On Wednesday I had my teeth cleaned; now the tooth might need an extraction. This particular tooth is about 40 years old and was expected to fail last year, so I guess I got my money's worth out of it.
Where you grew up: Massachusetts in the time of Nixon's resignation, so it was an extra-liberal period in a liberal enclave of a right-wing country.
A body of water, smaller than a river, contained within relatively narrow banks: stream, brook, rivulet. There are additional words that I recognize ("rill") but am very unlikely to use myself.
What the thing you push around the grocery store is called: Shopping cart, but the locals here call them "buggies".
A metal container to carry a meal in: lunchbox, but I also recognize "lunch-pail" for construction workers.
The thing that you cook bacon and eggs in: I never cook bacon, but Wifey uses a frying pan (a.k.a. "skillet").
The piece of furniture that seats three people: Couch or sofa. Supposedly the locals say "Chesterfield" or "divan" but I haven't heard those.
The device on the outside of the house that carries rain off the roof: I have to remember to say "eavestrough" because the locals don't recognize "gutter". Since Logan in UK also says "gutter", I wonder where the Canucks got "eavestrough" from?
The covered area outside a house where people sit in the evening: Nobody does that anymore. My house has a porch, but we almost never sit on it.
Carbonated, sweetened, non-alcoholic beverages: soda. Massachusetts people often say "tonic". The locals have no idea what I'm talking about unless I say "pop".
A flat, round breakfast food served with syrup: Pancakes. I also recognize "flapjack".
A long sandwich designed to be a whole meal in itself: Sub. I also recognize "submarine", "hoagie" (esp. in Philadelphia), "grinder", and "hero". I prefer a dry sandwich and Italian bread rather than a French baguette, which is too stiff for that usage.
The piece of clothing worn by men at the beach: Lifeguard uniform? Bathing suit.
Shoes worn for sports: Sneakers, but the locals call them "runners".
Putting a room in order: Cleaning? This is not an activity with which I have much experience...
A flying insect that glows in the dark: I used to call them "fireflies", until Cartoon Network had a Bugs Bunny marathon called "June Bugs". You can guess what time of year that was.
The little insect that curls up into a ball: It's not an insect! It is the only land-dwelling crustacean! Just hours ago I saw the largest one I've ever seen. I have no idea how old it is. Wikipedia says woodlouse and I agree. I've also heard "pill-bug" and "sow-bug" and "roly-poly".
The children's playground equipment where one kid sits on one side and goes up while the other sits on the other side and goes down: See-saw, teeter-totter.
How do you eat your pizza: Hot. I often put slices in the microwave to reheat them, because pizza with congealed cheese is unappetizing.
What's it called when private citizens put up signs and sell their used stuff: Capitalism. Also: garage sale, yard sale, rummage sale (Boston area?).
What's the evening meal? Dinner or supper.
The thing under a house where the furnace and perhaps a rec room are: It's not a "thing", but a "place"! In fact, I'm sitting in it right now. I generally treat the words "basement" and cellar" as interchangeable, but the by-laws of my township make a distinction: mine is too deep to be a "cellar" and is legally a "basement".
What do you call the thing that you can get water out of to drink in public places: Water fountain, bottled water vending machine, Dixie cup, glass.