Posted in Michigan May 01, 2015

Here Are 21 Words That You'll Just Understand If You're From Michigan

Michiganders are a proud people. And perhaps the largest source of their pride is found in their deeply-rooted way in speaking. There are words to tell you where you're from – if yous're local, from out of state, from the UP or the LP. Whichever function of Michigan you're from, you're bound to have heard most, if not all of these words or phrases, in your everyday conversations.

21) Party Store

Elsewhere in the U.S., a party store is a place where one buys newspaper hats and confetti. In Michigan, information technology's where one goes to get the real political party started (i.e. booze, Better Made potato chips and other refreshments).

20) Yooper

Derived from the shorthand term for Upper Peninsula UP, a Yooper is an up n resident.

nineteen) Troll

This refers to all the people of Lower Michigan, who've come up from under the bridge into the UP.

18) Townie

This is a not-so-nice term that summertime visitors give to the locals in pocket-size northern Michigan communities. Pictured here, the town of Petoskey.

17) The Thumb

Nowhere else in the U.S. (except... perhaps Wisconsin trying to jump on the bandwagon) is a thumb actually a geographical reference.

16) Superman

Elsewhere Superman is that muscular guy in scarlet and blueish tights and a cap, who'south e'er getting Lois Lane out of a jam. Here, it's this magical ice cream flavor combination.

xv) The Soo

This Upper Peninsula term refers to the general Sault St. Marie surface area.

14) Pop

Don't telephone call it soda if you know what'south good for you.

13) Kiddy Corner

Non to be confused with catty corner, this tells someone that something's only around the corner.

12) Fudgie

This is a derogatory term, but not for the reason i might retrieve. It's used to refer to the tourists who invade the UP to shop for the region'due south famous fudge.

11) Euchre

Equally in the bill of fare game?

x) The Union

Membership in a labor union just comes every bit 2nd nature in Michigan that this simple reference is simply understood.

ix) Doorwall

Instead of calling it a sliding glass door, perhaps it's just safer to phone call information technology a wall, so equally non to forget it's at that place and walk right into it... C'monday, yous know you've washed it at least one time.

eight) FOP

If you're coming from the south, you lot're likely a FOP or a "Friendly Ohio Person," maybe from Toledo.

7) Ink Pen

"Pentel RSVP pens" by User:Minna Sora no Shita - Ain work past the original uploader. Licensed nether CC Past-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

In northern Midwest states like Michigan, we sometimes need to apply a pencil during cold winter months because, well, ink freezes. This tin can exist an important stardom when someone asks to borrow a pen.

6) Hourlies

As opposed to salaried workers. Likely comes from Michigan's long history in the labor movement.

5) Secretariah Country

In states like New York or California, the place where you lot get your tags renewed or take the written test for your license is phone call the DMV or Department of Motor Vehicles. In Michigan, as with another Midwest states like Illinois, it's the Secretary of Country... Only in Michigan, the first two words are ordinarily kinda mushed together.

4) Michigan Left

Michigan motorists don't always use the left lane to brand a left plough. Instead, they turn right and make a U-turn. Makes sense, right?

3) Michigan sauce or Coney Isle hot dog

... This is the topping on a hot domestic dog, fabricated with all beef. Elsewhere it might telephone call it chili with no beans.

2) Buggy

...Otherwise known equally a shopping cart.

1) FIP

... Refers to a "Friendly Illinois Person," perchance visiting from Chicago.

There are some many more words and phrases specific to Michigan. And we didn't even impact that famous emphasis. Share with united states of america your favorite Michigan mannerisms in the annotate section below!