How To Speak
Like a Local

Ya don’t wanna ta stand out like a tourist,
do ya?
So, here is ya handy guide to speakin' like a local.

"Please Talk To Me" by The Deltones 1961

   

Website Menu
Favorite Foods
Caw Fee Milk: Milk with sweet, coffee-flavored syrup. Check your goodie bags!
Cab’nit: Milkshake or frappe to the rest of the country.
Del’s: A lemon-slush drink unique to Rhode Island. Look for it at the conference!
Grinduh: A submarine sandwich or hero (grinder).
Johnny Cake: Native American pancake made with ground corn meal.
Kwah Hawgs: Clams we eat (Quahogs).
Peppiz: A green vegetable, or a companion to salt. Delicacy: fried peppiz-n-unyons.
Pete Sir: Usually ordered with pepperoni and cheese.
Sangwich: Sandwich to the rest of the country.
Sewder: Goes good with pete sir (soda).
Soggie: Hot dogs made here in Rhode Island, known for their “crunch.” (Saugy’s)
Suppa: The evening meal.
Watta: Comes out of a bub bluh.
Weeniz: Hot dogs smothered with meat chili, onions, and hot sauce. Usually Saugy’s!
People and the Things They Do
BaBa: Cuts your hair.
Bonnie: A purple dinosaur you probably detest. Manufactured right here at Hasbro.
God: Works in the prison (guard).
Idear: A thought, usually a good one.
Marier: A girl’s name.
Ommy: Who is fighting in Iraq.
P.S.D.S.: Pierced ears.
Wicket Boah: A not-so-interesting person (wicked bore).
Places
Application For RI Citizenship
Baked Treats
Baked Treats II
Block Island
David's Personal Tribute
Drive-In Theaters
Indoor Movie Theaters
Eateries of RI
Feasts & Festivals of RI
Links to Friends of RI Favorites
How To Speak Like a Local
Jaded, The Band
Life In Da 60's
Memories of Rhode Island
Native Rhode Island Favorites
NY System Hot Weiners
Pizza & Pasta Joints
Portuguese Cuisine
Seafood of Rhode Island
The RI Connection Page
Tribute to Salty Brine
Windows XP - Providence Edition
You know Your From RI When
Visit Our Store!
Home

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Bah Rum: Where drinks are served.
Big Blue Bug: A large “sculpture” visible from Route 95, the mascot of New England Pest Control, and unofficial mascot of Little Rhody. Was featured in a scene of the film Dumb and Dumber.
Bub’bluh: Water fountain to most.
Connah Stoah: Little shop on the corner.
Craannnstun: Cranston
DownCity: Downtown Providence.
Propideez: What a landlord owns.
Pock: Where children play.
Potty: Birthday, anniversary, surprise.
Ro-dylin: Home.
Shaw: Where the land meets the ocean.
Too’fah: Any place further than 10 miles away (too far).
You Ah Rye: Our state university (URI).
Basic Rhody Grammar
Ah: Letter between q and s.
Awed: Opposite of even.
D’jeet? Have you eaten?
Gedouttahere! Get out of here!
Hod: Opposite of soft.
Fust: Comes before second.
Lodge: Opposite of small.
Nawt Fuh Nut’in (but): Exclamation preceding heartfelt advice or opinion. Ex: Nawt fuh nut’in but he shouldn’ta bought the cah if he couldn’t affoahd the paymints.
No Wudduvalie: Honestly.
One Wit, One Wit Not: One with, one without. Helpful in ordering weeniz.
Shuddup!: Exclamation of interest or pleasant surprise.
Take a Hat: Get upset. (Have a heart attack).
Uh’spost Ta: To presume or intend. Ex: Ahnt ya uh’sposta call fust an then go?
Way Diggo: Congratulations! (Way to go).
Odds-n-Ends
Airier: Length x Width.
Calunda: Keeps track of the yeeah.
Cods: Used for poker or blackjack.
Culliz: There are many in the rainbow.
Holly: An excellent motorcycle.
Wuttsthematteryou? What's the matter with you?

 

 

(click on images for a larger view)

Click here for a larger view!

 

Click here for a larger view!
The Crow's Nest in Apponaug

Click here for a larger view!

Memories of the Crow's Nest
by P. Ruscito

"Hi,
I just found your RI website while searching for Salty Brian. Just wondering whatever happened to him while I was thinking back to the great old days living in Scituate RI and Narragansett. I have lived in CA for 15 years now (for my job) and miss RI terribly. I love the wiener recipes and the picture of the wieners up the arm. I tell people about it here but they don't quite get it.
On the http://www.pagesintime.com/ri/local-talk.html page you have a picture of the Crow's Nest? Look at the sign on the front of the building.... I made that sign for them back when I worked at a wood shop in Johnston RI. The owner like it so much he promised me a free dinner. I never saw the sign installed on the building until about three year ago (about 18 years after I made the sign). I returned to RI to visit family. They took me out to eat at the Crow's Nest and I saw the sign for the first time and found.... they had adopted the font style (I made it up as I made the letters for the sign) all over the inside of the building and on the menus. I asked about the dinner I had been promised but found the restaurant was no longer owned by the original owners. Now I found the sign on your website as a RI classic!

Thank you!!

Thank you for the great site and memories.
P. Ruscito
Born and rasied in RI!"

 

Click on photo for a larger view.
Ann & Hope Mill Outlet
(click on photo for a larger view)

Typical Ad Slogans Back Then!

“ A Swallow Will Tell You”
Autocrat Coffee (little bird on logo)

“My beer is Rheingold the dry beer, think of Rheingold whenever you buy beer”
(click here to listen to the jingle!)

“Hey Mabel, Black Label”
(click here to listen to the jingle!)

“Hi Neighbor, Have a Gansett"
(click here to listen to the jingle with Curt Gowdy!)

"Atlantic Keeps Your Car on the Go"

 

 

 

 

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