Geographical & Cultural English - Midwest US English

Here you will find slang from the Midwest US, highlighting regional expressions, accents, and local cultural language.

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to worsh

[Verb]

(Midwestern US) to clean or wash something

Ex: Don't forget to worsh your hands before dinner.

pop

[noun]

(Midwestern US) a carbonated soft drink

Ex: Can I grab a pop from the fridge?

hotdish

[noun]

(Minnesota, Upper Midwest) a baked casserole typically containing a starch, meat, and vegetables

Ex: She brought a cheesy tater tot hotdish to the potluck.

bubbler

[noun]

(Wisconsin, parts of the Midwest) a drinking fountain

Ex: The kids ran to the bubbler after recess.

oofta

[interjection]

(Minnesota, Upper Midwest) an exclamation expressing surprise, frustration, exhaustion, or exasperation

Ex: Oofta, that was a long day at work.

frunchroom

[noun]

(Chicago) the front room of a house or apartment, typically used for entertaining guests

Ex: We sat in the frunchroom chatting for hours.

to take with

[Verb]

(Upper Midwestern US) to take something along with you

Ex: We're heading out for the picnic, so take it with.

to bring with

[Verb]

(Upper Midwestern US) to bring someone or something along with you

Ex: Don't forget to bring your jacket with.

to come with

[Verb]

(Upper Midwestern US) to accompany or join someone or something

Ex: I'm going to the store; would you like to come with?

the Lake

[noun]

(Chicago, Upper Midwest) Lake Michigan, especially in reference to its shoreline along Chicago

Ex: We spent the afternoon swimming at The Lake.

the L

[noun]

(Chicago, Upper Midwest) the elevated train system serving downtown and surrounding areas

Ex: I took the L to get to work this morning.

prairie

[noun]

(Chicago, Upper Midwest) a vacant lot or undeveloped piece of land, often in an urban area

Ex: They played soccer on the prairie behind our building.

grabowski

[noun]

(Chicago) a determined, hardworking, and loyal person

Ex: If Ditka called you a grabowski, it was a high compliment.

grachki

[noun]

(Chicago) a garage key, spelled in eye dialect to reflect local pronunciation

Ex: Don't forget your grachki when you leave the house.

ope

[interjection]

(Midwest) used to apologize, get someone's attention, or acknowledge a minor accident

Ex: Ope, didn't mean to bump into you!

Geographical & Cultural English
East Coast & Northeast US English	Southern US English	Midwest US English	West US English
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