Say What Now? Part 2: Even More Sayings, Stories & Regional Charm
If you’ve ever ordered a “pop” instead of a soda, called it “the Shore” not “the beach,” or tried to explain what a bubbler is—congrats. You speak regional. Across the U.S., the way we talk, eat, and carry on says a whole lot about where we’re from. And while some quirks have faded, many are still hanging on—woven into our daily rhythms like porch swings, chili cook-offs, and family sayings no one can quite trace.
In Part 2 of our regional roundup, we’re heading into seven more corners of the country—from the cranberry-colored clapboard towns of New England to the tundra trails of Alaska. Each one has its own flavor, its own phrases, and its own way of making you feel right at home—even if you’ve never been there before. (And if you missed Part 1, don’t worry—there’s a button just below to take you there.)
Southern Florida: Flamingos, Flip-Flops & A Whole Lot of Sunshine Swagger
Flamingos, palm trees, and beachside flair—Southern Florida doesn't just embrace the sunshine, it struts in it.
Southern Florida is where the beach meets the boulevard. It’s sunshine with an attitude—vibrant, loud, and always ready for another round of Cuban coffee. Think flamingo-pink everything, AC cranked year-round, and locals who know how to dodge a hurricane and parallel park a golf cart. It’s tropical but tough, with a rhythm all its own.
A Few Fun Facts:
- Southern Florida has more sunny days per year than just about anywhere in the U.S.
- The only place in the country where alligators and crocodiles coexist naturally (don’t think about it too hard).
- Snowbirds: Not just a nickname—half the population migrates depending on the season.
- Publix subs are a thing of legend. People have strong feelings.
How They Say It:
- Flip-flops = Acceptable everywhere, including holiday dinners
- The Turnpike = Florida’s main north-south artery—spoken like it’s one long word
- Snowbird = A seasonal resident from up north (usually New York or New Jersey)
- Cafecito = A small but mighty Cuban espresso. Served with sugar and opinions.
- South of Southern = A phrase used in West Palm Beach to describe historic, posh neighborhoods
- The Keys = Not your house keys. Always means the islands.
Ask for coffee and you’ll likely get a shot of sweetened espresso in a tiny cup—with a side of neighborly gossip.
Only in Southern Florida…
- Hurricane shutters: A seasonal decor feature (and DIY badge of honor)
- Giant iguanas: Everywhere. In the trees, on sidewalks, sometimes in your pool.
- Pastel everything: From homes to golf carts to art deco diners
- Year-round farmer’s markets: You’ll still see tomatoes in December
- Convertibles in traffic jams: With music blasting and not a care in sight
Southern Florida doesn’t apologize for its flair. It’s bright, bold, and a little wild—but always welcoming. Whether you’re there for a week or a winter, it leaves you sun-warmed, sugar-caffeinated, and maybe just a little more relaxed than when you arrived.
Appalachia: Front Porches, Fiddle Tunes & A Whole Lot of Heart
Golden hour over the Blue Ridge—quiet hills, long shadows, and the kind of peace you can feel in your bones.
Appalachia isn’t just a place—it’s a rhythm. A slower pace, a deeper echo, and a kind of pride that comes without boasting. Stretching from West Virginia through the Blue Ridge of Virginia and down into the Smoky Mountains, the region is steeped in tradition, shaped by the land, and full of voices that carry both history and harmony.
A Few Fun Facts:
- Appalachia spans 13 states and over 400 counties, including parts of New York, Kentucky, and Georgia.
- It’s known for bluegrass, old-time music, and storytelling that stretches generations deep.
- The Appalachian Trail is over 2,000 miles long, winding from Georgia to Maine.
- Folklore, herbal medicine, and handcrafts are still a way of life in many hollers.
How They Say It:
- Holler = A small, narrow valley (rhymes with “dollar”)
- Piddlin’ = Doing a little bit of nothing (“Just piddlin’ around the yard.”)
- Right smart = A good amount (“That’s a right smart distance from here.”)
- Dope = Soda or soft drink (in parts of Appalachia—not what you think)
- Yonder = Over there (“It’s down yonder past the creek.”)
- Reckon = Think or suppose (“I reckon it’s gonna rain.”)
Folks might not say much at first—but give it time. Around here, stories bloom slow and stick with you.
Only in Appalachia…
- Front porch picking: Music made with fiddles, banjos, and a few folding chairs
- Spoon bread and soup beans: Simple food, slow-cooked and full of love
- Coal tattoos: Not ink—actual coal dust that embedded in skin from years in the mines
- Granny women: Folk healers, midwives, and wisdom-keepers of the mountains
- Homemade everything: Quilts, jam, soap, apple butter, you name it
Appalachia is quiet strength and fierce roots. It’s a place where heritage is spoken through hands, hearts, and hymns—and where the past never feels all that far away.
Mountain West: Wide Skies, Woodstoves & A Whole Lot of Altitude
High plains, higher peaks, and a horizon that never runs out of room to breathe.
The Mountain West is where the air’s thin, the winters bite, and the landscape makes you feel small in the best possible way. Stretching across Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana, this is big sky country—where ranch fences stretch for miles, snow sticks around until spring, and locals know how to split wood, navigate a switchback, and make a campfire meal worth remembering.
A Few Fun Facts:
- Colorado has more 14,000-foot peaks (“fourteeners”) than any other state—58 total.
- In some towns, elk outnumber people. No one's complaining.
- Altitude sickness is real. So is the advice to drink more water than you think you need.
- Montana’s state motto? “Oro y Plata”—gold and silver. Mining runs deep here.
How They Say It:
- Snowpack = The total accumulation of snow in the mountains (hint: it matters a lot)
- Shoulder season = The quiet time between ski season and summer crowds
- Riding fence = Ranch slang for checking boundary lines on horseback or ATV
- Bear sign = Evidence a bear’s nearby (tracks, scat, or something that was… formerly food)
- Outfit = A ranch, guide service, or crew (e.g., “She runs a good outfit.”)
- Cow camp = A remote seasonal outpost for ranch hands during roundup
If someone offers to show you their favorite fishing hole or hot spring, you’ve officially made it in.
Only in the Mountain West…
- Chopping your own wood: Not a hobby—a seasonal requirement
- Driveway plows: Mounted to the front of your truck… or your neighbor’s
- Hot springs soaks: Bonus points if it’s snowing and you’re still in a swimsuit
- Homegrown beef and elk: Often from someone you know personally
- Cloud watching: Because the sky here puts on a show most nights
The Mountain West is big, bold, and quietly breathtaking. It’s where silence feels sacred, independence is a virtue, and nature still has the final say.
New England: Maple Syrup, Mud Season & Saying "Ayuh"
Crisp skies, blazing leaves, and mirrored stillness—New England autumn in full voice.
New England is where autumn was practically invented. It’s all maple leaves, wood smoke, and steepled towns that look like postcards—even when you're just stopping for gas. The region wears its seasons proudly and its traditions even prouder, with a no-frills, dry-humor kind of charm that sneaks up on you (and then hands you a flannel).
A Few Fun Facts:
- Vermont produces more maple syrup than any other state in the U.S.
- Maine has more coastline than California—when you count every nook and cranny.
- “Leaf peeping” is a legit autumn activity, often involving cider donuts and traffic.
- Most of New England still believes in snow days, small-town fairs, and the power of a good chowder.
How They Say It:
- Wicked = Very (“That was wicked cold last night.”)
- Ayuh = Yup, yes, or agreement—used mostly in Maine
- Packie = The liquor store (short for “package store”)
- Bubbler = Drinking fountain (especially in Rhode Island)
- Bang a Uey = Make a U-turn
- Grinder = A sub sandwich (especially in Connecticut)
Order a lobster roll “hot with butter” or “cold with mayo,” but never ask which is better. That’s a local loyalty test.
Only in New England…
- Maple sugaring: A full-on event complete with sugar shacks and warm syrup on snow.
- Mud season: A real season that comes after winter, before spring, and ruins your boots.
- Chowder contests: Creamy vs. clear broth—depends if you're in Maine or Rhode Island.
- Flannel everything: Not a trend. It’s a utility fabric and a way of life.
- Firewood politics: Everyone swears by their method, their supplier, or their shed stacking strategy.
New England may seem quiet on the surface, but it’s rich with character—and characters. It’s a place where seasons shape stories, where small towns run deep, and where pride takes the form of homemade jam, hand-knit scarves, and fiercely guarded apple pie recipes.
The Gulf Coast: Spice, Salt Air & Stories That Stick to Your Skin
Piled high, seasoned deep, and made to share—crawfish boils are where Gulf Coast stories (and spices) come alive.
The Gulf Coast is equal parts breeze and bravado. From Louisiana bayous to the sugar-white beaches of Northern Florida, this is a place where music drifts through open windows, food is a language, and the air hangs heavy with both heat and history. It's a region that knows how to celebrate life, even when the power's out and the gumbo’s cooking by candlelight.
A Few Fun Facts:
- Louisiana is home to more than 400 festivals a year. Yes, that’s more than one a day.
- The Gulf Coast produces 70% of the U.S. seafood supply—especially shrimp and oysters.
- Hurricanes are serious—but so are hurricane parties (when it's safe, of course).
- You’ll find front porches, crawfish boils, and rocking chairs from Tuscaloosa to Tallahassee.
How They Say It:
- Lagniappe = A little something extra (usually good, and often edible)
- Pass a good time = Have fun (e.g., “Y’all come pass a good time now!”)
- Making groceries = Going grocery shopping (used in Louisiana Creole dialect)
- Shoo-wee = An exclamation for heat, stink, or general disbelief
- Down the road a piece = A vague unit of distance, usually farther than expected
- Y’all hungry?” = Warm welcome, subtle threat if you say no
There’s no such thing as a quick goodbye on the Gulf—expect to stay for food, music, and a story or two.
Only on the Gulf Coast…
- Crawfish boils: Messy, spicy, loud, and completely unforgettable
- Porch fans and sweet tea: The unofficial cooling system of the region
- Drive-thru daiquiris: Yes, they’re real. And yes, there’s a straw plug rule (They hand it over with the straw hole sealed. If you don’t break the seal, it’s legally still unopened — Louisiana logic, wink.)
- Beignets and chicory coffee: Breakfast, dessert, or both
- Second lines: Parades with soul, brass, and plenty of dancing in the street
The Gulf Coast is flavorful, soulful, and full of surprises. It’s where comfort food has a kick, where family gatherings stretch into full-blown block parties, and where even the storms can’t wash away the joy.
Alaska: Big Silence, Bigger Skies & the Call of the Wild
Where the mountains are massive, the light is dramatic, and nature sets the rules.
Alaska isn’t just another state—it’s its own universe. Wild, remote, and breathtakingly vast, it’s a place where moose cross the road, the sun sets after midnight, and life moves at the pace of the land. From glacier-fed bays to tundra trails, this is a land that humbles—and heals.
A Few Fun Facts:
- Alaska has more coastline than the rest of the U.S. combined—over 33,000 miles of it.
- It’s the only state where you can see the Northern Lights from your backyard.
- Some towns are fly-in only—no roads, no rush, no problem.
- Summer days can last 20+ hours. So can the fishing trips.
How They Say It:
- Break-up season = When the snow melts and everything turns to mud
- Termination dust = The first snow on the mountains—signals fall is here
- Lower 48 = What Alaskans call the rest of the continental U.S.
- Dipnetting = A summer tradition where locals scoop up salmon by the dozen
- Sourdough = A long-time Alaskan resident (not just the bread!)
- Bear-aware = A mindset, a lifestyle, and a necessity
If someone says “watch out for moose on the runway,” they’re not joking. And yes, they mean an actual airport.
Only in Alaska…
- Midnight sun hikes: Headlamp optional, even at 11:30 p.m.
- Carrying bear spray: Like keys, phone, wallet—always within reach
- Moose traffic jams: Slow, stubborn, and surprisingly majestic
- Dog mushing: Still a real form of travel (and sport!) in many regions
- Homesteading pride: Self-sufficiency is a badge of honor here
Alaska is solitude with a soul. It’s for those who love the quiet, the wild, and the long road that doesn’t end. Life here runs on nature’s time—and that’s exactly the point.
Hawai‘i: Aloha Spirit, Island Time & A Language All Its Own
Seafoam waves, golden sand, and misty green cliffs—Hawai‘i welcomes you with a breeze and a bow of light.
Hawai‘i isn't just a destination—it's a rhythm. The islands move to their own beat, blending ancient traditions with modern-day aloha. Whether you're catching the tradewinds on Oʻahu, hiking lava fields on the Big Island, or just waiting in line for shave ice, there's an unspoken understanding here: slow down, respect the land, and live with heart.
A Few Fun Facts:
- Hawai‘i is the most isolated population center on Earth—more than 2,300 miles from the nearest continent.
- ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi (the Hawaiian language) is one of the state’s two official languages—alongside English.
- Hawai‘i consumes more Spam per capita than anywhere else in the U.S.
- There are only 12 letters in the Hawaiian alphabet (5 vowels and 7 consonants).
How They Say It:
- Aloha = Hello, goodbye, love, and so much more—it’s a way of being.
- Mahalo = Thank you.
- Pau = Finished or done ("I'm pau with work!").
- Kamaʻāina = A local resident (literally means “child of the land”).
- Shaka = A hand gesture meaning “hang loose” or “right on.”
- Da kine = The thing, the stuff, the whatchamacallit—ultimate island shorthand.
Toss a shaka out the car window, grab a plate lunch, and remember—on island time, “no worries” isn’t just a saying, it’s a lifestyle.
Only in Hawai‘i…
- Plate lunch: A scoop of rice, mac salad, and your choice of meat—comfort food, island-style.
- Shave ice: Never “shaved.” Melt-in-your-mouth magic topped with tropical syrups.
- Lei greetings: More than flowers—it’s a gesture of love and welcome.
- Locals surf before work: Dawn patrol is a real thing.
- Malasadas: Portuguese donuts brought to the islands—fluffy, sugary, and gone in three bites.
Hawai‘i is more than beaches and luaus—it’s a way of seeing the world with gratitude, patience, and joy. It’s where the land is honored, the community is strong, and a simple shaka can say more than words ever could.
Turns out, the way we talk still holds a lot of meaning—especially when it comes from a place that shaped us. These sayings, habits, and homegrown quirks aren't just linguistic leftovers. They're heirlooms. Little reminders of who we are, where we’ve been, and how regional identity still thrives—even in a world full of algorithms and autocorrect.
We’ve covered a lot of ground—but the heart of it all stays the same: connection. To place, to people, to the kind of memories that don’t need explaining.
At Penny & Rose, we believe scent is another kind of language—the kind that whispers stories and opens memory doors. Every fragrance we create is inspired by a place, a moment, or a feeling that feels like home.
Got a hometown saying too good to leave out? Drop it in the comments—whether it’s sweet, sassy, or totally local. We might just add your regional gem to the blog in our next update!
No matter where you’re from, we probably have a fragrance that smells just like home.