When someone says, “rutch over,” do you move over or just give the person a puzzled look? Your answer may depend on whether you’re from here…or not. We’re different, and we’re proud of our localisms. Well, most of them!
You wouldn’t want to be called dopplich (clumsy) or shushly (squirmy). No native kids like to be told to stop brutzing or gretzing (whining). To stay out of trouble, it pays to know what “daresn’t”or “better hadn’t” means. Still, you’d definitely want “icening” on your cake.
Ferhoodled yet? Yup, that means confused. Every locale has its own language, and the following local pronunciations, quirky place names, and other sayings might help you communicate with native Yorkers, Lancastrians, and Harrisburgers.
GIVE OR TAKE A WORD
The dog needs fed. (Missing “to be.”)
Outten the lights now, once.
What time is it over till?
Can I take your order awhile?
Do you work at Harley yet? (Meaning still.)
Don’t cha know, now!
The milk is “all” or “all-y-all.” (In other words, there ain’t any.)
DEFINITIONS
Filling = what you stuff a turkey with
Dippy eggs = sunny side up/over easy
Nixy = being naughty
Schtrubly = messy, as in“my hair is schtrubly today”
Fell out = fainted
SAY IT LOCAL
“Ruhtz.” Spelled “Roots” (A farmers’market in Manheim)
You’nz/Youse
LANKisster, LIDDitz
Emphasis on the... So DO I / Nine YEARS old / Turn at the RED light (What if it’s not red?)
Hunner = hunter
Conodoguinet Creek On the West Shore (pronounced Con-a-duh-win-it) The name has local lore or meaning “can I go in it?” but it’s actually Native American for “a long way with many bends.”
PLACES THAT ARE JUST FUN TO SAY
McAdoo
West Cocalico
Schuykill County pronounced, for some reason, “Skoo-cull”
QUIRKY NAMES
Yoe, Spry, Hellam,Pillow, Earl, Bart, Gap, and Hempfield
In a class of their own are Intercourse and Blue Ball,which fortunately are a good hour away from Virginville.
FERHOODLING WEATHER
Is the snow laying? Maybe, but not like a hen
Onion snow That last little snow that doesn’t quite cover the onion grass
Spritzin’ In between rain and a drizzle
It’s really makin’ down Seriously raining
EXPRESSIONS
Redd up the room = Clean/straighten
Oh my word = Instead of oh my gosh or God
Let a message/I left it go = This might sound right to youif you’re local, but it’s really not
All the sudden = All of a sudden
That’s the earliest you’ve been late yet = You aren’tas late as you usually are
Going down the Brogue = Going to a small town in York County called Brogue
Somferkinda = When you don’t know exactlywhat something is but it’s “some kind of...”
Halfway wondering, half a headache,half-sick to my stomach = This might mean afear of commitment to how one is feeling
LIVING YOUR PERSONALITY?
In this region, there are lots of interesting street names. Are you the type to live on Harrisburg’s Hummingbird Lane or near the Hummer limo (see Google Maps) on Prosperous Drive? Does Smile Way or Dark Hollow Road (both in York) capture your personality? Lancaster’s Black Bear Lane and Cricket Green give different impressions.
For an upscale address, pick Sultan Supreme Way, Peppermill Lane, or Gemstone Drive. Your car probably wouldn’t have much luck on Deer Leap Lane or Snow Alley. Neon Light Drive doesn’t seem to have any lights at all, while Fading Way isn’t. Most superstitious might be Lucknow Road and most peaceful Serene Way. But the prize for most charming goes to Apple Butter Lane. Who wouldn’t want an address like that?
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