I grew up in Minnesota, went to university and grad school in W=
isconsin, and first 15 years of pastoring served congregations in Michigan =
and Wisconsin. Think that qualifies why I speak “Midwestern”.&n=
bsp; Here are a few common phrases or words that SUPPOSEDLY define Midweste=
rn from the rest of the USA. Do YOU qualify for any of these in your =
daily conversation? You say . . .
HOTDISH (instead of casserole)
=
POP (instead of soda or coke)
 =
;
SWEEPER (instead of vacuum cleaner)
UFF DA (express surprise, relief, exhaustion, o=
r dismay)
STOP-AND-GO-LIGHT (instead of traffic signal)
FIB (not a=
lie, but derogatory term for tourists from Illinois, Indiana, or Iowa)
DON’=
;TCHA KNOW (assume understanding and agreement(
BUBBLER (instead of drinking foun=
tain or cooler)
Duck, Duck, GRAY DUCK (instead of Duck, Duck, Goose)=
GYM S=
HOES/TENNIES (instead of tennis shoes)
=
FIXIN’ TO (instead of getting ready =
to)
FO=
R CRYING OUT LOUD (expression of frustration)
SPENDY (instead of expensive)
=
LAKE EFFECT=
(describing heavy snowfall)
CATTYWUMPAS (i=
nstead of askew or crooked)
UP NORT (region of woods and lakes in no=
rthern Minnesota, northern Wisconsin, or UP of northern Michigan)
STATE BIRD (not the loon or goose or official bird, =
but instead of the mosquito).
Okay, I’=
;m done. Remember, it could be worse.
~~
Dr Bob Griffin
bo=
[email protected] www.grif.net
"Jesus Knows Me, This I Love!"=