Have you ever rambled on and on about something, thinking that the person you're talking to understands everything that you're saying, only to get to the end of your rant for them to say they have no clue what you are talking about?
Too many times during my Freshman year I heard people say, "what does that even mean? We don't understand your Boston lingo."
Now, this didn't bother me much, although it was strange because I'd been using those same words all of my life and never thought twice about whether or not someone understood what I was saying.
At the same time, it kind of made me feel a sense of pride, in a "haha, I know Boston's exclusive language and you don't" type of way. I have no problem adapting to Danville's language, however there is no way I am just going to get rid of language that I'd been using all of my life.
To mend two cultures so people can understand the Bostonians on campus a little better, here is Centre's guide to Boston lingo.
1. "Lit"
Often used by the self-proclaimed Johnny Chen, "lit" can be used in many contexts. It can mean something is good or especially on the weekends, the squad is "lit" as in we are turnt.
2. "Dunks"
No, not a literal slam dunk. People in Boston rarely ever call Dunkin; Donuts, Dunkin' Donuts. A daily iced coffee from Dunks is just what Bostonians need to get through the day. It doesn't help that the closest Dunks to campus is 45 minutes away. The Dunks deprivation is real.
(Yes I am a SuperBowl-winning, non-cheating Patriots fan, and yes I run on Dunkin).
3. "Wicked"
Not to be confused with the play, this word is synonymous to very. If something is "wicked awesome," that means it's a must have or a must see. People who "pahk the cah in the Hahvahd Yahd" tend to use this word more often than not.
4. "Mad"
This doesn't mean literal anger, but it's also another way to say "very". If it's "mad" cold outside, expect me to stay inside. You can find me when it gets "mad" warm.
5. "Brick"
It's no secret that we've had some brutal winters up in Boston. However, it gets chilly and snowy in little ole Danville as well (that snow day, where I went sledding all day, with my friends was clutch). I was very naive in thinking that Danville would never get cold. Silly of me, 'cause Danville gets brick.
These are just a few of the words that will get people on campus to understand how Bostonians talk. I'm trying to learn as much lingo as a I can because the more I know, the more I can relate to different people from different regions, which is extremely rewarding.
