Today, I read about a recent analysis that used 25 different safety metrics and showed that the six New England states were, indeed, the safest places to live in the United States. Vermont took the top spot, followed by Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Maine, and then Connecticut. And, while reading that analysis, I thanked the fates that I live in such an amazing area.

And before I go further, let me just state that I’ve lived in a lot of places: Tennessee, Massachusetts, California, Florida, New York, Maine, on the east coast, west coast, north, and south. From snow and 30 below temperatures to tornadoes and 120-degree heat – and everything in between, I’ve experienced it all. But no matter where I am in the world, New England is home.

We’re quirky, unique individuals with unshakeable pride and the spine to back it. And, honestly, even though I work remotely and can live just about anywhere I choose, there’s no other place I’d rather live than in this cul-de-sac of sarcasm. Where we open our doors wide in welcome, and then send you home with a little piece of what it means to be “New England” – every damn time.

So, with July 4th right around the corner, I thought, what could be better than something lighthearted and fun, from the area that birthed the American Revolution?

And so, without further delay, here are some common (and not-so-common) uniquely “New England” vernacular:

1. Wicked – is an adjective. Always. Unless you’re referring to the Broadway show, then it’s both an adjective and noun: “Wicked was WICKED!”

2. Pissah – is a derivative of “pisser’ and, contrary to what the word suggests, it actually means ‘awesome’: “Kehd, that show was pissah!”

3. Kehd – is actually ‘kid’ – who is any person with whom you’re having a conversation, regardless of age: “Don’t bait me, kehd, I had a wicked foul day.”

4. Packie – is short for Package Store which, outside of the six New England states would be referred to as a liquor store: “Kehd, I had a wicked pissah day at work, swing by the packie for a 30-rack so we can celebrate!”

5. 30-Rack – a 30-pack of beer.

6. Hoodsie – a small, waxed paper cup of half chocolate, half vanilla ice cream that was handed out at neighborhood block parties. Or, if you’re from the suburbs of Boston, a girl with ‘questionable’ morals.

7. Frappe – A really thick blend of ice cream, flavored syrup, and milk which, if made correctly, should have to be eaten with a spoon. It is not a milk shake. Ever. Oh, and People from New England know how to pronounce this word (hint the e is silent, SILENT) and blood pressures across the region spiked when McDonald’s introduced their “Frapp-ays” to the area.

8. Uey – A last minute u-turn that usually leaves one person clutching their chest and screaming for God: “Hold on, kehd, I have to bang a quick uey!” “Holy….dear god if I live through this I’m going to skin you alive!”

9. Leaf Peepers – people who travel to the countryside in the fall to enjoy the leaves changing color. They usually are unfamiliar with local speed limits and traffic flows and who will ultimately snarl up traffic, mucking up someone’s day and sending them all screaming into the closest packie.

10. Snowbirds – people who made enough money to have a second home down south for the long winters. Usually envied, or sucked up to, there is no in-between.

11. Boyo – in the South End (“Southie) of Boston, it meant a young, male street kid or “thug”. Now used as a common nickname for anyone’s son. “How was your day at school today, boyo?”

12. The Boy – your son, when you’re too lazy to say their name (it happens) or you just don’t want someone to know their names. “Oh man, I can’t meet you at the bar, I have to pick up the boy.”

13. The Girl – see above, same explanation, different gender.

14. Spuckie – a sub roll (didn’t see that coming, did ya, kehd?)

15. Kenya – no, not the African country, it actually means “Can you?”

16. Jimmies – small rainbow or chocolate sprinkles you put on top of ice cream. “I’ll have a small half-and-half with jimmies.”

17. Half-and-half – a half chocolate, half vanilla soft serve ice cream

18. Fluff-a-nutter – a peanut butter and Fluff sandwich – a time-honored (and delicious) New England tradition.

19. Hamburg – no, not short for a hamburger (which is actually called a ‘burger’), it is short for ‘ground beef.’

20. The Cape – Cape Cod. No, we don’t use the ‘cod’. Ever.

So, if you’re traveling up into New England this summer, come armed with a bit more knowledge and a strong understanding that, no, we really haven’t lost our minds – we’re just speaking a language which is foreign to the other 44 states.

Are you from the New England area? What are some of your favorite sayings? Feel free to comment and add to the list!