Being that I am someone who has been born and raised in Florida, it might seem kind of strange that a girl who isn’t even from Wisconsin is creating this list. However, being that I am also someone who has an entire family that is from Wisconsin, believe me- I have never heard a group of people with a more absurd vocabulary than the Wisconsinites. As I was visiting family last month, I was inspired to compile a list of the most common, and strange, phrases that were used by my family.
1. “You betcha.”
An expression used to substitute the phrase “You bet” and is sometimes paired with the prefix “Oh sure,” creating a lovely, “Oh sure, you betcha!”
2. “Spotted Cow.”
A seriously amazing cask-conditioned farmhouse ale brewed in New Glarus, Wisconsin. Only available for purchase in Wisconsin (seriously, word on the street is someone got into a lot of trouble for trying to lug this beer to the North East cc: Minnesota)
3. “Pop.”
A word used to describe any sort of carbonated beverage.
4. Friday Fish Fry.
People from Wisconsin don't mess around with their fish fry and take the Friday mid-afternoon ritual very seriously.
5. “Uff-da.”
A phrase used to substitute the word we know as “ugh.” Usually used by your friendly-neighborhood Wisconsin grandmother. “Uff-da, what a day.”
6. “Dontcha know.”
A phrase used for everything from agreeing to something someone has said, to sharing a new bit of information with your friends. “Oh ya, dontcha know!”
7. “Curds.”
While I don’t really know if this unusual and slightly gross word could be used for anything else, cheese curds are only the finest delicacy in Wisconsin. Usually squeaky and served deep fried with a side of ranch.
8. “Ope.”
One of those weird noises that just seems to be blurted whenever they bump, drop, or hit something. * Bumps into a barstool * “Ope!”
9. “Youse.”
Simply, second person plural. “Has any of youse got a smoke?”
10. “Where abouts.”
A phrase used to ask for directional reference. “Where abouts are ya?”
11. “Borrow me.”
Typically used when asking to borrow something. “Borrow me 5 bucks, ya?”
12. Bubbler.
A water fountain.
13. “Cripes sakes!”
A phrase originating from “Christ sakes” just cleaned up a little bit.
And finally...
14. “Dem”, “Dat”, “Dis”, and “Dere.”
Them, That, This, and There, without the “Th” and instead, a “D”.
“Lemme get one of dem smokes.”
Hopefully this list was a nice little peek on how to properly speak what they like to call: “’Scansin”
