From Sub to Hoagie: Linguistic Diversity Across America

The United States' sheer size makes it one of the four biggest countries in the world, which shouldn't be a surprise, given that most other countries are the size of a state or three. Given the size, finding several dialects and word choice variations can make traveling interesting.

Yet, a language only lives as long as its people. During their lives, it evolves with them and stops when the culture dies. There's a reason scientists and doctors use Latin—dead languages don't change.

To assemble this list of things that have different names in different states, 24/7 Tempo consulted sources such as Slangcity, the blog Grammarphobia, Vocabulary.com, and media sources including Reader's Digest. This list is by no means comprehensive, because that is impossible in this format. But, it should give you a sense of the beautiful variety that exists in the U.S.

You'll find pop in the midwest and Coke in the south; along the west coast, it's called soda. Large sandwiches in New Jersey and New York are often called subs or submarines, but in others areas go by grinders, heroes, and hoagies. Additionally, what is known as a lollipop in the Northeast is commonly called a sucker in the Midwest and South. When you're done here, be sure to read Slang and Phrases Only Southerners Understand.

Then, you find some odd words that don't make much sense. For example, barbed wire is called silk in Wyoming, people in Massachusetts call a hospital gown a Johnny, and a tip in Nevada is called a toke. If you're really having fun heading down the rabbit hole, take read about Things They Say in New England That the Rest of Us Probably Don't Get.

Biscuit

Where used: Most of US
Synonym: Saddle horn
Where synonym is used: Wyoming

Car with one headlight

Where used: Most of US
Synonym: Padiddle
Where synonym is used: Midwest, East, West

Catfish

Where used: Most of US
Synonym: Hornpout
Where synonym is used: New Hampshire

Cicadas

Where used: Much of US
Synonym: Jar flies
Where synonym is used: Appalachia

Diagonally across

Where used: Most of US
Synonym: Catty-corner, kitty-corner
Where synonym is used: Nebraska, New Jersey

Earthquake and tornado

Where used: Most of US
Synonym: Quakenado
Where synonym is used: Oklahoma

Fireflies

Where used: West Coast and New Jersey
Synonym: Lightning bugs
Where synonym is used: East Coast

Frosting

Where used: Most of US
Synonym: Icing
Where synonym is used: Much of US

Garbage can

Where used: Northern US
Synonym: Trash can
Where synonym is used: Southern US

Glove compartment

Where used: Most of US
Synonym: Jockey box
Where synonym is used: Idaho

Highways

Where used: Most of US
Synonym: Freeways
Where synonym is used: West Coast

Hospital gown

Where used: Most of US
Synonym: Johnny
Where synonym is used: Massachusetts

Jungle juice

Where used: Most US colleges
Synonym: Wapatuli
Where synonym is used: Wisconsin

Laundromat

Where used: Most of US
Synonym: Washateria
Where synonym is used: Texas

Lollipop

Where used: Northeast
Synonym: Sucker
Where synonym is used: South and Midwest

Meat and three side dishes

Where used: Most of US
Synonym: Meat and three
Where synonym is used: Tennessee

North Carolina

Where used: Most of US
Synonym: North Cackalacky
Where synonym is used: North Carolina

Pothole

Where used: North
Synonym: Chughole
Where synonym is used: South

Prairie dog

Where used: Most of US
Synonym: Whistle pig
Where synonym is used: Idaho

Silk

Where used: Most of US
Synonym: Barbed wire
Where synonym is used: Wyoming

Soda

Where used: Northeast and West
Synonym: Pop/Coke
Where synonym is used: Midwest/South

Sprinkles

Where used: Most of US
Synonym: Jimmies
Where synonym is used: New England

Submarine sandwiches

Where used: New Jersey, Connecticut
Synonym: Heroes/grinders/hoagies
Where synonym is used: New York City/New England/Pennsylvania

Tennis shoes

Where used: Most of US
Synonym: Sneakers
Where synonym is used: Northeast and Florida

Tipping

Where used: Most of US
Synonym: Toke
Where synonym is used: Nevada

Traffic circle

Where used: Most of US
Synonym: Roundabouts/rotaries
Where synonym is used: West and South/New England

Unconventional

Where used: Most of US
Synonym: Cattywampus
Where synonym is used: Much of South

Vacuum

Where used: Most of US
Synonym: Sweeper
Where synonym is used: Midwest

Yard sale or garage sale

Where used: Most of US
Synonym: Jumble sale
Where synonym is used: Washington