You Might Be a Hoosier If...

There is nothing like a high school class reunion to remind us of our roots. If you grew up in a different area than the one where you now live, you know what I’m talking about.

Other than walking into the room and thinking, "Who are all these old people" when your class has a reunion, you may realize you all had one thing in common-a regionalized vocabulary.

Here is how you know you're from the great state of Indiana:

• When someone says, “They’re such a hillbilly,” you think the person they're talking about is from Kentucky.

• You eat mushmelon in the summer. People outside Indiana call it cantaloupe or muskmelon.

• You water the garden from the outdoor spicket.

• Supper is the evening meal. Dinner is at noon.

• You feesh in the crick.

• Your mom made you warsh deeshes.

• Someone says, “Knee high by the fourth of July” and you know they’re talking about corn fields.

• Your friend says, “Did you put mango in this meatloaf?” and you know she meant green pepper.

• You drop the letter g in all words ending in ing Example: “Wha cha doin’ this evenin? Goin’ feeshin?”

• Someone asks if you want a Coke and you know they’re next going to say, “You want Pepsi, Sprite, or Mountain Dew?”

• You collar in your collaring book with crins.

• You git the joke. And you git goin’ on your homework.

• Your friend says, “Kin I have another pin? Ah can’t write with this one.”

• You pour new SEE-mint on your driveway.

• You say someone is hick-a-fied when you mean backwoodsy or uncultured.

Each state has its own unique way of speaking. I happen to think Indiana rates high on the unique list. And I love it.

Special thanks to former classmates David, Jenny, Katie, Bud and Pat McG. …and my sister Elaine for their suggestions.

Your turn. Does your state have any unique words or expressions? Tell us about it in the comment box below.