What kind of American English do you speak?

Your Linguistic Profile:

60% General American English

15% Dixie

15% Yankee

5% Upper Midwestern

0% Midwestern

What Kind of American English Do You Speak?

I found the quiz above and I am not quite sure how to interpret my results - but I thought it made for a great segue into this post.

Last week, after my post when I was a little caffeine-crazed, a few people shared what they call caffeinated beverages. I call it soda. If you want Pepsi - you ask for Pepsi - if you want Coke - you ask for Coke. On the western side of the state, they call it pop.

Awhile ago, Julieann posted a "chatter" post asking what people call this:


We call it a grocery cart or simply a cart. A few people commented on Julieann's blog that they call it a buggy and they mentioned the signs that read "Park your buggy here." Well now, I live in Amish country so this is where you park your buggy:

Doesn't every grocery store have a bar to hitch up the horses? And please don't look too closely at the ground, because, yes, it is what you think it is!

I began to think about some phrases I use that people have asked me about. I've mentioned before that I still live in the same county I was born in, so going off to college was the first time I heard different phrases than I was used to. And the college I went to is just one county away.

1. One of my college roommates was from Philadelphia and she was often confused by my choice of words. One thing that sticks out in particular was if I was going somewhere and wanted to invite her, I would say, "You coming with?"

She was always like "with......?"

"With me?"

"You coming with?" sounds fine to me, any thoughts?

2. Also, while at college, I was doing an end of semester assignment and teaching a High School PE lesson in lacrosse to my classmates. I instructed them to "Go and pick up your sticks awhile." My professor questioned me, "Awhile what, Leigh Ann?"

"Awhile I wait here as you get them?" I asked, trying to sound sure of myself.

Again, sounds fine to me.

3. I can remember my mom telling me they would say "Outen the lights" to mean turn off the lights. I simply say, turn off the lights.

So I'm curious if you've picked up anything in my writing that is different or makes you wonder, what does that mean? Below is a little quiz. I look forward to reading your answers, feel free to explain. See you in the comments...that is where my answers will be.

1. What do you call a) the noon meal and b) the evening meal?

2. What is this called?

3. What do you call a long sandwich made with deli meats and cheeses?

4. What word(s) do you use to address a group of two or more people?

5. What do you call a sale of unwanted goods on your porch, in your yard, etc?

Thanks for letting me use your idea Julieann.