Living in the South Jersey area almost seems like you're stepping into a different world. The people there have a particular dialect and to non-natives, may seem like they speak a different language. For years, vacationers and visitors have tried to accurately decode South Jersey Jargon, and while it can be difficult, understanding all the terms you'll hear can make your time in the area a bit easier. So to help you translate the language we speak down here, Prestige Subaru is here with your guide to South Jersey jargon.
Dialects
Before we dive into the definitions of the terms you'll only hear in South Jersey, it's important to address our dialects. Yes, we do have a fairly noticeable dialect where we pronounce vowels a bit differently. For example, we refer to the liquid that comes out of the faucet as "wudder," and we pronounce the days of the week as "Mondee, Tuesdee, etc." So when you speak to a South Jersey native and hear something sound a bit off, just remember it's only our awesome dialect.
Hoagie
In South Jersey, the most common term you'll hear all year long is "hoagie." A hoagie is what most people call a sub. It's essentially a sandwich made on a long roll. And while many people get this at Subway, we prefer ours to come from Wawa or Primo Hoagies.
Jimmies
In South Jersey, we don’t call our favorite ice screen topping sprinkles. We add a bit of flair to it, and call it "jimmies." The term originated in 1930, and was defined as a type of caking topping. Though many in the state shifted to calling them sprinkles, we in the South Jersey region still refer to these colorful or chocolate toppings as jimmies.
Wawa
When anyone, especially those from North Jersey, thinks of the South Jersey area, the one of the first things that comes to mind is Wawa. It's not so much a term, but chances are you'll hear about it or see it at least once a day. It's the favorite breakfast, lunch, dinner or any time on-the-go eatery, and a huge South Jersey staple. This convenience store is fairly similar to a 7-11, but there's more to love about Wawa. This is where you'll get fresh hoagies, salads and more; the prices are affordable and it's everywhere. You can't really throw a rock without hitting one. So if you're in the area, stop at a Wawa and you'll see why we love it so much.
Water Ice
"Water ice" is a frozen treat that you may know as Italian ice. It's thicker than a slushy and can be found at Rita's Water Ice in various locations and Diane’s Water Ice in Voorhees, NJ. As a South Jersey tradition, at the start of every spring kids and adults of all ages head to stores for free water ice.
Fist Pump
If you haven't heard of any other terms mentioned, you're sure to be familiar with "fist pump." Made famous by the reality show The Jersey Shore, fist pumping is a dance move that involves punching the air above you to the beat music. Though widely known, the actual act of fist pumping isn't common or popular in South Jersey.
Shore
In South Jersey, we know our dialect and terms can be different, but we're proud of where we're from and the quirky language we grew up with. So if you're visiting the Turnersville, Cherry Hill or Mount Laurel area and are having some trouble understanding what we're saying, brush up on the local lingo with your guide to South Jersey jargon above.
Prestige Subaru is a proud South Jersey local dealership and the go-to place for all your automotive needs. So if you need a new Subaru or just need servicing, give us a call or stop by our showroom to schedule your test drive or appointment today.
Categories:
Community Events
