I realize that there are a lot of documented phrases in books but it's interesting to hear people's personal remembrances of regional expressions. There may be some that haven't been documented yet like my example of Santa Barbara Chicano's "Uta!"

Yes there are definite regional examples of American Regional English. In fact there is a Dictionary of American Regional English (four volumes).

The ones that you've come up with are great. Love to hear more.

I remember "pissah" and right, Copacetic may go back to the 1920's although I really think it occurred more in the Thirties with the jazz musicians perhaps in Harlem.

Are there any from Wisconsin, Minnesota or the Mid-west? Of course there is "yumpin yiminee".

Have you heard the expression, "Stay out of trees?" Is this Canadian? It means something like watch out or take care.

Anyone know where the expression "Don't take any wooden nickels" comes from?

"Down the valley" and "go up the valley" is great. That's one you don't hear every day.

I like "slippy" too.   

"Back in the day" goes along with "Time was".

In New Orleans I heard a tough black guy approach another and say "Sumpin?" That meant do you want to make something of it?

"Hooverized" was used during the Depression as a rationing.

"Slum gullion" was a stew served aboard ship in the Merchant Marines.

"Magooslum" was "spit" in Indiana. Then there was also "gism". (don't need to describe)

Does anyone remember "Mumbledy peg"? It was played with marbles and a pocket knife kind of like "jacks". Regional to Indiana and the South.

Sure you can find all kinds of expressions in books but it's more interesting to hear what people remember in their own lives.

For example, "hip checking" comes from hockey I've been told but it was used on the schoolyard by large girls banging their hips against other girls and knocking them across the schoolyard.

Is "round the bend" an English expression for being crazy?



Frank Hamilton