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1. Wicked pissa
As in: “Ya new cah’s wicked pissa!”
Even though it sounds like your friend is insulting you, this is the height of compliments in Boston. It means your car is awesome.
2. Skeezah, tool, igit
Bostonians have created a myriad of insulting words for their friends. These ones roughly mean drug addict, asshole, and idiot.
3. Bang
Another casually aggressive Boston term, it means ‘to turn’. As in: “Bang a U-ie up heah, and use ya blinkah!”
4. Pahlah
Refers to the parlor, or living room, of the house. This is where the family typically gathers for social activity.
5. Down the Cape
This refers to Cape Cod, the most popular place to hang out in the summer. You cannot go “up the Cape” because it doesn’t exist.
6. Dunkies
As in Dunkin’ Donuts, the best coffee around. I’ll take a lahge regulah.
7. Spa
A pizza, sandwich, and convenience store all rolled into one. A true Bostonian might suggest that you “get suppah at Town Spa.”
8. Badadoes
No, your friend didn’t just have a stroke. Badadoes means “potatoes” in Boston speak.
9. No suh!
An expression of complete disbelief. The correct response is always “Yes suh!”
10. So don’t I!
Another semi-nonsensical phrase, this one means “me too.”
11. Rippah
Kegger, huge party. Something you don’t want to miss.
12. The Hub (never Beantown)
This description of Boston — “The hub of the solar system” — was coined by Oliver Wendell Holmes in the 19th century. With characteristic flair, Bostonians quickly modified this to “The hub of the universe.” I don’t think anyone knows where “Beantown” came from, but we’re not into it.
