1

Christian Bale

Image: Avel Chuklanov

Christian Bale began acting at a young age, landing a role in a TV miniseries when he was ten. This led to his big break at age 13, starring in Steven Spielberg’s Empire of the Sun .

Known for his intense dedication, Bale earned critical praise early on and later won an Academy Award in 2011 for his performance in The Fighter , solidifying his status as one of the top actors of his generation.

2

Michael Jackson

Image: Mathew Browne

Michael Jackson rose to fame in the 1960s as the lead singer of the Jackson 5 , performing with his brothers and gaining significant TV exposure by the age of 11 .

By the age of 14, he had launched a solo career, and his talent and charisma quickly made him a global icon, leaving a lasting impact that extended far beyond his childhood success.

3

Drew Barrymore

Image: Rick L

Drew Barrymore rose to fame as a child star in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial in 1982 . As a member of the legendary Barrymore acting family, she quickly became a household name.

Over the years, she has earned a Golden Globe, received multiple Emmy nominations, and in 2023, was named one of TIME ’s 100 most influential people.

4

Britney Spears

Image: Mathew Browne

Before topping charts at 17 with ...Baby One More Time , Britney Spears had already starred on The All-New Mickey Mouse Club at age 11 .

After the show ended, she signed with Jive Records and quickly rose to fame, winning big at the 1999 Billboard Music Awards, where she claimed multiple honors, including Top New Artist and Top Female Artist. She became a defining figure in the teen-pop wave, alongside fellow MMC alumni.

5

Elijah Wood

Image: Thomas Schweighofer

Elijah Wood got his start in film with a small part in Back to the Future Part II and became a familiar face in ‘90s films like The Good Son and Flipper .

His biggest role came when he portrayed Frodo Baggins in The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Since then, he has taken on a variety of unique roles, particularly in horror and indie films.

6

Miley Cyrus

Image: Masoud Razeghi

Miley Cyrus shot to fame as Hannah Montana from 2006 to 2011 , becoming a teen favorite on the Disney Channel.

She later broke out of her Disney image and built a music career following in her father’s footsteps, Billy Ray Cyrus. In 2024, she won her first Grammy Award for her hit song "Flowers."

7

Jodie Foster

Image: Jakob Owens

Jodie Foster began acting at age 3 , first in commercials and then on television shows such as Mayberry R.F.D.

She rose to fame with standout roles in Taxi Driver and Bugsy Malone , both released in 1976. Foster later built a long and successful career in both film and television.

8

Kirsten Dunst

Image: William Bayreuther

Kirsten Dunst landed her first film role in Bonfire of the Vanities at just 8 years old . Before she even finished high school, she had already built an impressive résumé with standout roles in films like Little Women , Jumanji , The Virgin Suicides , and Bring It On .

9

Stevie Wonder

Image: Gabriel Gurrola

Born in 1950 in Michigan, Stevie Wonder was blind from infancy and showed remarkable musical talent early on, joining a church choir in Detroit.

By age 11, he’d mastered several instruments and signed with Motown as "Little Stevie Wonder." He went on to become one of the most celebrated musicians in history, earning 25 Grammy Awards over his career.

10

Christina Ricci

Image: JOHN BEARBY IMAGES

Christina Ricci made her film debut at age 9 in Mermaids , but it was her role as Wednesday Addams in The Addams Family that made her a star.

She continued her success with family favorites like Casper and Now and Then before transitioning into acclaimed mature roles in films such as Buffalo ’66 and The Opposite of Sex .

11

Kurt Russell

Image: Julia Vivcharyk

Kurt Russell began acting in the early 1960s , with roles in Dennis the Menace and It Happened at the World’s Fair . By the mid-1960s, he was a Disney star under a ten-year contract.

After a brief baseball stint, he returned to acting, landing major roles in films such as The Thing , Escape from New York , and Overboard . He has appeared in over 100 films and TV shows, including Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 .

1

Philadelphia: Jawn

Meaning: used as a placeholder for a noun.

When in Rome, do as the Romans do. When in Philly, be aware that the word jawn can and will be used in every sentence, no matter if the jawn in question is a thing, person, event, or place. If it’s a noun, it can be jawn’ed.

2

New England: Grinder

Meaning: a sub sandwich.

Subs must be one of the most widely known American sandwiches, and rightfully so. Its possibilities when it comes to fillings are seemingly endless, no matter your personal tastes. But you must consider that not every sub is called a sub. If you are passing through New England and fancy a sandwich, looking for a grinder will get you there quicker.

3

Midwest: Schnockered/ Schnookered

Meaning: Schnockered: wasted/ Schnookered: scammed

Is there a connection between excessive alcohol consumption and being easy to deceive? Midwesterners apparently think so, because they use very similar terms for both situations. We tend to agree; nothing good can come from doing business while under the influence.

4

New York: Schlep

Meaning: a difficult task, to carry something with difficulty.

As far as hectic places go, New York seems to be leading the rankings. No wonder they have a dedicated slang repertoire for difficult situations. If you are planning on visiting the Big Apple, take it easy; you will most likely encounter a schlep.

5

Florida: No-see-ums

Meaning: tiny biting midges.

Ah, Florida! The land of cruises, alligators, and invisible attacking bugs. These welcoming critters are known for attacking at dawn and leaving itchy marks that will sting for days. They go by the government name of Ceratopogonidae, but the no-see-ums nickname seems more accurate.

6

Boston: Regular

Meaning: coffee with cream and sugar.

Forget about americanos, lattes, and espressos, a regular is the Boston way to go. Associated with a popular Dunkin’ order, it will come already creamed and sugared. Not advisable for diabetics and lactose intolerants.

7

Puerto Rico: A mi, plín!

Meaning: I don’t care.

Puerto Rican slang can be hard to decipher even if you speak some Spanish, but this makes it even more unique. This phrase —literally translated as ‘to me, plin’— is commonly used to express that something or someone is of no concern to you. What is a ‘plin’? We don’t really know, but to us, plin!

8

Pacific Northwest: The mountain is out

Meaning: there is good weather

Mount Rainier is one of the icons of Seattle and the Pacific Northwest, even though the stormy weather can often make it difficult to admire. On the days when the sky is clear and cloudless, this natural wonder "is out" and can be seen in its entirety. For the locals, the mountain being out has become synonymous with lovely weather and sunny skies.

9

Texas: Fixin’ to

Meaning: about to.

We are including this phrase as Texan slang, but you might hear it from Southerners of other states. What do they use it for? Not to talk about repairs, but to say they are about to do something or getting ready for something. Important: do not confuse it with ‘fixins’, a way to refer to side dishes or condiments.

10

Alaska: Sourdough

Meaning: a long-time resident.

Alaska is filled with natural wonders, but it has always been a tough place to live in, especially during the time of the pioneers. These brave people relied on a few food sources, one of them being sourdough starter to make bread and biscuits. In time, seasoned Alaskans came to be referred to as ‘sourdough’, as a way of honoring their resilience and love for the territory. Opposite to a ‘sourdough’, you can find a ‘cheechako’ or newcomer.

11

Utah: RM

Meaning: someone who returned from their missionary service.

Utah is known for many things, one of them being its high number of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints members (commonly known as Mormons). Many members of the Church choose to serve as missionaries, an activity that can take them to a different state or even a different country for up to two years. Once they come back, they might be referred to as RM, or ‘returned missionary’.

12

Hawaii: Da kine

Meaning: placeholder for something.

If you are in Hawaii, you might notice locals using this phrase to refer to various things, similar to how other English speakers use ‘whatsit’ as a placeholder. A common phrase in Hawaiian Pidgin, ‘da kine’ can be used for objects, people, places, ideas, and much more.

1

Maryland: Crab Cakes

Maryland designated the blue crab as its official state crustacean . The Chesapeake Bay is by now synonymous with blue crabs, and these legendary cakes are a point of pride for the state. A proper Maryland crab cake should contain lump meat held together with just enough filler to keep it from falling apart, seasoned with Old Bay.

Head to Faidley's Seafood in Baltimore's Lexington Market, where they've been serving them since 1886.

2

Louisiana: Gumbo

Gumbo is widely recognized as one of Louisiana’s emblematic dishes, and for good reason. This rich, soul-warming stew was born in the melting pot of 18th-century Louisiana, where enslaved Africans, French colonists, and Native American communities lived in close proximity and blended their culinary traditions into one. Whether you prefer it with chicken and sausage or loaded with seafood, the dark roux is non-negotiable.

For the authentic experience, locals head to Dooky Chase's Restaurant in New Orleans, where Leah Chase served her legendary gumbo for decades.

3

South Carolina: Shrimp and Grits

What started as a humble breakfast for Lowcountry fishermen has become South Carolina's staple dish. Creamy stone-ground grits topped with plump shrimp in a savory sauce: it's simple Southern comfort elevated to an art form.

Charleston's Hominy Grill perfected the combination throughout 24 years before closing in 2019, but the torch has been passed to spots like Slightly North of Broad, where locals still gather for their take on this classic.

4

New Mexico: Chile

New Mexico is so serious about chile that it's both the official state vegetable and the official state question: "Red or green?" refers to which chile sauce you want on everything from enchiladas to burgers.

The Shed in Santa Fe has been serving traditional New Mexican cuisine since 1953, and their red and green chile sauces are legendary.

5

Texas: Chili con carne

Texas doesn't mess around when it comes to chili; there are no beans allowed in the official state dish. Dating back to the 19th century, Texas chili is believed to have originated among cattle drivers and frontier cooks along the famous chili trail , who relied on dried chilies and tough cuts of meat to fuel long drives. Real Texas chili is all about the meat, the chilies, and the spices, slow-cooked until everything melds into something magical.

Austin's Texas Chili Parlor has been dishing it out since 1976, with regulars debating the merits of X-fire versus their milder options. The walls covered in license plates and the no-nonsense attitude make it quintessentially Texan.

6

Massachusetts: Boston Clam Chowder

At Boston's Union Oyster House, America's oldest continuously operating restaurant, the clam chowder recipe hasn't changed much since 1826 , and one spoonful tells you why. While every New England state has its own take on this creamy, thick, clam-and-potato stew—Maine keeps it simple, Rhode Island goes clear-broth, and Connecticut prefers a milky base—Boston's version has become the gold standard, beloved for its richness and depth.

The debate over who makes it best has fueled friendly regional rivalries for generations — though Legal Sea Foods makes a strong case, having served its chowder at multiple presidential inaugurations.

7

Illinois: Popcorn

Illinois is one of the top popcorn producers in the US—and in 2003, it became the official state snack, thanks to an unlikely group of advocates: a class of elementary school students from Joliet, a Chicago suburb, who made it their class project to lobby lawmakers for the designation . Governor Rod Blagojevich signed the bill into law, and popcorn joined the cardinal and the bluegill as official state symbols.

Garrett Popcorn Shops in Chicago have been making people wait in line since 1949. Their "Chicago Mix" combines buttery caramel corn with sharp cheddar cheese popcorn, and locals know to grab a bag whenever they're downtown.

8

Vermont: Apple Pie

Vermont made apple pie its official state pie in 1999, celebrating the state's apple orchards and New England baking traditions. A proper Vermont apple pie should feature tart local apples, a flaky crust, and maybe a slice of cheddar on the side .

The Blue Benn Diner in Bennington serves classic homemade apple pie that locals have been driving out of their way for since 1948.

9

Oklahoma: Fried Okra

Few vegetables are as deeply tied to Oklahoma's identity as okra. It was brought to the American South by enslaved Africans, who carried the seeds with them and wove the crop into the region's culinary fabric. Over generations, it became a cornerstone of Southern cooking.

Coated in cornmeal and fried to golden, crispy perfection, it's a staple at family gatherings and church potlucks across the state . Eischen's Bar in Okarche, Oklahoma's oldest bar, serves fried okra alongside their famous fried chicken.

10

Rhode Island: Clam Cakes and Chowder

One of Rhode Island's favorite appetizers is actually a dynamic duo: clam cakes (fried dough balls studded with chopped clams) paired with their distinctive clear clam chowder . Unlike Massachusetts' creamy version, Rhode Island keeps it brothy, more like a seafood soup without dairy (like the Boston-style one) or tomato (like the Manhattan-style one).

Iggy's Doughboys and Chowder House in Narragansett has been a beachside institution since 1924. Order at the window, grab a picnic table, and watch the ocean while you eat.