1

"Mad tight"

Image: Andre Benz

Where it is used: New Jersey / New York

In the Northeastern U.S., particularly in New Jersey and New York, "mad tight" is used to describe something that's very cool or impressive. For example, "That concert was mad tight!" This usage reflects the region's tendency to intensify expressions for emphasis.

2

"Lagniappe"

Image: Joe Lavigne

Where it is used: Louisiana

In Louisiana, "lagniappe" refers to a little something extra, often given as a bonus. A French Creole term derived from a Quechua word, this quirky expression reflects the state’s rich cultural blend and tradition of generous hospitality.

3

"Bless your heart"

Image: Dani Guitarra

Where it is used: Southern United States

In the South, "bless your heart" can be a genuine expression of sympathy or, depending on the tone, a polite way to say someone is naive. This phrase highlights the region's emphasis on politeness and layered communication.

4

"Pop"

Image: Troy Coroles

Where it is used: Midwest and parts of the Northeast

In many Midwestern and Northeastern states, "pop" is the preferred term for a carbonated soft drink. Conversely, in the South, "coke" is commonly used to refer to any type of soda, regardless of brand.

5

"Spodie"

Image: wes lewis

Where it is used: Pacific Northwest

In the Pacific Northwest, particularly in Seattle, a "spodie" is an outdoor high school party where attendees share a large container of mixed alcohol and sugary drinks.

6

"Wicked"

Image: Venti Views

Where it is used: New England

In New England, especially in Massachusetts, "wicked" is used as an intensifier, meaning very . For example, "It's wicked cold outside." This usage is a distinctive feature of the New England dialect.

7

"Fixin' to"

Image: Adiel Gavish

Where it is used: Southern United States

In the South, "fixin' to" means preparing to do something soon. For instance, "I'm fixin' to go to the store."

8

"Hella"

Image: Scott Webb

Where it is used: Northern California

In Northern California, particularly in the Bay Area, "hella" is used to mean a lot or very. For example, "That party was hella fun." While scholars aren’t certain whether it originated as a contraction of "hell of a" or from the similarly used word "hellacious," it remains a hallmark of local vernacular.

9

"Y'all"

Image: Helena Lopes

Where it is used: Southern United States

"Y'all" is a contraction of "you all" and is commonly used in the South to address a group. It's a defining feature of Southern speech and culture.

10

"Jawn"

Image: Heidi Kaden

Where it is used: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

"Jawn" is a versatile term from Philadelphia that can refer to anything —a person, place, or thing. For instance, "Pass me that jawn over there." According to some sources, it originated as a slang pronunciation of the word "joint" in African American Vernacular English.

1

Giggle water

Image: Tristan Gassert

Sounds fun, doesn’t it? "Giggle water" was slang for champagne, but later came to mean any kind of alcoholic drink that made you feel good.

The term popped up around 1910 and hung around well into the ’20s. Lighthearted and cheeky, it captured the mood of a tipsy good time. It was all laughs—until the next morning.

2

Blind pig

Image: Annie Spratt

A "blind pig" was code for an underground bar, or speakeasy, where patrons paid to see an "exotic animal" and conveniently received a cocktail with the show. This ruse was an early attempt to skirt the law. The term dates back to the 1800s and had a cousin in crime: the "blind tiger." No matter the name, nobody was there to admire animals—they came for the booze.

3

Juice joint

Image: John Hernandez

At first glance, this might sound like a fruit stand. But during the 1920s, a "juice joint" was slang for a speakeasy—especially the more modest ones. However humble, they had it all: music, dancing, and definitely drinks, legal or not.

The name originally referred to soda stands, but it didn’t take long before it meant something much stronger. If you were thirsty during the dry years, this was a must-stop.

4

Jake walk

Image: Ve al perfil de Andreas M Andreas M

Here’s a sobering one. "Jake" was shorthand for Jamaican ginger extract, a legal tonic with high alcohol content. But manufacturers altered it to skirt regulations—and the results were tragic. Drinkers developed a distinct limp from nerve damage, called the "Jake walk" or "Jake leg." Thousands were affected, especially in the South. It became both a medical crisis and a dark symbol of the risks people took to sneak a drink.

5

Ombibulous

Image: Kelsey Chance

Writer H.L. Mencken had a way with words—and a taste for booze. In 1920, he dubbed himself "ombibulous," meaning he happily drank anything alcoholic, no matter what. He was also known for calling bootleggers "booticians," always with a wink. A strong critic of Prohibition, Mencken turned his drinking habits into witty declarations.

6

Needle beer

Image: Wil Stewart

You know the drill: desperate times, desperate measures. Some barkeeps took regular beer, injected it with alcohol via a syringe through the cork, and served it up as the real deal. This DIY hack became known as "needle beer." It was risky and often poorly mixed, but in an era when options were slim, creativity was all people had. Probably not the safest pint you ever drank, though.

7

Brick of wine

Image: Kym Ellis

Yes, really! You could buy a block of grape concentrate, add water, and wait—voilà, wine! These "bricks" came with an ironic warning not to store them in a cool, dark place (wink, wink), or they might "accidentally" ferment. For wine lovers who craved a glass during the dry years, this was a sly workaround. Just add water, patience, and a sense of humor, of course!

8

Bathtub gin

Image: Bjarne Vijfvinkel

Not a flavor—a method. "Bathtub gin" referred to homemade hooch often mixed in, you guessed it, a bathtub. Tall bottles didn’t fit under sink taps, so a larger space was needed. We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: how creative could they get?

The quality varied wildly, and safety wasn’t exactly guaranteed. However, it became the generic term for all sorts of homebrewed booze.

9

Teetotaler

Image: Jessica Smith

This word originated before Prohibition but got plenty of use during it. A "teetotaler" is someone who avoids alcohol entirely. The term comes from the emphatic "T" in "total abstinence." It gained popularity thanks to temperance movements in the 1800s, long before the ban was official. While others were sneaking into blind pigs, teetotalers were proudly saying, "Thanks, but no thanks."

10

Dry

Image: engin akyurt

If you were "dry," you were all in on Prohibition. Drys supported the ban, and dry counties banned alcohol completely. Agents who enforced the law were often called "dry agents." The term became both a political and cultural identifier. You were either dry or...

11

Wet

Image: CHUTTERSNAP

...you were wet. A "wet" person supported legal alcohol sales, plain and simple. Wet cities and counties allowed booze to flow, and many Americans never bought into the dry movement. The wet/dry divide wasn’t just about drinks—it represented a much larger cultural clash. And as we know now, the wets eventually won.

12

Whale

Image: Todd Cravens

Not a sea creature, but someone who could drink like a fish. A "whale" was a heavy drinker, often the life of the party and the last one standing. Whether at a juice joint or speakeasy, whales had reputations to uphold. The term lives on today in gambling circles, too—but back then, it was all about your booze tolerance.

1

Boring, Oregon – "The Most Exciting Place to Live"

Image: everett mcintire

With a name like Boring, Oregon, you’d expect residents to have a sense of humor. Their slogan flips that expectation, proudly calling Boring the most exciting place to live.

The town has even partnered with Dull, Scotland, to form an "International League of Dull Places."

2

Hell, Michigan – "Go to Hell"

Image: Brad Switzer

Hell, Michigan, has turned its unusual name into a marketing goldmine . The slogan "Go to Hell" is proudly displayed on signs, T-shirts, and souvenirs, attracting thousands of curious visitors each year.

Locals have fun with it, running events like Halloween festivals and themed shops.

3

Normal, Illinois – "Everything is just as it seems!"

Image: Zander Betterton

The city of Normal, Illinois, proudly uses the slogan "Everything is just as it seems!" as its official motto, playfully referencing the town’s unusual name .

The name Normal has historical roots: it comes from the French phrase école normale , which described a type of school for training teachers.

4

Peculiar, Missouri – "Where the ‘odds’ are with you"

Image: Brittney Butler

A town with a name that is the exact opposite of the previous entry, Peculiar, Missouri, has also decided to embrace its unusual identity with the slogan "Where the ‘odds’ are with you," adding a playful touch to it

The oddball branding draws curious travelers, and the town celebrates its peculiarity with local events and merchandise.

5

Nothing, Arizona – "All for Nothing"

Image: Christoph von Gellhorn

Nothing, Arizona, an unincorporated community with an ironic name, became known for the phrase "All for Nothing." While not an official slogan, it reflects the determination of residents who built lives in a place with almost no amenities.

The phrase captures both humor and grit, giving the tiny settlement an identity that can be hard to forget.

6

Superior, Wisconsin – "Living up to our name"

Image: Tom Barrett

Superior, Wisconsin, sits on the western tip of Lake Superior, and its slogan, "Living up to our name," highlights both geography and civic pride .

It’s a confident statement that sticks in visitors’ minds. The town blends natural beauty with historical significance, and the slogan reinforces that it considers itself a cut above the rest.

7

Happy, Texas – "The town without a frown"

Image: Daniel Lloyd Blunk-Fernández

Happy, Texas, took its cheerful name and ran with it . Its slogan, "The Town Without a Frown," spreads positivity and conveys a sense of friendliness throughout the community.

The motto has become a source of local pride, turning a small Panhandle town into a feel-good stop that lives up to its sunny reputation.

8

Gas, Kansas – "Don’t pass gas, stop and enjoy it"

Image: Farhodjon Chinberdiev

Gas, Kansas, leans fully into its unusual name with a slogan that makes travelers laugh every time . Located in Allen County, this small town has become a roadside favorite thanks to its cheeky pun.

Rather than shy away from the obvious joke, Gas celebrates it, featuring the motto on signs and even postcards.

9

Lake City, Iowa: "Everything but a lake"

Image: Shawn Schroeder

Lake City, Iowa, proudly uses the slogan "Everything but a Lake." The phrase humorously acknowledges the irony behind the town’s name, since there’s no actual lake within its limits . Despite this, the motto highlights that Lake City has plenty to offer in other ways.

The town’s name was inspired by another town in Illinois, yet Lake City has successfully carved out its own character.

10

Show Low, Arizona - "Named by the turn of a card"

Image: Gerard Albanell

Show Low owes its unusual name to a high-stakes poker game played between two ranchers who couldn’t agree on who would claim the land. The decision came down to a single rule: whoever drew the lowest card would win, and from that moment, the town became known as Show Low.

Even today, Show Low highlights its origin story in tourism and branding, proudly using the phrase "Named by the turn of a card."