W.W.&F. Discussion Forum
WW&F Railway Museum Discussion => Whimsical Weirdness and Foolery => Topic started by: Stewart "Start" Rhine on July 22, 2013, 08:47:06 AM
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The other day we had some visitors who engaged us in a lively conversation about Maine life. We asked where they were from and they replied "Portland". At that point there was some discussion of Casco Bay and things to do along the waterfront. When we mentioned the Eastern Prom and Maine Narrow Gauge there was a blank stare. After a monent of silence the guests clarified things - they were from Portland, ... Oregon. Oh, that explains why they didn't know some of Maines' largest citys better known attractions.
There may have been a bit of a lauguage barrier. So, to help with understanding all things Maine, here is a guide for folks from away;
AYUH - usually means "yes" but it's also what you ask for when you go to the fillin station with a flat tire.
HAHBAH - a safe place for fishamen when the ocean is all riled up.
CAH - as in: pahk the cah in Bah Hahbah, or Model T railcah.
WICKED - can be said at almost any occasion, usually followed by the words "big" or "good"
LOBSTAH - favorite food of Mainahs and rusticatahs.
MOWAH - as opposed to less.
Hope this clears up a few things.
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Ayuh....
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And remember, there's no R in the word water. It's "watah".
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All the Rs that New Englanders drop roll down to Texas, where they pick them up and use them in places they don't belong.
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James,
I resent that accusation! Besides, we're just trying to make up for ya'll not using them enough!
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Mowah.....That's what we use to cut the grass....Ayuh
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Enough! Next thing we'll be quoting some of the "Bert and I" stories.
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Mowah.....That's what we use to cut the grass....Ayuh
Paul! The mowah needs mowah gas!!
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Enough! Next thing we'll be quoting some of the "Bert and I" stories.
Buht and Aye went down t' the docks at six o'clock in the munnin....
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I lived here for years before I figured out that "shewa" meant sure!
And that New Hampshire town was BERlin, and not BerLIN.
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Here's one I had to learn -
MUCKLE - to get a tight hold on something.
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don't forget diggah. This can be several things. Someone who digs clams, an excavator, or what happened to you when you fell. "I took a diggah."
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I miss "Bert and I" ;)
Andre
Portland Oregon
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One of my favorites -
UPTA - as in "we're goin upta camp this weekend".
UPTA kind of reminds me of how we used to say "you goin downey ocean?" In Maryland, "downey ocean" meant Ocean City as compared to a destination somewhere along the Chesapeake Bay. A trip to a bay location was known as "goin down the shore". Prior to the Bay Bridge(s) being built, many folks took the old bay steamer "Smokey Joe" from Baltimore over to Love Point on the Eastern Shore.
Bawlmereese is a bit like Downeast Maine slang ... just not as much fun!
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My cousins (all 52 of them,) who were natives of Strong in Franklin County, used to venture to the stowah to buy a sohdur.
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Stewart--from your earlier post:
WICKED - can be said at almost any occasion, usually followed by the words "big" or "good"
This is frequently intensified with "some." SOME WICKED GOOD (or BAD, I guess, though I've only heard the "GOOD" form)
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A few more translations are in order since these have come up recently -
Chuppta? - This is normally asked when someone enters the shop.
Match - The month that follows February.
Bah - The 5 to 6' long metal rod used to adjust the position of rail and ties. This term will be used during next month's work weekend.
Mack - Another work weekend term as in "put a chalk mack on the tie where the first spike will be set".
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Not "Match" it's "Maaahch".
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It's also not "sure"
It's "shore"
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And its Kitty-corner not Catty-Corner..........
As for learning "mid-western" speak, its "crick" not "creek".......
And for the true coffee-hounds, you're going to WAWA, not Starbucks - sorry not available in Maine (yet)
Hope all have enjoyed their "literary" experience for the day. ;D
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I could fill a page with all the sayings I have heard. Gawd Paw, whats fah suppah.
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I left my keys upta camp
Or gonna take a ride upta the WW&F to see what's in the dooryard at the house
Sorry I'm from away
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Got 6 foot drifts in my door yahd. Wanted suppah but had to go upta stowah for some cow.
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When I was a young pollywog on the southeastern coast of RI, I was convinced that a local family was named "Cotta" and that the local skating pond was the "Cod" mill pond. I couldn't figure out what a salt water fish had to do with a freshwater pond in the woods.
Also, if you were annoying your brother, you were told to stop "plegging" them. Anyone ever heard that one?
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Yes Gawdon. Grandmother used to say that to me all the time
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Fact about the entomology of Maine:
Maine has no hornets. It does, however, have hahnets. If you're plowin, it's not a good thing if a hahnet stings one of the hahsses.
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I am so enjoying this thread! ;D ;D
Andre Anderson
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theres also cornah or corner and theres shootin,huntin,and others of which i cant think of
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That's "CAH-nah"... ;)
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Gad-nah
A town on the Kennebec ... or a person growin' vegetables.
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Good luck with de beyah. They are awful hungry and tip trash cans over so loud you need to take a beyah asprin