Downeast Maine Translations

[Stewart "Start" Rhine]

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.    

[Wayne Laepple]

Ayuh....

[Richard "Steam" Symmes]

And remember, there's no R in the word water.  It's "watah".

[James Patten]

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.

[Alan Downey]

James,

I resent that accusation! Besides, we're just trying to make up for ya'll not using them enough!

[Mike Fox]

Mowah.....That's what we use to cut the grass....Ayuh

[Richard "Steam" Symmes]

Enough!  Next thing we'll be quoting some of the "Bert and I" stories.

[Andrew Laverdiere]

Mowah.....That's what we use to cut the grass....Ayuh

Paul! The mowah needs mowah gas!!

[James Patten]

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....

[Keith Taylor]

I lived here for years before I figured out that "shewa" meant sure!
And that New Hampshire town was BERlin, and not BerLIN.

[Stewart "Start" Rhine]

Here's one I had to learn -

MUCKLE - to get a tight hold on something.

[Mike Fox]

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."

[Andre Anderson]

I miss "Bert and I"

Andre
Portland Oregon

[Stewart "Start" Rhine]

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!

[Pete "Cosmo" Barrington]

My cousins (all 52 of them,) who were natives of Strong in Franklin County, used to venture to the stowah to buy a sohdur.