Boston Local Custom Tips by Bostongrrl

Bostonian speak....

Bet we know some things you don't know. Like, what's a three decka? A packie? How about a rotary? Ever banged a U-ey? Worn dungarees or ordered a frappe?

We'd have a pissah time tryin' to stump ya, then make fun of ya behind ya back . . . but that's wicked mean. Instead, here's a little primer to take with you on the T, or while you're on the Common or in the Gahden:

> American Chop Suey ~ This delightful dish doesn't resemble anything American or Chinese. It's macaroni with meat and tomato sauce.

> Bangin' a U-ey ~ This is what you do while driving after you miss a turn and you have to turn around.

> Book it ~ To high tail it someplace, as in, "I better book it to the packie before it closes."

> Bubblah~ Spelled bubbler, it's a water fountain.

> Down Cellar ~ The basement. Derived from upstairs.

> Dungarees ~ Jeans. Hardly heard anymore, unless you're at some sort of senior citizens event.

> Frappe ~ What the rest of the nation calls a milkshake. But in Boston, a milkshake is just flavored milk; no ice cream allowed.

> Fried and Bizarre ~ Weird. "That dude is wicked fried." "Yah, he's totally bizaah."

> Hermits ~ Cookies. A hermit is a molasses and raisin bar.

> Jimmies ~ Sprinkles you put on ice cream.

> Packie ~ Liquor Store.

> Pissah ~ Good.

> Rotary ~ traffic circle. And in Massachusetts, those in the rotary have the right of way.

> Scrod ~ a generic name for white fish. We think it's cod, but no one's sure. Usually breaded and laden with butter (or buttah, as we say).

> Three Decker ~ Pronounced three decka, it's a three story house in which each story is a separate apartment.

> Tonic ~ Soda.

> Wicked ~ Extremely. "Nomaaah's a wicked good baseball playa."

> Other tips: Don't say COPEly Square, it's COPley. Worcester isn't WOOster, it's Wisstah. And Faneuil Hall rhymes with "annual ball". Say Commonwealth Avenue, Massachusetts Avenue or Dorchester Avenue and you'll get pinched. It's Comm. Ave, Mass. Ave and Dot. Ave.

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