Sometimes it feels like St. Louis has its own language.
Sure, the words may be the same as English words, but the meanings are totally different. You'll see what we mean after reading a few of our favorite words with a unique St. Louis meaning:
1. Ravioli
What it really means: An Italian dumpling with cheese, meat or veggie filling inside pasta dough.
What it means in St. Louis: A breaded, deep-fried treat. The ultimate appetizer.
2. Hoosier
What it really means: A person from Indiana.
What it means in St. Louis: A hick, redneck, backward country bumpkin.
3. Landing
What it really means: Arriving. Docking on the shore from a boat, or on the ground from a plane, or on the moon from a spaceship.
What it means in St. Louis: The place where bachelorette parties used to get shitfaced until Ballpark Village opened.
4. Washers
What it really means: A machine that washes clothes. Often accompanied by a dryer.
What it means in St. Louis: The best game ever.
5. Arch
What it really means: An architectural structure used in bridges, aqueducts, buildings, etc.
What it means in St. Louis: A monument with "scenic" views of the east side.
6. Boat
What it really means: A seafaring vessel.
What it means in St. Louis: Casinos. "Let's go down to the boat!"
Seven more words from the "St. Louis dialect" on the next page! 7. Butter
What it really means: A dairy product made from cream or milk.
What it means in St. Louis: The main ingredient in the world's best dessert, gooey butter cake.
8. T-Rex
What it really means: A dinosaur with tiny arms.
What it means in St. Louis: The downtown business incubator home to some of St. Louis' future great companies.
9. Farty
What it really means: How you feel after too many beans.
What it means in St. Louis: The highway (that's supposed to be) known as Interstate 64, said with a St. Louis accent.
10. City Museum
What it really means: A boring collection of artifacts.
What it means in St. Louis: A playground for adults, complete with booze.
11. Dome
What it really means: A rounded top to a structure.
What it means in St. Louis: Where the Rams are playing for the next year.
12. Bootheel
What it really means: The heel of a boot.
What it means in St. Louis: Where all the hoosiers live.
13. Hill
What it really means: Smaller than a mountain, bigger than a pile.
What it means in St. Louis: The neighborhood with the best sandwiches.
Follow Lindsay Toler on Twitter at @StLouisLindsay. E-mail the author at [email protected].
