Found in translation
Part of what makes moving and living in a foreign country so much fun is learning how locals approach and use language differently to how you do.
At the surface level, accents are the most alluring — words are spoken with their own peculiar twang, drawl, and intonation.
These are an endless obsession for me to learn to imitate (I’m working on my Brooklyn accent!), and in the hours when I’m alone, I find myself tracing the shapes of words and syllables of these pronunciations across my mouth1.
But most interesting to me are the unique phrases and sayings that appear in only one part of the world.
Some phrases are simple one-to-one replacements for sayings that I’m already familiar with — for example, the Aussie '“G’day mate!”, which roughly means “hello, dear friend”.
But the most fascinating phrases are completely unique, only used in that locale and that locale alone. They use different, special words, in a surprising and peculiar order.
And at their most intriguing, the language used in these common phrases not only reveals how that community experiences and interprets the world, but also their unique history and cultural heritage.
So — after living in New York City for a few months, I’ve picked up on some of the unique local phrases and sayings. From pizza slices to forget about it, here are some of my favourites that capture the essence of New York culture.
The City — referring to the island of Manhattan, the dense centre of New York 🏙️
There are, of course, other cities in the world (very many, in fact), but for New Yorkers, only one city matters.
Sadly, Brooklyn isn’t referred to as The Suburb (or even The ‘Burb) though this might be a good trend for me to start in 2023.
Get/grab a slice — buying and eating a slice or two of pizza 🍕
One of my favourites, because of the pizza (of course).
You won’t be able to get a slice in London, Lebanon or Lisbon — the culture of pizza-by-the-slice just doesn’t exist there, or in many other cities. It’s one of many things that makes NYC special.
The use of get or grab is also very American. The phrase is grammatically correct in other English dialects, but it is rarely used. It suits the American lifestyle much better, indicating a dining experience that is fast, on the move, and individual, as opposed to slow, seated, and communal.
Fuhgeddaboudit — forget about it, but all smushed together.
In truth, no one I know says this earnestly2.
And if they do use it, they’re usually trying to do an impression from The Sopranos and their excitement bubbles over to their audience, who inevitably respond with a eh, I’m walking ‘ere!, regardless of if they’re walking or sitting down. It’s a circus, but I’m happy to be a part of it.
You’re so good — Don’t worry about it (??)
I struggled to understand what this meant when I first moved to NYC. I initially took it as a compliment — I thought it meant that I was considered to be a good person or of good morals, and this meant that I was making friends!
But sadly none of this was true — it actually means that whatever inconvenience I’ve caused hasn’t offended the other person much, similar to no worries.
Baconeggandcheese — Bacon egg and cheese
Despite being a vegetarian, I know of the bacon, egg and cheese sandwich — it’s that famous here in NYC!
But it’s never said clearly. Similarly to fuhgeddaboudit, the sounds are all smushed together, and you have to figure out the meaning from context.
Saying baconeggandcheese reminds me of my first bagel experience. This was a similar vernacular shock, as bagel orders were similarly entwined, paragraph-into-word style:
pumpernickel-toasted-with-lox. everything-sliced-to-go. sesame-toasted-but-go-light.
Folks seemed to be in a rush to say their order in the shortest time possible, as if they’re making an international phone call and being charged by the minute.
So — when I ordered my bagel through a slow question and answer manner, like how you’d speak to the automated robot running your bank’s phone number — you can imagine how the workers received it!
Truth be told, making a bagel order in a skill I’m still acquiring. I hope to perfect it by my anniversary in the city.
So — those are my favourite sayings of New Yorkers! I’d love to hear your favourite sayings of New Yorkers, Brits3, or the folks that live wherever you do. Do let me know.
Take it easy ✌️