Wicked Pissah: Massachusetts Slang No One Else Will Understand

BOSTON, MA — It's no secret that Massholes have their own way of speaking. Whether it's in a Super Bowl ad or a viral video, the Boston accent is always sure to get a laugh. But that doesn't mean people aren't proud of it.

Patch recently posted the question "What's something you say that only someone from Massachusetts would understand?" Readers across the state responded enthusiastically. Here are some answers:

The most popular response was "packie," the local term for liquor stores that comes from the term "package store."

Several responses covered proper nouns and local institutions:

"Glostah."

"Let's go to Friendly's for fribble."

"Take a left at Dunkins. Then, go straight until you get to the next Dunkins. Then, take a right."

"The Pats didn't cheat."

But most were pure slang:

"Go past the suppah table and walk by the pissah. The bubblah will be right there on your larry. If you get to the cellah door, bang a u-ie cause ya gone too fah."

"WICKED! It's not just a Broadway musical."

"Where’s the bubbler?"

"2nd exit at the rotary!" or "rotahry."

"Have a seat in the palah."

"I'll have the scrod."

"I need a lahge regula."

"I’ll have a tonic."

"We gonna get some zar for lunch."

"Don't skimp on the jimmies."

"Bang a u-ie."

"I left my pocketbook in the parlor next to my cup of tonic."

"Three way soopah beef"

"Hosie"

“Wicked Pissa!”

"My son just got a wiffle."

"No sir (suh)! (In disbelief)"

And Western Massachusetts wasn't totally left out: "Cabbage Night," a regional term for the night before Halloween, got mentioned.

Want to add more Massachusetts words and sentences? Feel free to do so in the comments below or on social media.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.