There are certain words and phrases you’ll only hear in New Jersey, and there are other words and phrases that mean something entirely different in our state. The following 18 words may confuse outsiders, but most New Jerseyans will know just what they mean.
Posted in New Jersey March 05, 2016 | Only In Your State
1. Down The Shore
To the beach. Used in most (but not all) parts of the state.
A not so nice word for Bayonne, Elizabeth, Newark and New York-area residents who “infiltrate” the Jersey Shore during the summer. Used mostly in more northern beach towns.
Same as benny, but generally used further south. The origin supposedly comes from day-trippers who took the train to the shore, bringing lunch in a shoe box.
The greatest convenience store ever. Though it got its start in Pennsylvania, the chain soon spread to New Jersey. An instant favorite in South Jersey, most North Jersey WaWas were shut down by the mid-1990s. They’re once again making their way back north.
The best regional breakfast meat ever. (Used in South Jersey.) Served on a hard roll with egg and cheese.
See above. Used in North Jersey. I still can’t believe that this delicious meat isn’t served in every state.
French fries topped with cheese and gravy. A diner staple.
Usually New York City, sometimes Philadelphia.
Not a substitute or a submarine, but a sandwich. More commonly used in North and Central Jersey.
Same as above, but more commonly used in South Jersey. Sometimes known as a hero or grinder.
Not THAT Devil, but perhaps his son… Depends on the urban legends you’ve heard.
Not always the nicest word, this is a term sometimes used to refer to residents of South/Southwest New Jersey’s Pine Barrens. This shot was snapped from a fire tower on Apple Pie Hill, the highest point in the Pine Barrens.
A Trenton-area favorite. It differs from pizza as the focus is on the sauce.
A deep-fried hot dog. Originated from Rutt’s Hut in Clifton. More commonly used in North Jersey.
Out-of-staters might also call Bruce Springsteen “The Boss,” but he may not be the first thing that comes to mind when hearing those words.
The number you give someone when they ask where you live. Usually used on the eastern side of the state.
Not just an abbreviation for air conditioner… Atlantic City, where we spend countless summer weekends and 21st birthdays. A popular bus trip destination.
It has nothing to do with a jug. A traffic circle/way to make left turns.
