Ah, Lawn Guyland. That magical strip of land between New York City and New England where people tawk funny, drink too much cawfee, and love shopping at the mawl.
But it’s not just the accent that sometimes makes it hard for people not from Long Island to understand Long Islanders. There’s also a few terms used locally that can prove confusing to those not in the know.
Here are 10 phrases that only Long Islanders may understand.
OUT EAST
What Long Islanders call going to the East End, home of the Hamptons and the North Fork Wine Trail.
CHANGE AT JAMAICA
Out of context or without prior knowledge of the Long Island Rail Road, one might think change at Jamaica involves a personal transformation in the Caribbean.
THE CITY
No, it’s not Kansas City Long Islanders are referring to. It’s The Big Apple.
THE TWIN FORKS
This is not a matching pair of utensils. It’s the North and South forks on the East End.
CITIOTS
This pejorative portmanteau is what full-time East End residents call people from the city who summer in the Hamptons.
THE PENCIL
If a Long Islander says, “Make a left at The Pencil,” the driver should look for the Jones beach water tower, not a writing instrument.
THE DRUNK TRAIN
Any eastbound LIRR train leaving Penn Station packed with bridge-and-tunnel crowd riders going home after a night out on the town on any given weekend.
TUMBLEWEED TUESDAY
These figurative tumbleweeds roll through Long Island beach towns after they become ghost towns the day after Labor Day, when beach season ends and the kids go back to school.
UP ISLAND
No, this isn’t the name of an island north of LI. It’s what East End residents refer to Long Islanders who live west of the Twin Forks.
DOWN PORT
Not a brand of Port wine, it’s what Port Jefferson residents call the village’s harbor-front downtown.
Related Story: 11 Reasons Why Not To Move to Long Island
For more stories in Brain Candy, visit longislandpress.com/category/brain-candy
Sign up for Long Island Press’ email newsletters here. Sign up for home delivery of Long Island Press here. Sign up for discounts by becoming a Long Island Press community partner here.
