What We Mean When We Say Hello
The curious geography of American greetings
Arts
79 posts
So, Where Do You Live? What Do You Do?
When we were in Greenville SC recently, I was surprised to learn that a very common follow-up to the greeting of “How do you do?” or “Nice to meet you,”…
Dadgum! Katy, Bar the Door!
Speaking Your Mind in South Carolina
On the Limits, but Also the Power, of Local Narratives
The stories cities tell about themselves, and the difference that makes.
‘Springbok, Cleared for Landing’: More on the Language of the Skies
[See update* below.] On our recent flight home in our small plane from Eastport ME, to Washington DC, we were listening, as we often do, to the air traffic controllers (ATC). They…
Building a Museum: Report From Down East
A Maine couple defies the odds -- and helps to build community in the process.
‘Tis the L.L.Bean Season for Pinball Wizards and Wicked Good Wieners
I always associate the word “wicked” with the Maine icon L.L.Bean. For good reason: do you know that if you search on the L.L.Bean website for “wicked” that you will…
Do You Speak Eastport?
A town teaches itself to talk positive.
Down East Down Under
When ships sailing downwind are sailing east
EATNN TTUNA SNWCH – hold (at) MAYYO: More on the Secret Language of the Skies
"The approach fixes, in order, are TRAMP, FLOZY, SILKY, and JAKOR. I'm sensing a pattern here but would love to know the back story."
ITAWT ITAWA PUDYE TTATT: The Secret Language of the Skies
Aviation has a lot of special language, like sailing or gymnastics. Its brief, even curt efficiency and orderly templates keep planes on course and out of each other’s way. For…
Magical Roundabouts and the Language of Signs
Exploring the sociocultural landscape of Burlington
Everyone’s a Linguist: More on ‘Coming With’
Many readers wrote in about my recent post on how so many South Dakotans end a sentence with with. As in, “Are you coming with?” instead of “Are you coming with us?” And…
How to Make Nice With the Call Center
The language of Sioux Falls
Thanks Much! On the Geography of Language
"Is this your guys's stuff?" And other linguistic markers.