What does the way you speak say about where you’re from?

[Sciencewoman]

I had some different questions pop up the second time, too.

That bug is a roly-poly. We don't really have very many of them, at all, but I think I've used traffic circle and roundabout interchangeably. Neither one sounds "weird" to me, but the other choices did.

I have a different question. Around here, we have something that is commonly called a "Michigan turn." I've always wondered about this name, because other places must have them, too. AGDee, have you heard this term? Instead of making a left turn, at busy intersections/boulevards, you often have to turn right, then come back around. I googled it, and found articles, images, etc.

[ASTalumna06]

Originally Posted by pinksequins

Rotaries are circles in DC (Logan Circle, DuPont Circle), and I grew up knowing them as roundabouts (not sure of the region that represents). (Rotary is a civic organization!) And AGDee is absolutely right -- roly polies -- that's them!

A rotary is definitely a traffic circle in New England. In most places, they're labeled as such.

Originally Posted by pinksequins

What part of the South, AGDee? I truly don't know anyone who calls a shopping cart a buggy. You are still correct on roly-poly! (So it must be the roundabout that planted me in the Southeast.)

Some of my PA friends call a shopping cart a buggy. I call it a carriage

Originally Posted by Sciencewoman

I have a different question. Around here, we have something that is commonly called a "Michigan turn." I've always wondered about this name, because other places must have them, too. AGDee, have you heard this term? Instead of making a left turn, at busy intersections/boulevards, you often have to turn right, then come back around. I googled it, and found articles, images, etc.

I've never heard the term "Michigan turn," but we have a lot of these here in Houston, although, you're still permitted to take the left at the intersection. NJ virtually eliminates the ability to make a left turn at busy intersections and makes use of jughandles to turn in the desired direction. It takes some getting used to, but it's so smart and keeps traffic moving. Since moving to TX, I estimate that I spend at least twice as long sitting at traffic lights than I did in Jersey.

[Sciencewoman]

Originally Posted by ASTalumna06

I've never heard the term "Michigan turn," but we have a lot of these here in Houston, although, you're still permitted to take the left at the intersection. NJ virtually eliminates the ability to make a left turn at busy intersections and makes use of jughandles to turn in the desired direction. It takes some getting used to, but it's so smart and keeps traffic moving. Since moving to TX, I estimate that I spend at least twice as long sitting at traffic lights than I did in Jersey.

We have A and B off/on highways, but not busy streets. I've never seen type B. These jughandles are different than the Michigan turns, which are just on busy boulevard streets, not highways. When those are in place, turning right and coming back around is the only way to turn left. They are very common here.

[pinksequins]

It would be nice for the terms to be identified by region. I agree that it is a roly-poly though I have heard of "doodle bug" (but never had any visual concept of what a doodle bug is.)

[pinksequins]

Okay. Maybe not as popular a word in the Carolinas? My friends and I call them carts.

[sigmagirl2000]

I can't figure out how one could get 3 syllables out of Clemson?

[pinksequins]

LOL! Spot-on on the "p" in Clemson! What I generally hear is an elision creating three syllables: "Cle-em-sun" or Cle-emp-sun". (My pronunciation is the former though I hear the latter a lot!)

Sigmagirl, that's why I think Providence/Worcester/Boston was the bright blue inverse! : )

I think the test pegged me when I had tractor-trailers full of crayfish at a yard sale!

[ASTalumna06]

Originally Posted by pinksequins

Sigmagirl, that's why I think Providence/Worcester/Boston was the bright blue inverse! : )

I think the test pegged me when I had tractor-trailers full of crayfish at a yard sale!

Hey, I would have said the same thing, and I'm from the Providence/Worcester/Boston area.

Although, we would have said "Tractah-trailahs fullah crayfish at a yahd sale!"

[pinksequins]

The eve before Halloween has me intrigued. I never knew it merited its own name. (You could make up any shenanigans about what happens, and I'd believe it).

[pinksequins]

LOL! I guess I need help with the inverse maps. They showed the distinctive word for Providence/Worcester (my inverse) as being "tractor trailer", which I interpreted as not being the term used in P/W. Does it mean instead the word that we have in common?

[sigmagirl2000]

I said tractor trailer and I'm from Springfield/ Worcester/ Boston.

My mom said "sneakers" and that placed her in Yonkers.... (I don't know what else to call them either, I just didn't get that question)

My aunt said "Mischief Night" for the halloween one and that placed her in Newark/ Patterson or something like that. There doesn't seem to be a "Hartford" location as everyone I know from CT got Springfield.

[pinksequins]

I encountered a Type A jughandle on Route 29 north bypass in Lynchburg, VA. It was a bit disconcerting at first, but it did facilitate traffic flow (versus backed up left-turn lanes). Before today, I don't think I would have had a name for the configuration and before travelling 29, I would have ticked the box "Never heard of such a concept". : )

[AnchorAlumna]

I'm between Jackson MS and Montgomery AL...I've never lived in that area but have been in north Alabama most of my life. I think the older you are, the more your accent and word choice is reflected in your education and experiences.

[pinksequins]

Growing up we called those shoes "tennis shoes" (regardless of why you wore them). I thought it was a bit anachronistic, but maybe it's regional useage. (I've even heard some people call them 'tennies"). I've heard "sneakers" used well outside of Yonkers.

[pinksequins]

I am a bit surprised that there wasn't a pancake/flapjack/johnnycake question.