YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Regionalisms. Is that even a word?

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Regionalisms. Is that even a word? https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/regionalisms-is-that-even-a-word Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Thu, 09 Apr 2026 15:53:16 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php unfrumped on "Regionalisms. Is that even a word?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/regionalisms-is-that-even-a-word#post-2396819 Wed, 08 Oct 2025 14:16:44 +0000 unfrumped 2396819@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Tennis shoes for me. For all athletic or casual such shoes whether for tennis or anything else. Never a sneaker until YLF, never a fashion sneaker. Then after running and jogging become a thing, maybe running shoes, because of interest in what kind of fits and features. And not the British trainers. Soft drink for sure- “ pop” was a northern term. Purse, yes! I still prefer to say purse. Sofa, not couch. LJP on "Regionalisms. Is that even a word?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/regionalisms-is-that-even-a-word#post-2396814 Wed, 08 Oct 2025 13:00:46 +0000 LJP 2396814@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Oh how could I forget tuque/toque?? A classic Canadianism .  Beanies are those little Navy/sailor caps worn folded above the ear.  And I'll have to remember to lose the second T when mentioning that city ;).  Dee on "Regionalisms. Is that even a word?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/regionalisms-is-that-even-a-word#post-2396811 Wed, 08 Oct 2025 07:42:30 +0000 Dee 2396811@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Fun read, living in Montreal, I use most of the same words as the other Canadians, runners, couch, soft drink or pop, purse or bag, and couch, also tuque for a winter hat. However, here in Quebec, the corner store is referred to as The Dep, its terrasse instead of patio, autoroute instead of highway, frites for french fries. ETA- HELENA- yes, its pronounced ToronO by most Canadians, btw Montreal has a bit of complex about ToronO, hence the hockey rivalry. LJP on "Regionalisms. Is that even a word?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/regionalisms-is-that-even-a-word#post-2396802 Wed, 08 Oct 2025 02:57:13 +0000 LJP 2396802@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ This is great ! Thank you all for your comments DonnaF on "Regionalisms. Is that even a word?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/regionalisms-is-that-even-a-word#post-2396799 Wed, 08 Oct 2025 01:33:51 +0000 DonnaF 2396799@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Zori, not flip flops and kimonO, never ever kimonA — because I am ethically Japanese! Echo on "Regionalisms. Is that even a word?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/regionalisms-is-that-even-a-word#post-2396798 Wed, 08 Oct 2025 01:28:07 +0000 Echo 2396798@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I've lived in a number of places, and some of the regionalisms have stuck. *Drinking fountain: I grew up in the Milwaukee area, and it will always be a bubbler *Soda/pop/soft drinks: Cold drink *Meals: Again, from a different era in the area I grew up (so my parents used these terms), dinner means lunch and supper means the evening meal *Handbags: it was always a purse growing up, but I call them bags now *Traffic circles: People here call them round-abouts, but when I first encountered them, they were rotaries, so that's what I've always called them *Athletic shoes: functional ones are workout shoes, and fashionalbe ones are sneaks *Sofa: I call them sofas, but my mom always used ther term davenport. I never asked why, and I'm not sure she'd know if I asked *Chesterfield: The only association I have with this word is cigarettes Jaime on "Regionalisms. Is that even a word?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/regionalisms-is-that-even-a-word#post-2396792 Tue, 07 Oct 2025 23:29:12 +0000 Jaime 2396792@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Fun! I will just say that in these parts chips is literally the word for what I grew up calling French fries.  Carol on "Regionalisms. Is that even a word?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/regionalisms-is-that-even-a-word#post-2396791 Tue, 07 Oct 2025 23:27:21 +0000 Carol 2396791@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ In my area, a lot of the same! (New Mexico). I wonder if a bunch of Americans sneakily got into Manitoba over the years. Cowboy boots are welcome--as going out wear, day wear, or just one shoe among your many.  The food is the thing that is specific here. Much of it based on Mexican cuisine, but with its own style. One of my favorite things would be the sopapilla, a fry bread that comes with meals the way bread sticks would. But much better!  JAileen on "Regionalisms. Is that even a word?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/regionalisms-is-that-even-a-word#post-2396788 Tue, 07 Oct 2025 22:37:09 +0000 JAileen 2396788@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <div>I find this very interesting.  I’m from California, as were my parents and grandparents.</div> Terms used in our house: couch - my grandmother called her couch a davenport tennis shoes thongs - a friend called them zories.   purse - a wallet goes in the purse sweater  cookie jumper - sleeveless girl’s dress worn with a blouse underneath vest - over a shirt, perhaps under a jacket Here in N Nevada, lots of people wear cowboy boots.  It’s so common that no one gives them a second look.  I call them Western boots.    karen23 on "Regionalisms. Is that even a word?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/regionalisms-is-that-even-a-word#post-2396786 Tue, 07 Oct 2025 21:29:34 +0000 karen23 2396786@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <div>I'm in Wisconsin but I grew up on the east coast.</div><div>Sneakers - I think of that as a generic term for those shoes, since some of them are for tennis or running</div><div>Pants are trousers or jeans, something like that</div><div>Soda</div><div>french fries</div><div>cookies</div><div>flip flops (used to say thong sandals or thongs when I was a kid, but then it started to mean something else)</div><div>sofa or couch, we hear both.  Grandma in Philadelphia used to say davenport - I think that may have been a brand name once.</div><div>We do not see many cowboy boots, but baseball caps are fairly common, including on women.  Keeps the sun out of your eyes while driving.</div> RobinF on "Regionalisms. Is that even a word?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/regionalisms-is-that-even-a-word#post-2396785 Tue, 07 Oct 2025 20:45:36 +0000 RobinF 2396785@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Haha fun exercise! Born in California and lived there until I was 10, then Michigan so I imagine most of what I say comes from Michigan. Tennis shoes Pop for soda sweaters and vests without sleeves french fries flip flops purse couch (I am pretty sure my Grandma said davenport, or maybe my MIL?) Lots of athleisure and baseball caps here, my daughter too who lives in Salt Lake City Swearing gets pretty salty and I notice we all do it more than we used to :) LJP on "Regionalisms. Is that even a word?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/regionalisms-is-that-even-a-word#post-2396781 Tue, 07 Oct 2025 19:30:09 +0000 LJP 2396781@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ AnneR on "Regionalisms. Is that even a word?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/regionalisms-is-that-even-a-word#post-2396780 Tue, 07 Oct 2025 19:10:41 +0000 AnneR 2396780@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ LJP - you are located in the longitudinal center of Canada. The latitudinal center of Canada is up in Nunavut.  I’m from Chicago but my husband is from Winnipeg (St Vital). I learned “runners” instead of sneakers from him. And my FIL still uses chesterfield. Angie on "Regionalisms. Is that even a word?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/regionalisms-is-that-even-a-word#post-2396778 Tue, 07 Oct 2025 18:44:36 +0000 Angie 2396778@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Lise, I FULLY understand you. ;)  YES!!! I also say poloneck and not turtleneck. I don't say takkies or jersey, though!  I've never used those words, personally. I'm not South African. I am Dutch (the Netherlands). Hubs Greg is South African and from Cape Town, (and I lived in Cape Town for a long time - so I get it!) I grew up in Hong Kong when it belonged to Britain, which is why I speak the way I do. Come over for tea and melktert! Star (Lise) on "Regionalisms. Is that even a word?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/regionalisms-is-that-even-a-word#post-2396777 Tue, 07 Oct 2025 18:34:38 +0000 Star (Lise) 2396777@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ My list is the same as ANGIE having gone to school in the same country. But ANGIE don't you say takkies at home to Greg for sneakers? And I would say jersey for jumper/sweater and poloneck for turtleneck. I have adapted for YLF as only Angie would be able to understand me! Angie on "Regionalisms. Is that even a word?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/regionalisms-is-that-even-a-word#post-2396776 Tue, 07 Oct 2025 18:09:43 +0000 Angie 2396776@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ We say "couch" at the Cox Castle! Not sofa. A chesterfield is a TYPE of couch. We had one in lime green back un the '90s.  I speak and write  British English, (grew up in British colonies). I live in the US, where people speak and write American English. I stick to my way of speaking for the most part.  I use pants like everyone else here does - when actually, pants are undies. It got far too tricky with clients!  A vest is also an undergarment - yet, I use it in the US way because it was again, very confusing for clients :)  I say jumper. On YLF, that becomes problematic too!!!!  Chips are crisps.  Cookies are biscuits. Fries are friet. Sodas are soft drinks.  Purses are handbags (a purse is actually a wallet). Faucets are taps. Outlets are sockets. Mail boxes are post boxes. Sneakers are sneakers Flip flops are very different to thong sandals. Flip flops are the rubber beach variety only. Jumpers are pinafores.  Vests are waistcoats, gilets, body warmers, or sleeveless pullovers. I could do this all day!!! :)  We see ball caps - and hats in general - A LOT here. On everyone. Western boots are there too.  Sal on "Regionalisms. Is that even a word?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/regionalisms-is-that-even-a-word#post-2396775 Tue, 07 Oct 2025 18:06:13 +0000 Sal 2396775@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Great thread Lisa. Here we say Fizzy drink not soft drink or soda Sofa or couch- equally Chips for both French fries and crisps Usually jumper or pullover traditionally but maybe sweater now as well Sneakers are all running and casual rubber soles shoes - you might say the brand as well We go on a tramp not a hike We wear jandals not thongs or flip flops Under our shirt we may wear a singlet - but we may also wear one as a sleeveless top - this is also called a tank A buttoned sleeveless jacket is a waistcoat. We rarely use vest. We wear gum boots not rainboots. We swim in our togs not a swimsuit I definitely use sunnies and lippy all the time. Haha! Suz on "Regionalisms. Is that even a word?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/regionalisms-is-that-even-a-word#post-2396773 Tue, 07 Oct 2025 18:00:12 +0000 Suz 2396773@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Irina's right, I think -- people say "bag" far more often now. I would probably say it myself, were I to offer a compliment to someone. Hmmm.  Ginger, that is fascinating about chesterfield! And I also remember that word davenport.  Also, Helena, I am that lonely Torontonian who actually pronounces the second 't". Oh, and because I spent my 20s there, it's still one of the greatest cities in the world in my book!  :)   I also say both 't's in Atlantic -- similarly uncommon.  Kate on "Regionalisms. Is that even a word?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/regionalisms-is-that-even-a-word#post-2396772 Tue, 07 Oct 2025 17:58:46 +0000 Kate 2396772@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Davenport! I haven't heard that one in a long time, Ginger. It was not uncommon to hear that used interchangeably with sofa among people of my parents and grandparents age where I grew up. Chesterfield, on the other hand, was a very specific type of sofa, tightly upholstered, button-back with high sides and back. LJP on "Regionalisms. Is that even a word?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/regionalisms-is-that-even-a-word#post-2396768 Tue, 07 Oct 2025 17:14:43 +0000 LJP 2396768@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I love "bloody hell".  Very proper and what I imagine QE2 saying.    Swearing here is pretty base-level.  Probably because we are such a sports city.  I use the f word in my head (and occasionally aloud to like-minded coworkers) far more often now than I ever did as a young person . Also, I love Simon's and hope that they expand here into Wpg. Irina on "Regionalisms. Is that even a word?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/regionalisms-is-that-even-a-word#post-2396766 Tue, 07 Oct 2025 17:06:22 +0000 Irina 2396766@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I’ve learned English in high school and as an adult here, in Toronto. <div>So, sneakers used to be running shoes, I still find it a bit weird but I like a story behind the name sneakers. </div><div>I went to a new department store yesterday, Simon’s and a young sales assistant complimented me on my bag. I don’t remember anyone saying purse here. </div><div>My own addition to multiculturalism - when I swear, I say “bloody hell”. No one else does. And I don’t know why I do it. . Probably, tv. :)</div> LJP on "Regionalisms. Is that even a word?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/regionalisms-is-that-even-a-word#post-2396765 Tue, 07 Oct 2025 17:04:06 +0000 LJP 2396765@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Suz - yes to the word "chesterfield "- I too used to use it until it started sounding odd and pretentious.  Now I use the word "couch".  And I hear you with finding all Goretex and trail runners all the time a depressing look.  Ginger - it was your comment in the blog post that got me thinking ! Ginger on "Regionalisms. Is that even a word?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/regionalisms-is-that-even-a-word#post-2396764 Tue, 07 Oct 2025 16:49:35 +0000 Ginger 2396764@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Not Canadian, obviously, but I do find this interesting! I'm not going to volunteer a list in addition to my comment in the blog post (since I think it may be a bit solo), but I find this one interesting:   Suz said: Chesterfield is another word that is not (I think?) used in the states? Synonymous with sofa or couch. I forget which, but my mother said HER grandmother called it either a chesterfield, or a davenport. Neither one I've heard in person, but they are older terms. My great-grandmother was from Missouri, and not a farm family. FWIW, I've always grown up with "sofa." "Couch" seems to be the preferred term in American media, though, and I've found it creeping into my own vocabulary. Helena on "Regionalisms. Is that even a word?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/regionalisms-is-that-even-a-word#post-2396763 Tue, 07 Oct 2025 16:20:14 +0000 Helena 2396763@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Pretty much what Suz said for Toronto! Also, no one in Toronto pronounces the second "t", so it sounds like Torono when we say it ... Second t is usually a giveaway someone is from out of town. And Toronto is the only place in Canada where people say Toronto is the best city in Canada lol Even then, it's not common!! I don't know that Toronto fashion has anything particularly unique from other midsized to large cities, except I do think our incredible level of multiculturalism means you see lots of diversity and international influence in style too, which actually IS pretty great Suz on "Regionalisms. Is that even a word?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/regionalisms-is-that-even-a-word#post-2396759 Tue, 07 Oct 2025 15:05:41 +0000 Suz 2396759@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Funny, Lisa! TBH, I'm still not sure, despite having lived on the south coast of BC for many years, that I'm an accurate reporter because I come from Ontario and my parents were Maritimers and many people tell me I talk like a Maritimer despite having grown up outside Toronto. ;) Oh, anohter variable -- my parents were older parents, so I also heard words used differently for that reason -- they were not in tune with the slang of my friends' parents.  We always said runners or running shoes, growing up. Sneakers is US. I use the word now, but (I have to admit) with a slight cringe, because it feels a bit false in my mouth.  We also said soft drinks, not soda. Or as kids, "pop," which. think is also American.  Sweaters for sure, not jumpers.  Chips always meant crisps where I grew up but we said French fries or frites for fries.  Nobody ever said the word lippie or sunnie. Lipstick and sunglasses. But I consider those fashion slang and I was not growing up in a fashion world. ;)  Thongs -- ditto what you said.  Vest was outerwear -- waistcoat or something more.  Purse not handbag. But my husband's mother (Massachusetts) called it a pocketbook and my own mother sometimes referred to it as such.  Chesterfield is another word that is not (I think?) used in the states? Synonymous with sofa or couch.  As for what people are wearing -- I'll stick with Victoria.  You do see ball caps and cowboy boots on women. These are worn for fashion and to a certain extent for practicality. You also see denim skirts of various kinds on people of all faiths or no faith but they are not a super popular item.  I would say the biggest fashion regionalism on BC's south coast is the preponderance of waterproof and water resistant gear on everybody of every age and stage of life. People generally dress more casually here than in the east. They make fewer concessions to fashion and more to the weather. People spend a lot more time outdoors on the whole and dress for it and nobody looks askance. You can wear your Goretex and trail runners to the fanciest restaurants. And lots of people do, and rejoice in this -- people uninterested in fashion love this aspect of the life here.  On one level, I understand this; on another level, it depresses me. Not that people are practical! And not that we are outdoors! Rather, I am depressed at times by the uniformity of the look, and the paucity of practical choices that are equally fashionable. I want practicality and cool fashion at the same time. The holy grail!    LJP on "Regionalisms. Is that even a word?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/regionalisms-is-that-even-a-word#post-2396755 Tue, 07 Oct 2025 14:40:10 +0000 LJP 2396755@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Here in Manitoba - centre of Canada - latitudinally anyways. Prairie landscape and steeped in Indigenous history , Mennonite/Hutterite settlements, and a big urban centre in Winnipeg, where I live.  Canada is a Commonwealth country, but Britishisms in grammar and in terminology aren't common in Manitoba. *runners mean athletic and casual shoes *fashion sneakers seem to cover the rest but is  largely a retail term  *soft drinks , not sodas *sweaters, not jumpers  *no one wears cowboy boots unless you're a farmer in town to do your Costco shop  *denim skirts are worn by religious groups and rural homeschoolers  and thus not by anyone else. Seriously. *you don't see women wearing ball caps - unless for an outdoor activity or to go to the gym; it's not part of a "look" *chips used to mean French fries, until all of a sudden it didn't ; I still occasionally use the word to much confusion  * I have never heard a single person use the words  lippie or sunnie  *thongs used to mean what are now called flip flops until it referred to a style of undergarment ; now we call them flip flops- LOL  *vest is a vest, not an undergarment  *purse, not handbag or bag  And in your area?