Posted on 08/20/2003 5:48:28 PM PDT by Chi-townChief
1. Grachki (grach'-key) is Chicago for "Garage Key" as in, "Yo, Theresa, waja do wit da grachki? Howmy supposta cut da grass if don't git intada grach?''
2. Uptadaendada (up-ta-da-en'-dada) as in, "Joey, you kin ride yur bike uptadaendada alley but not acrost or I'll bust yur butt..."
3. Sammich. Chicagoese for sandwich. When made with sausage, it's a sassage sammich; with shredded beef, it's an Italian beef sammich, a local delicacy consisting of piles of spicy meat in a perilously soggy bun.
4. Da. The definite article is a key part of Chicago speech, as in "da tree bears" or "da Mare" -- the latter denoting, or as long as he wants it to, Richard M. Daley, or Richie, as he's often known.
5. Jewels. Not family heirlooms or a tender body region, but a popular appellation for one of the region's dominant grocery chains, to wit, "I'm goin' to da Jewels to pick up some sassage." As in most Chicago pluralizations, the "S" is pronounced with a hissing sound, rather than the usual "Z" sound of American pluralization.
6. Field's: Marshall Field, a prominent Chicago department store. Also Carson Pirie Scott, a major department store chain, is called "Carson's," etc.
7. Tree. The number between two and four. "We were lucky dat we only got tree inches of snow da udder night"
8. Prairie. A vacant lot, especially one on which weeds are growing.
9. Over by dere. i.e. "over by there," a prolix way of emphasizing a site presumed familiar to the listener. As in, "I got the sassage at da Jewels down on Kedzie, over by dere.'
10. KaminskiPark. Perhaps the high concentration of ethnic Poles makes people want the White Sox to be playing in this mythical ballpark, rather than in their true home, Cellular Field formerly known as Comiskey Park.
11. Frunchroom as in, "Getottada frunchroom wit dose muddy shoes.'' It's not the "parlor." It's not the "living room." In the land of the bungalow, it's the "frunchroom," a named derived, linguists believe, from "front room."
12. Use. Not the verb but the plural pronoun "you". "Where's use goin'?"
13. Downtown. Anywhere south of the zoo and north of Soldier Field near the lake.
14. BoysTown: A section on Halsted Ave., between Belmont and Addison, which is lined with gay bars on the west and east sides of the street. "Didn't I see uze in Boystown in front of da Manhole?"
15. Braht: Short for Bratwurst. "gimme a braht wit kraut"
16. Cashbox: Traffic reporter slang for tollbooths. "Dere's a delay at da cashbox on da Skyway"
17. Goes: Past or present tense of the verb "say." For example, "Then he goes, 'I like this place'!"
18. Guys: Used when addressing two or more people, regardless of each individual's gender.
19. Pop: A soft drink. Don't say "soda" in this town. "what kinda pop you got?"
20. Sliders: Nickname for hamburgers from White Castle, a popular Midwestern burger chain "Dose sliders I had last night gave me da runs"
21. The Taste: The annual Taste of Chicago Festival, a huge extravaganza in Grant Park featuring samples of Chicagoland's fine cuisine. Takes place around and before the Fourth of July holiday.
22. "Jieetyet": this is used to ask "did you eat yet"?
23. Winter and Construction: Punch-line to the joke, "what are the two seasons in Chicago?"
And what did 'the works' consist of? If you include ketchup then you're not a Chicagoan, you're some kind of foreigner.
True story. Back in the late-50's or very early 60's a young black man came to Daley with a letter from a political sponsor. The letter said that the young man had just completed college in North Carolina, was a bright and exceptionally hard-working individual, and could the mayor use such a person in his administration. Duh Mare's advice was to get involved in the elections, hustle the vote, work the precincts, and maybe there would be a job in it for him. Nothing fancy, tollbooth taker, bus driver, something like that. It's said that the young man, named Jesse Jackson, never forgave Daley for that.
Can't open it; what is it?
"Space Angel" and "Clutch Cargo" and "Suzy Snowflake"? "Family Classics" with Frazier Thomas in that library with the wingbacked leather chair and the hardcover book with the title of the movie embossed on it? Bill Jackson & Cartoon Town (long before Gigglesnort Hotel). Ray Rayner with higher ratings in Chicago than "The Today Show." The Lee Philip Show. Bowery Boys movies on Saturday mornings.
"Let's play two!" "It's going back! Back! Back! Hey! Hey!"
"Hey, hey, holy mackeral! No doubt about it! The Cubs are on their way..."
"Here come the Hawks -- the mighty Black Hawks!"
John Coleman's weather, predicting "thowers and thorms" in the spring and 18" to 24" of snow in the winter. Lake Effect. "Cooler near the lake." Going to O'Hare just to watch the planes take off and land (and eat at the restaurant there). No turnpikes, TOLLWAYS. Harold's Chicken Shack with the Chickenmobile.
That's scary. I remember those ads. Coleman in glasses and an oversized, overstuffed Harris Bank lion.
Bright green relish, celery salt, tomatoes, pickles, onions, mustard and (if you were REALLY adventurous) sport peppers.
Always, always, clout. Mike Royko's "Boss" tells the story better'n no other.
The magnificent voice of Ken Nordine on WBEZ. (Most other's only remember the Levi's commercials - we had him for EVERYTHING)
Steve Dahl and the Disco Demolition riot at Comiskey, where the White Sox had to forfeit the game.
Jane Pauley before she was an insufferable boor for NBC on Channel 5. Bill Kurtis and Walter Jacobsen on Channel 2. Gene Siskel. Gino's East. The Biograph Theater (where Dillinger was shot). Pizzaria Uno & Pizzaria Due (I liked Uno's better). Lou Malnotti's. Carson's Ribs. "End of the line! 63rd & Stoney!" Brookfield Zoo. Santa's Village. Adventureland. The Chicago Amphitheatre.
Damn. When you're right, you're right.
Done by Dick Orkin. On Jerry G. Bishop's radio show.
No way ... that's a southern thing.
"Jeetjet?"
"Nope"
"Yontoo?"
"Aight."
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