Boston Slang

Dictionary
By Laurel Somerville

Introduction
Boston is a
brilliant city – one
with THE best
sports and
culture in the
whole
Commonwealth
of
Massachusetts,
and so much
slang! I’ve
compiled a lovely
dictionary of all of
Boston’s slang,
not ALL this
slang comes
from Boston,
though. If ever
you’re lost in
Boston, just look
up the slang term
you need in my
handy dictionary,
designed to fit in
your pockabook,
carriage, or
whatever. NO
throwing this
valuable holiday
must in the barrel
or you’ll lose the
privilege to meet
me at signings.
So, the lowdown:
If you want to
learn how to
speak like a
native, or are just
looking to grow
your slang
dictionary
collection, this is
for you.
A
Across the river
- What lies on
the other side of
the Charles.
Often tinged
with a
derogatory
connotation:
"He never
amounted to
much; he's a
lawyer across
the river."
Ahnt - Your
uncle's wife.
All set - When
one is done or
ready. "As in
when a waitress
brings your
food and asks
'Now, y'all set?'
or when you're
ready to leave,
'I'm all set tah
go.'
American chop
suey - Has
nothing to do
with Chinese
food (then
again, only in
Boston do
Chinese
restaurants
serve French
rolls): Macaroni
with hamburger,
a little tomato
sauce and a bit
of onion and
green pepper.
Av - An avenue
with a long
official name,
for example,
Mass-av
(instead of
Massachusetts
Avenue) and
Comm-av
(rather than
Commonwealth
Avenue). For
many years, the
Boston Globe
even used "av."
(yes, in
lowercase)
rather than
"Ave.”
A-town -
Arlington, Ma
Ahbs - The
Ahnold
Ahboretum,
which is a
wicked good
place to see
trees. Jo Ann
Kendricken
says it's also "a
wicked pissa
place to have a
kegger on
Friday or
Saturday nights
- especially on
Peetah's Hill."
Allston
Christmas
Labor Day
Weekend or
Aug. 30/Sept. 1
if Labor Day
comes late. The
cornucopia of
stuff, from
appliances to
furniture
magically
appears on
streets across
the
neighbourhood
as people move
out (and in) of
their
apartments:
Although
named for
Allston, it's also
celebrated in
other student-
heavy
neighbourhood
s, such as
Brighton,
Mission Hill, the
Fenway and the
North End.
The Ave - refers
to Dorchester
Avenue, or "Dot
Ave"
B
Bankin - A small
hillside or river
bank: "The best
place to see a
game at Fallon
Field is on the
bankin."
beat - crappy,
unpleasant, or
ugly (e.g.,
"she's beat")
basic - not
unique, pretty,
or special.
bagged -
arrested; "He
got bagged for
a DUI."; (Driving
Under the
Influence)
the balls -
awesome, great
(e.g., "That
concert was the
balls.")
bang - to make
a quick move
(often, "bang a
left"; also used
often as "bang
a U-ey" - make a
U-turn);
sometimes
used
interchangeably
with hang
bang out - call
in sick to work
(It's such a nice
day, maybe I
should bang out
and go to the
beach.)
B’daydas (n.) - a
term of
endearment for
potatoes.
barney - a
Harvard student
or graduate
(used by
working-class
residents of
Somerville). In
the 1980s,
locals called
Harvard Yard
"The Barnyard"
because the
Harvard
students and
their
idiosyncrasies
did not jibe well
with the blue
collars. Harvard
students who
clustered in
Harvard Yard
were called
Barneys; it was
never a
compliment.
barrel - trash
can
biddy -
nickname for a
cheap-looking
girl
blinker - a term
for a directional
(turn signal) in a
car, also called
a blinkah
Bob Hope -
marijuana
bobos - cheap
no-name
sneakers.
bombed -
inebriated
(example: "We
got wicked
bombed last
night!")
booked - took
off quickly ("We
saw the cops
come round the
corner and we
booked it.")
booted - 1. To
be ejected or
removed from a
building or
event. 2. To
have one's car
be
incapacitated
by the
placement of a
lock on one's
front wheel,
usually because
of one's
negligence in
the payment of
parking tickets.
The Boys - the
cops, the police
bozo - a
pothead; used
mostly in South
Boston
bopped -
arrested or
caught by the
police, usually
about drug
possession or
possession of
other forms of
contraband.
More commonly
heard in
Boston’s
northern
suburbs than
elsewhere.
Bluebird - Old-
style Red Line
train.
Boahded -
Exclamation to
confirm a
selection, for
example, when
selecting seats:
" 'I call this
seat.' 'I call that
seat.' 'OK,
boarded.' "
Bobos - Boat
shoes, i.e.,
Keds.
Bomah -
Somebody
who's wicked
smart; a Brain.
At least in
Saugus, that is.
From the Bomar
Brain, one of
the first
affordable
calculators,
which was
made in Acton.
Brahmin -
Boston Brahmin
Basement -
Filene's
Basement, a
department
store in
Downtown
Crossing.
Beacon Hill -
the
Massachusetts
government,
particularly the
State legislature
Beantown -
Boston to
tourists, never
used by
Bostonians, to
Bostonians it’s
the Hub.
Benny Hill
Community
College - Refers
to Bunker Hill
Community
College located
in Charlestown,
Boston
Boogie-town -
Derogatory term
for the city of
Brockton, about
its large
minority
population.
Also called
Brown-town.
Boogie down to
Brown-town.
Big Dig - the
Central Artery
Tunnel Project
The Big Hole -
refers to the
Central Artery
Project (The Big
Dig) when all
construction
was on
standby; so in
short, see also:
Big Dig, Big Pig
above & below.
Big Pig - The
cost of the
Central Artery
Tunnel Project
is
approximately
15 billion
dollars
Blingham -
Hingham,
Boston
"Bls"- Boston
Latin School
Blue Line - one
of the four (or
five if you
include or count
the silver line) T
subway lines,
the Blue Line
starts at
Bowdoin and
ends at
Wonderland. It
is also used as
derogatory
slang for
example "This
cup of coffee
tastes like the
Blue Line" or
"Hey Tommy,
your girlfriend
smells like the
Blue Line".
The Bob Loboat
- The Boston
Harbor Island
Ferry that docks
in Rowes Wharf
Bricka -
Referring to the
town of Billerica
(Alternatively:
"Somerville
with trees")
Burly -
Nickname for
the town of
Burlington used
by locals.
Bury - The
Roxbury
section of
Boston, or the
"Berry".
The Dirty Burg -
Fitchburg
broad - a
derogatory term
for a woman.
brownie -
somebody with
a high tolerance
for cold
temperatures. It
refers to L
Street
Brownies, a
group famous
for swimming in
frigid ocean
waters during
the wintertime
based at the L
Street
Bathhouse in
South Boston
breakdown lane
- right margin or
shoulder on
highways used
for broken
down vehicles.
Vehicles are
allowed to drive
in the
breakdown lane
at certain hours
on some
Massachusetts
highways.
Bostonian: A
person from
Boston.
bubbler - the
Boston- and
Wisconsin-
specific word
for a water
fountain or
water cooler.
bulkhead -
outdoor
entrance to the
basement/cellar
.
bureau -
dresser or chest
of drawers
Basement - A
school
restroom, at
least in the
Stoughton area.
Pete Costello
recalls: "The
lavatories in all
the schools I
went to grades
1-12 were called
'the basement,'
even if they
were not on the
lowest floor of
the school."
Bazo - Drunk, at
least in Southie.
Boss a tonic - a
two-litre bottle
of tonic.
Boxball - The
game is similar
to punchball,
except the ball
had to first
bounce in the
"infield." Played
with "pinkies"
or "pimple
balls" - soft,
small, white
balls.
Bucka - A
Charlestown
term for a
stupid person;
comes from
"bucket head."
Budge - To
steal: "I budged
a bag of chips
from the store."
Bug - A druggie,
at least in
Weymouth.
Bulkie roll -A
soft, fluffy roll,
you know, like a
Kaiser roll. Only
in Boston are
they sometimes
served at
Chinese
restaurants.
Bullshit -
Adjective
meaning "very
upset," as in:
"So, I was
running to
catch the T, and
the driver
closed the door
on me and
drove away. I
was so mad - I
was bullshit."
Bundle -
Grocery bag.
Bury, the -
Roxbury.
Brar
Female
undergarment.
"I have to buy a
new brar, the
straps on this
one have had
it".
C
Cabbage Night -
In the western
suburbs, the
night before
Halloween and
a time for
throwing
cabbages, eggs
and the like.
carriage - a
baby stroller, or
a shopping cart
cellar - the
basement of a
house
Charlestown
briefcase - a
twelve-pack of
beer
chowderhead
(sometimes
chowdahead) -
often, a New
Englander, at
one time meant
a person to
laugh at or a
stupid person
but has evolved
to be a lighter
term that has
been embraced
by those to
whom it refers.
chucklehead - A
local idiot
The Cape -
Cape Cod, the
“Boot of
Massachusetts”
, which is a
hook in truth.
Cha-Chingham -
Hingham, Ma
"Chelsalvador"-
the town of
Chelsea about
its large El
Salvadoran
population
The Chuck- The
Charles River
Cool kid -
Obnoxious,
rude and
generally not
wanted person
(especially at a
kegga), at least
in Acton: "Who
invited the cool
kid?"
Corrupt Midget -
Former state
Senate
President (and
former
University of
Massachusetts
president)
William Bulger.
George Daher,
chief justice of
the Boston
Housing Court,
hurled the
epithet after
Bulger cut
funding for the
court in
retaliation for
Daher's refusal
to hire a Bulger
crony. Herald
columnist
Howie Carr
picked it up and
then, in typical
Carresque
fashion, used it
to death
(sometimes
substituting a
simple "CM").
ChuckTown -
refers to
Charlestown.
(A.K.A) C-Town.
Chucky's Place
-refers to the
Suffolk County
Jail which was
formerly located
on Charles St.
"The Cheddar" -
Winchester,
Mass. Used by
people from
Winchester
City of Sin -
Lynn,
Massachusetts,
the rhyme
"Lynn, Lynn,
city of sin, you
never come out
the way you
went in." Refers
to the City's
criminal
reputation.
Clambodia -
Slang term for
the town of
Ipswich,
Massachusetts,
a reference to
their famous
Ipswich Clams.
Comm
Ave/Comm-av -
Commonwealth
Avenue, DUH!
Common -
referring to
Boston
Common.
Dating from
1634, it is the
oldest city park
in the United
States.
Combat Zone -
the red-light
district of
Boston that
used to exist
between
Downtown
Crossing and
Chinatown, now
refurbished
Cow Hampshire
- a somewhat
derogatory term
for New
Hampshire,
referring to the
perceived
abundance of
cows, can also
be used to
represent any
rural area in
New England
that is not
necessarily in
New Hampshire.
Cumby's/
Cumbie's -
refers to the
convenience
store chain
Cumberland
Farms
Crack Street -
Lowell, a
euphemism for
Lowell's Acre
and Lower
Highlands
neighbourhood
s, referring to
the HBO
documentary
"High on Crack
Street" which
focused on the
lives of those
addicted to
crack cocaine in
the economic
downturn
experienced by
former
industrial
centres in the
later 1980s and
early 1990s.
This is not used
affectionately
by Lowell
locals.
Cracking -
Game of verbal
insults;
Boston's
version of "the
dozens."
Cuber - Island is
south of
Florida; the
capital is
Havanner.
Curse of the
Bambino -
Lame-ass
taunts formerly
hurled by
Yankees fans at
the Red Sox
whenever they
played in New
York. Four
words: Two.
Thousand. And.
Four.
It was the
alleged reason
for why the Red
Sox hadn't won
a World Series
since 1918 - the
year before they
sold Babe
Ruth's contract
to the Yankees
(so then Sox
owner Harry
Frazee could
finance the play
"No, No
Nanette" on
Broadway). It
could have
been worse: We
could have had
an even
stupider curse
like the billy-
goat thing and
the Cubs.
Cyclops - The
old-fashioned,
two-toned
trolleys with
one large
headlight that
run on the
Mattapan high-
speed line.
clicker, or
"clickah" - TV
remote
cruiser - a
police car, or a
Ford Crown
Victoria.
Coogans (n.) -
where you get
dollar drafts.
The C's - The
Boston Celtics,
only the best
basketball team
in the known
world!
The Charles (n.)
- The Charles
River, is no
longer flowing
with its
infamous “dirty
water” ... but
you should still
probably close
your mouth
ASAP if you
ever fall in.
D
decked - adj.,
dressed nicely
("decked out");
past tense verb,
punched (not
Boston-
specific)
D-we - a D.W.I.
(Driving While
Intoxicated),
changed to
D.U.I. (Driving
Under the
Influence)
"Yeah, I got
bagged by the
boys last night
for a D-we).
More commonly
referred to as
"dewey".
directional -
(noun.) turn
signal (also, a "
blinkah.")
docksiders
(pronounced
"docksidahs") -
noun, brown
boat shoes
down-cellar
(pronounced
"down sullah") -
adj., contraction
of "down in the
cellar", refers to
being located in
the basement
d-tech - an
undercover
police car
Dungarees -
denim pants
The Dot -
Dorchester,
Boston
Dot -
Dorchester,
Boston – see
above
Dot Ave -
Dorchester
Avenue
Dot Rat -
Dorchester,
Boston - A
native of
Dorchester who
can't escape.
Deluxe-bury -
Duxbury,
Boston, affluent
south shore
town. Part of
the Irish Riviera.
Dirty-E - noun.,
Everett,
Massachusetts
‘’Dirty Wu’’ -
noun., Woburn,
Massachusetts
"Dirty Ham" -
noun
Framingham,
Boston
The Dirty Rick -
Billerica MA
Down East - A
section of the
Maine coast
that is north of
Boston
down the Cape -
Referring to
going to or
being on Cape
Cod.
down-Cape -
Term used on
Cape Cod
meaning
eastward, in the
direction of the
Lower Cape.
Dollar Drafts
(n.): see
Coogans.
Dewey - Dwight
Evans, former
Right Fielder for
the Red Sox
who won eight
Gold Gloves.
Dunks, Dunkin’,
Dunkies -
Dunkin' Donuts,
aka the 99
Restaurants of
coffee
locations.
E
elastic - rubber
band
Eastie - East
Boston (Used
almost
exclusively by
people from
East Boston)
The E - the
predominantly
Irish
neighbourhood
of East Milton.
"EC"- East
Cambridge
Egg rolls -
Large, fluffy
rolls, a.k.a.
Kaiser rolls
Espo – Phil
Esposito, one of
the greatest
Bruins of the
“Classic era”,
as I like to call it
F
Fall River
tuxedo - a
sports jacket
over a hooded
sweatshirt
The Fair - old-
fashioned
agricultural fair
held in
Topsfield every
fall since 1808.
It is the oldest
agricultural fair
in the United
States.
"The Fairy
Ferry" - the fast
ferry between
Boston and
Provincetown,
MA also called
"P Town." The
word "fairy"
here is used in
a derogatory
sense, as a
reference to
Provincetown's
large LGBTQ+
population.
the flat of the
Hill - the portion
of Beacon Hill
between
Charles Street
and Storrow
Drive
for days
(pronounced
"fuh days") - an
excessive
amount or
lasting forever
(i.e., "This
traffic goes on
for days." "I
went out
drinkin' last
night and slept
for days.")
field day - a
situation in
which the
involved
participants are
taking
advantage of
having an
energetic time
(i.e., "I dropped
a five dollar bill,
and the bums
had a field
day.")
The Five and
Ten or the
Nickel and
Dime- a 19th-
and 20th-
century store
that sold small
items for the
home,
sometimes
including
clothing,
originally at
prices of 5 or 10
cents; known
elsewhere as
"the dimestore".
Two examples
remain in
Arlington: one
in East
Arlington and
the other in
"The Heights".
One exists in
Cushing
Square,
Belmont.
flurries - small
snow showers
force - an
excess of
something, i.e.,
“That snow last
night was a
force.” It can
also be used as
a verb, when
somebody does
something too
much or tries
too hard, i.e.
“You forced it
trying to
impress that
chick last night,
and ended up
looking like an
idiot”
frappe [pron.
frap] - what
some might
erroneously
refer to as a
"milkshake";
the term
milkshake has a
separate use
(see below)
frickin - Another
term for friggin'
or freaking,
similarly, used
in place of the
swear word
f*ckin'. As in
"That game was
wicked frickin'
pissah!"
G
gagga - a large
line of cocaine
Going to
Chelsea - When
something is
crooked or
gone awry.
"Buddy,
straighten yah
hat. It's goin'
tuh Chelsea."
good shit - An
agreeable, non-
threatening
person. "I've
got no problem
with Mikey, he's
a good shit."
grinder - a
"submarine" or
"hoagie"
sandwich
gump - an
outdated term
for dunce or
nitwit. "What a
gump that guy
is!"
gawker blocker
(plural gawker
blockers) -
somebody who
you're driving
down the
highway, there's
an accident, or
some cop
pulled someone
over and you’re
slowing down
but everyone
else is slowing
down, so in
short, gaper’s
block.
(The) Garden - a
reference to the
Boston Garden
or the TD
Garden, home
of the Boston
Celtics and the
Boston Bruins,
and formerly
the Boston
Blazers of the
NLL
The Gas Tank -
A large, painted
gas storage
tank in
Dorchester
along Rt. 93.
Gloxbury,
Glocksbury, or
Robbury -
Derogatory term
for Roxbury,
Boston
Greastie -
Derogatory term
for East Boston,
referring to its
Italian and
Latino
population
Greenie - Irish
worker of the
present who is
in the U.S.
illegally. This is
interesting
because it
refers to the
worker as Irish,
i.e., "green" and
new to the area
i.e., "green" but
also references
their
immigration
status
ironically. A
documented
permanent
resident non-
citizen worker
in the U.S.
would have a
green card visa,
which these
folks lack.
H
Hamster, Mass -
anagrammatic
nickname of
Amherst,
Massachusetts.
"ZooMass
Hamster"
(UMass
Amherst, duh)
is a university
campus there.
Han Francisco -
A nickname for
Hanover,
mocking names
like "Marsh
Vegas"
The Heights -
Usually refers
to Chestnut Hill,
the main
campus of
Boston College.
Also short for
Arlington
Heights, an area
on the west side
of Arlington.
Might be used
in a sentence
like: "I'll meet
you at
Brigham's, up
the Heights." It
can also refer to
an area in North
Medford. Can
also be used for
the Orient
Heights section
of East Boston.
The Hill -
Beacon Hill,
Mission Hill or
Winter Hill in
Somerville.
The Hub -
Boston;
shortened from
Oliver Wendell
Holmes, Sr.'s
phrase The Hub
of the Solar
System (often
misremembered
as Universe)
(seldom used in
conversation,
but seen often
in writing and
advertisements,
e.g., in the
Boston Globe)
hardo -
someone who is
trying too hard,
often
pronounced
"Hahdo."
Another name
for a try-hard.
"Kehd got an A
on his paper.
Kid's a hahdo"
hoodie - slang
term for a
hooded
sweatshirt
hoodsie (1) - A
small cup of
vanilla and
chocolate ice
cream from the
HP Hood
Company.
Eaten with a
thin wooden
spoon that
comes with the
Hoodsie. Also
called a
Hoodsie cup
hoodsie (2) - In
neighbourhood
s such as South
Boston and
Dorchester, it
refers to a
precocious
minor female
who tries to
appear older or
wants to date
older teenage
boys or young
men. The term
is considered
derogatory:
"He'll get
bagged if he
keeps dating
that hoodsie."
One popular
explanation
says that the
expression
comes from the
idea that the
small cup a
Hoodsie ice
cream treat
comes in is the
same size as
the bra cup of a
hoodsie. A
second popular,
but more off-
colour
explanation
refers to HP
Hood's one-time
advertising
slogan for the
Hoodsie ice
cream treat:
"Short and
sweet and good
to eat."
different view -
Hoodsie would
also have the
connotation of a
young teen-age
girl that sits on
the hood of a
car, either to
look cool to her
friends, or
portray herself
as being older
and
sophisticated
because she's
'sitting on the
hood of a car'.
hopper - the
toilet, in
particular when
used to take a
dump
(pronounced
"hoppah").
hosies - claim
of first right,
used in the
same way as
"dibs." For
example, "I got
hosies on the
front seat."
Hummer - Oral
Gratification.
The Hub (n.) -
haven’t you
noticed; that
Boston is the
center of the
universe? (p.s.,
we never say
Beantown,
that’s lazy
tourists!)
I
icebox or fridge
- a refrigerator
the Irish Riviera
- the South
Shore coastal
suburbs to the
southeast of
Boston such as
Hingham,
Braintree,
Weymouth, and
especially
Marshfield (see
"Marsh Vegas"),
Squantum, and
Scituate.
igit - short for
idiot (e.g.,
"Dude, you're a
freakin' igit,
kid.")
Irish battleship -
a three-story,
three-family
house. See
also: Triple-
decker
I could care less
(int.): how we
like to say that
we couldn’t
care less about
something.
In town (n.): we
refuse to refer
to the City of
Boston as a
city.
J
jeekehs -
Central
Massachusetts
variant of
"jeepers," often
paired with
"Golly" as in "I
tohl' 'em, I sez
Golly Jeekahs
ya cah's on fi-
ya!"
Jordans -
Jordan Marsh
and Company, a
hugely popular
chain of
department
stores bought
out by Macy's.
"I'm goin'
shopping up
Jordans."
Jamaica Spain -
The Jamaica
Plain area in
Boston, so
named because
of its large
Spanish-
speaking
population
The Jetties -
refers to Jetties
Beach in
Nantucket
JP - Jamaica
Plain. Also
known as the
JP.
Jumbo -
nickname for a
student at Tufts
University after
their mascot
"Jumbo" the
elephant.
Especially
someone on the
Tufts athletic
team. "Dumbo"
is the
derogatory
version of this
name- someone
who pulled
strings to get
into the school
or admission by
athletics.
jimmies -
sprinkles (on
ice cream);
sometimes,
specifically
chocolate
sprinkles (also
common to
Philadelphia)
K
ked or kid - a
younger
person,
adolescent, or a
term of
endearment to a
friend ("What's
up kid?" or as
said in Boston
"Whatup kid?")
L
lace curtain
Irish - a person
of Irish descent
who is moving
up the social
ladder; ("After
they moved to
the Point, they
became lace
curtain Irish.")
Let's go,
Southie, let's
go! - a rallying
cry for South
Boston High
School, used by
anti-integration
activists during
the Boston
busing crisis
light dawns on
Marblehead -
used when a
dense person
finally realizes
something.
Also, any
variation, such
as "Dawn
breaks on
Marblehead."
"Lex Vegas" -
nickname for
the town of
Lexington.
Lil B Town -
nickname for
Burlington,
Massachusetts
"Lynn, Lynn,
the city of sin" -
partial rhyme
describing the
city of Lynn, MA
M
ma - mother
Mint - is a fun
Boston slang
that’s not
strictly Boston
only, but if
someone tells
you something
is mint, that
means it is
excellent… This
is a glowing
review!
mad - very (As
in "mad cool").
See "wicked"
Masshole - a
derogatory term
for any resident
of
Massachusetts,
especially of
Boston drivers
(popular in New
Hampshire and
Maine), on par
with Maine-iac,
now sometimes
worn as a
badge of
honour by life-
long residents
of the state,
especially when
visiting
Northern New
England.
mreet -
originated in
Maynard, MA in
the 1970s it first
started by
calling
someone a
meatball, then it
turned into
meatball to just
mreet. It is used
when someone
does something
stupid. It is also
used as a
greeting to
other
Maynardians to
say hi.
mum - mom
Maine-iac - a
derogatory term
for Maine driver
or resident, on
par with
Masshole; in
Maine, this is
also used to
refer to a
member of the
Maine National
Guard. A title
born with pride
by the natives,
like Floridians.
Man's Greatest
Hospital -
Massachusetts
General
Hospital
(alternatively,
the medical-
industrial
complex)
Marsh Vegas -
Also known as
Marshfield.
Mass Ave -
Massachusetts
Avenue, duh. A
prominent
thoroughfare
running from
the South End
of Boston
through
Cambridge,
Arlington and
Lexington
Massatoilet
Community
College -refers
to Massasoit
Community
College located
in Brockton, MA
Meffa - Medford,
Massachusetts;
an exaggerated
pronunciation
of the way the
city's name is
supposed to
sound when it's
pronounced by
its residents;
even though no
one in
Medford's
history has ever
pronounced it
that way, people
living in Greater
Boston will
refer to the city
by that name.
Medford, which
is next to
Boston, has a
very thick
distinct accent
and residents
generally
pronounce it
"Med-fid" or
"Mef-fid".
Menots -
Menotomy
Rocks Park in
Arlington, MA
Methadone Mile
- A stretch of
Massachusetts
Avenue in the
neighbourhood
of the South
End, renowned
for its high
concentration
of methadone
clinics and
being rife with
opioid
addiction.
Mingya Valley -
Methuen, MA
(heart) but
including parts
of Lawrence,
Lowell, North
Andover and
any section of
the Merrimack
Valley generally
in which there
are large
numbers of
Italian-
Americans, who
labour as
stonemasons,
deli workers,
and bakers.
Named after a
common
expression in
the region like
the exclamatory
phrase
"Wowzah!"
used in
Massachusetts
at large -
"Mingya!" i.e.,
"Aye, this pizza
pie is delic'!
Mingya!" Heard
at places such
as Piro's
Bakery,
Borrelli's Deli,
and The Loop.
The Monster, or
The Monstah -
Fenway Park's
37-foot left field
wall, also
known as The
Green Monster,
from which
Wally the Green
Monster’s name
stemmed.
The Mother
Church - The
First Church of
Christ, Scientist
in Boston, both
the actual
building in the
Back Bay and,
among
Christian
Scientists, the
church
institution
headquartered
there.
Murderpan - a
derogatory
name for
Mattapan, MA
Mush -
essentially the
equivalent of
"dude" in
Newton, MA.
Pronounced
/mʊʃ/.
Mumbles -
Long-time
Boston mayor
Thomas
Menino, is
known for his
malapropisms,
especially when
trying to
pronounce the
names of star
athletes
N
New B or New
Beige - New
Bedford
The Nines - The
99 Restaurants,
one of which
can be found in
just about every
reputable
suburb of
Boston.
Nawth - North.
A location
above
Massachusetts.
“My friend in
Flawrida keeps
askin' how I live
up nawth in
winta. I says to
him, Bawstin
ain't nawth, it's
east! New
Hampsha's up
nawth.”
North Shore - A
region north of
Boston of
disputed
boundaries,
often including
seaside
communities
from Revere up
to the beginning
of Cape Ann in
Manchester, but
also including
nearby inland
towns or towns
connected to
the sea only by
token inlets or
rivers, such as
Peabody,
Saugus,
Lynnfield,
Topsfield,
Danvers,
Newburyport,
and Amesbury.
Sometimes
considered to
omit
Marblehead.
Other
definitions
include the
entire coast to
the New
Hampshire
border, and still
others the
entirety of
northern Essex
County.
North Shore
Coma College -
Slang term for
North Shore
Community
College Located
in Danvers,
Beverly, and
Lynn,
Massachusetts
New Yawk (New
York): "The
ahmpit of
America." 240
Miles South of
Tremont Street
New Hampshire
(New
Hampshire): A
large campsite
up north of
Boston, also
known as New
Hampster
New Hampster -
see above
No suh! [No sir,
compare "no
sirree"] - "No
way!". The
appropriate
response is "Ya
suh!" OR "Ya
huh"
Necco wafers- a
Boston-made
candy, rarely
found in stores
anymore
Nor'easter - a
strong winter
storm with
winds
emanating from
the northeast. A
bad Northeaster
is like a winter
hurricane
O
Off the boat -
used to
describe a
European
immigrant,
usually from
Ireland.
Olly-Olly
Oxenfree- a
proclamation to
players of "Tag"
or "Hide-n-
Seek", that they
may return to a
common area
free of
consequence as
it may pertain to
the game being
[phonetically
reduced version
of the original
"All ye, all ye,
all come free."]
Only in Maynard
- a saying that
later became a
product line
containing the
words ONLY IN
MAYNARD.
They were
deliberately
printed so that
the right side
was noticeably
higher than the
left. My best
guess is the
wording was
askew to
convey that
negative, rueful
pride that only
in Maynard
could things
(town things,
school things,
people things...)
be so
humorously
incompetent or
fouled up.
Off-Cape -
anything off of
Cape Cod (to
Cape Cod
locals).
The Orange
Dinosaur - A big
orange
dinosaur on Rt.
1 Saugus, part
of a mini-golf
course and
batting cages.
on (dead) dogs -
when one
makes a
statement that
they swear to
God is true.
Oah - Robert G.
Orr, the greatest
Bawstin Broon
of his era!

P
P-town -
Provincetown,
Massachusetts,
which is
situated on the
very tip of Cape
Cod
The Pan - refers
to Mattapan
the People's
Republic -
Cambridge
(alternatively,
seven square
miles
surrounded by
reality) refers to
Cambridge’s
reputation as a
centre of left-
wing politics in
New England
and the leftist
tendencies of
its people.
Pesky's Pole -
the right field
foul pole in
Fenway Park,
named after
Red Sox
infielder Johnny
Pesky.
The Pike - the
Massachusetts
Turnpike, also
the Mass Pike
Pickle Park -
Haverhill, A now
closed-off
parking area
along the
Merrimack River
on State Route
110 in Haverhill,
near the
Methuen line
where pre-
arranged sexual
encounters
were known to
take place.
"Watch out
sitting out there
and casting a
line, someone's
bound to think
you're looking
to give or take
some pickle
there in Pickle
Park."
The Point - the
City Point area
of South
Boston. The
term is also
used for
Jefferies Point
in Eastie / East
Boston. This
also refers to
the Point
Shirley section
of Winthrop,
MA. In contrast,
"The Point" is
also a rather
poor and seedy
neighbourhood
in Salem, MA.
Ponsta - a
person who
plays video
games
excessively.
PooMass - a
derogatory term
for the
University of
Massachusetts,
usually used by
UMass students
themselves to
insult other
UMass
campuses, or
their own when
it suits them.
This term gets
thrown around
a lot between
students of
UMass Amherst
and UMass
Lowell, the two
biggest and
highest-funded
UMass
campuses.
Lowell students
call Amherst
“PooMass
Hamster”, and
Amherst
students call
Lowell
“PooMass
Blowell.” Other
less common
variations
include
“PooMass
Fartmouth”
(Dartmouth) and
“Costin”
(Boston,
referring to its
high cost and a
persistent
housing
shortage that
forces students
to rent in the
city), and
“Who? -ster”
(Worcester, the
smallest
campus)
The Pru or The
Prud - The
Prudential
Center
Pats - the New
England
Patriots, only
the best football
team in the
Northeast.
Patsies - the
New England
Patriots in the
lean years
Pasta - none
other than
David “Pasta”
Pastrnak, one of
the greatest
players of Team
McDavid in the
2024 NHL All-
Star game.
packie (also
packet, package
store or booze
barn) - a liquor
store.
Massachusetts
law requires
alcohol to be
sold in a sealed
package,
leading to the
term “package
store” which is
eventually
shortened to
“packie.” Not to
be confused
with “Paki,” an
ethnic slur used
in the UK
against persons
of South Asian
descent.
parlour - the
living room in a
house
parish -
designation of a
neighbourhood
based on
Catholic
Churches, as in
"What parish
are you from?"
Peking ravioli -
fried Chinese
potstickers/dum
plings
Perchead - a
Percocet abuser
Parlour: Living
room, or a
beauty parlour
piazza - the
porch on a
triple-decker
house
(Merrimack
Valley).
pissa(h) (1) -
good: "You hit
the Lottery?
That's pissa
man."
pissa(h)! (2) -
used to
accentuate an
unfortunate
moment. "My
friggin khaki's
(car keys) fell
down da catch
basin (storm
drain), pissah
ain't it".
pissa(h) (3) -
used to
describe a
(friend or
acquaintance)
who is eccentric
"Did ya hear
what Johnny
said/did....
g'dam pissa
ain't he"
pizza pillows -
pizza rolls
pockabook -
purse
(pocketbook)
Portuguese
tuxedo or New
Bedford tuxedo
- a premium
soccer warm-up
suit under a
sports jacket.
Q
"The Q" -
Quincy,
Massachusetts
R
The Rattler - the
subway,
standardly
referred to as
"The T" in the
greater Boston
area.
regular/regulah
- a coffee order
at Dunkies/any
coffee place
that means 'with
three creams
and three
sugars.' "I'll
take a lahge
regulah."
ripper - a
kegger or a big,
wild party
ripped - very
angry, i.e., “Joe
got wicked
ripped when he
found out the
packie ran out
of liquah”
road soda - a
beer you drink
while driving
around. Also
known as a
"roadie". "Dude,
I grabbed a
couple of
roadies for the
ride to the bah."
rotary - what
would be known
as a traffic
circle or a
roundabout
elsewhere
rubbish - Trash,
garbage, refuse
The Res
(pronounced
rez) - Short for
the reservoir
(municipal
reservoir of
whatever town
you are in).
The river - the
Charles River
Rocketown -
nickname for
the town of
Reading,
referring to the
rocket mascot,
which is named
for a pair of
water towers
located near the
town's high
school -- one of
which is oval,
as in a 1950s
depiction of a
flying saucer,
and one of
which is
pointed to give
the appearance
of a flying
saucer and
rocket standing
side-by-side.
The towers
were featured
as
anthropomorphi
c characters in
the Daily Times
Chronicle's
long-running
political
editorial
cartoon series
from the 1970s-
90s.
Rossie, Rozzie -
Roslindale
Route 9 High -
Massachusetts
Bay Community
College in
Wellesley. The
campus is on or
near Route 9.
Reefer Tech -
Otherwise
known as the
Joseph P. Keefe
Technical
School located
in Framingham.
Popular in the
mid-1970s
through the
early 1980s.
S
screw - "to take
off" or "get out
of here,” i.e., a
cop might say
to teenagers
hanging out on
a street corner,
“Hey you kids,
screw!”
Scully - a
driving cap, flat
cap, or ivy cap
that has a snap-
button front;
often
pronounced as
"scahlly."
Space saver: An
object —
usually a
household item,
sign or
something
peculiar —
that’s used to
claim a parking
spot you've
shovelled out
after a
snowstorm.
This is a city
tradition that's
done to prevent
anyone else
from parking
there after you
have done all
that work.
I'm sheets -
tired, ready for
bed. Bedford,
Mass
shanty Irish - a
poor or
working-class
person of Irish
descent.
shiesty - A term
meaning
someone, or
something is
shady or
sketchy. "Those
kids standing
on the corner
are wicked
shiesty." Or
"The food here
looks wicked
shiesty"
The shit-
something or
someone
awesome
sick (nasty) -
amazing, or
awesome
skeezer - a drug
addict; typically
used about a
"druggie slut."
#Also see
"slampig"#
skeeze - a
person of
questionable
personal
reputation
considered to
exhibit a lack of
discernment in
intimate
encounters and
thereby
considered to
have a high
potential for
being afflicted
with a
communicable
social disease.
skid - a loser or
lowlife. "His
brother is a real
skid."
skidder -
someone who
bums (borrows)
money from
friends.
Pronounced
"skiddah"
slampig - a
skank, overly
slutty female, a
"Sled Dog",
equivalent to a
whore or slut.
"That chick's
been a
slampig."
slush - is an icy
Boston area
treat.... like
Italian ice...
popular
flavours are
lemon and blue
vanilla
smuck - is
lopsided;
usually used by
children to
describe
uneven teams:
"These teams
are smuck."
Can also be
used as a verb:
"We smucked
'em." Mostly
used on the
North Shore.
So don't I - "So
do I" or "Me,
too". (Person A:
"I like the Red
Sox." Person B,
agreeing: "So
don't I.")
spa - a
neighbourhood
shop that sells
groceries, soda
fountain drinks,
sandwiches, or
other prepared
food and
miscellaneous
notions. Spas of
this sort include
the Hillside Spa
Cardoza
Brothers, on
Hancock Street,
the Thurston's
Spa aka
"Johnnies" in
Somerville,
Lenny's Spa in
East Boston,
MA, Winship
Spa, Faneuil
Spa or the
former Palace
Spa known to
locals as Mac's
in Brighton.
spastic -
emotional
outburst
involving what
appears to be
uncontrolled
waving of the
arms, legs and
head.
spaz - one who
is exceptionally
athletically
uncoordinated.
spinner
(pronounced
"spinnah") - A
petite hot young
woman.
spuckie or
spukie - a
submarine
sandwich or
grinder; its
name comes
from the bread
it was made
with
(spuccadella).
Space-saver
(n.): any large
household
object (i.e. a
lawn chair, a
barrel) used
after a winter
storm to
prevent anyone
from taking
your
painstakingly
shovelled, on-
street parking
spot.
Sticker (n.) - a
state inspection
sticker for your
car that you
must renew on
the same month
every year, lest
you get pulled
over by a Statie;
pronounced
“stick-ah.”
stackjack - a
short, broad-
chested male
with a short
haircut.
statie -
Massachusetts
State Police
Trooper; also
called a trooper,
pronounced
troopah
Sox also The
Sox - the
Boston Red
Sox, only the
best MLB team
in the world~
Sway - Jeremy
“Bulldog/Sway”
Swayman, one
of the best
Bruins of the
“classic-new
era”
Street Number -
a numbers
lottery game
which once had
a racist name.
In decline, after
the state lottery
introduced a
daily numbers
game, the street
number was
originally the
result of mutual
payoffs from
certain horse
races at Suffolk,
Narragansett or
Lincoln parks
which were
once
shamelessly
published on
the front page
of the city's
afternoon
dailies. Later
revised to the
last digits
supper - the
third meal of the
day.
Storrowed/
storrowing -
Typically, an
annual
spectacle
during the city's
unofficial move-
in day (Sept. 1),
where someone
crashes a too-
tall moving
truck into a
bridge or
overpass on
Storrow Drive.
(It can also
happen on
Soldiers Field
Road in Boston
and Memorial
Drive in
Cambridge).
The incidents
usually cause
costly damage
and traffic jams.
The state even
made a PSA
about it. Be
sure to read the
height limits
and warning
signs on the
roadways so
you don't get
'storrowed.'
Salt and Pepper
Bridge - the
Longfellow
Bridge, crosses
the Charles
River between
Boston and
Cambridge,
named because
the towers on
the bridge
resemble salt
and pepper
shakers.
Severe - A term
used when
referring to the
town of Revere
Slummerville -
A derogatory
term for
Somerville,
referring to its
working-class
population and
reputation for
crime. Also,
Scummerville.
Smells 'n' Bells
- The Church of
the Advent, an
Anglo-Catholic
parish on
Beacon Hill
noted for its
high church
liturgy
Smithie - A
student at
Smith College
in Northampton,
MA
Snooten - The
town of Newton,
referring to the
snobby
inhabitants
SoBro - South
Brookline. Used
as a term of
pride by
teenage
residents of the
area.
Southie - South
Boston; also
used for
residents of the
area
Southie - South
Boston - see
above
SoWa - An area
of Boston's
South End east
of Washington
Street. A term
created by the
real estate
industry and
not used by
locals.
The Square -
Harvard Square
Stab 'n’ Kill - A
derogatory term
for the
Dorchester
neighbourhood
of Savin Hill.
The term refers
to a history of
violence in that
neighbourhood.
Sully's -
Nickname for
Sullivan's at
Castle Island in
South Boston.
T
three-way - a
roast beef
sandwich with
cheese, sauce,
and mayo.
(example: "I'll
have a junior
three-way and a
medium coke.")
also "all
around."
time - a
retirement or
going-away
party; ("Did you
hear Sully's
retiring?"
"Yeah, they're
having a time
for him down
Florian Hall.")
Also refers to
political
fundraisers.
tonguebahth - a
hot girl (used by
Bedford(Mass.)
men)
tonic - soft
drink, soda or
pop. Not the
same thing as a
tonic water
tool - the
Leather District
- the
neighbourhood
surrounding
South Street in
Boston, east of
Chinatown.
townie - in the
strictest sense,
a resident of
Charlestown; or
more broadly
someone from
Somerville or
South Boston
or the other
Irish-Catholic
enclaves of
Boston and
surrounding
areas. Also
used as an
adjective for the
accent of those
areas, or to
describe a
person who
shares many
characteristics
with the
residents of
those areas.
Occasionally, a
person who was
born/lived their
life/died in the
same town,
village, or
suburb, and
whose family
has lived in the
town for many
generations. A
resident of a
college town
who is not
affiliated with
the college
(more used by
non-local
college
students than
by Boston area
residents).
The train (n.):
the Commuter
Rail, which is
part of the T,
but is not the T
itself.
This fuckin’ guy
(int.): a stranger
who’s pissed
you off;
conversely, a
friend you’re
pleased to see.
triple decker - a
three-story,
three-family
house, also
called a "three-
decker".
Triple Eagle -
Someone who
has graduated
from Boston
College High
School, Boston
College, and
Boston College
Law School.
Taken from the
fact that all
three schools
use the eagle as
a mascot.
Tractor-trailer:
A semi-truck
The T - the
Massachusetts
Bay
Transportation
Authority, duh;
also used for
services run by
the MBTA,
particularly the
Subway. Taken
from the
MBTA's logo, a
block-letter T
within a circle.
Taxachusetts -
derogatory
political state
title and
comparative
reference to the
limited taxation
of neighbouring
New Hampshire
The Teddy or
The Ted - The
Ted Williams
Tunnel
"The U" - Term
to describe
Salem State
University due
to its recent
change from a
"College" to a
"University". "I
graduated from
the U when it
was only a C"
The Milf -
Ironically refers
to Milford, MA,
where most
mothers are
undesirable.
the Record -
Reference to
The Boston
Herald often
made by older
Bostonians;
derived from
the Boston
Record-
American, a
former tabloid
that merged
with the Herald-
Traveler in 1971
and originally
referred to the
paper's first
edition which
formerly came
out before
midnight. The
only "paper"
you could read
on the subway,
was small and
open like a
magazine.
The ‘Nard - the
name used by
“everyone else”
(non-Maynard
locals) refers to
the small town
of Maynard.
The Slut -
Refers to Pizza
Hut, also used
widely in Rhode
Island, the next-
top
Northeastern
state in my
book.
The Tip - The
Thomas P.
O'Neill Jr.
Tunnel
Tory Row - the
historic
neighbourhood
of Cambridge,
home to
prominent
British
sympathizers
before the
American
Revolution
The Town –
Charlestown,
Boston
Tek - Red Sox
catcher/captain
Jason Varitek,
of course~
"The Tree" -
Braintree,
Massachusetts
U
U-ey - a U-turn
while driving.
Also sometimes
called a "U-
dog". Almost
always used
with the verb
bang, as in
"After this next
light, bang a U-
ey and then
take a right."
Sometimes,
also,
(bang/hang a)
Louie.
Uh-doy - rarely
used anymore,
similar to
"Duh!"
up - a general
direction one
takes when
going
anywhere. I'm
takin' the kids
up Foley Field
to play ball; or
"We're goin' up
Maine for the
weekend." This
becomes
"Down" when
going to Cape
Cod, as in "I'm
goin' down
Cape this
weekend."
Up Mt. Auburn,
under the tree -
referring to a
deceased
person.
Example:
"Where's your
mom?" "She's
up Mt. Auburn,
under the tree"
Up the corner -
A popular hang-
out spot in most
Boston
Neighborhoods.
Neighbourhood
s such as
Southie were
infamous for
the crowds of
young kids
hanging out in
front of their
block's corner
store and
protecting it as
their own.
Upper Mass Ave
- the stretch of
Massachusetts
Avenue that
runs north
through North
Cambridge from
Harvard Square
toward the town
of Arlington.
V
The Village -
Adams Village,
an Irish enclave
in Dorchester
The Vineyard,
The Vin -
Martha's
Vineyard
W
Whitey - James
“Whitey”
Bulger, Jr.
whoopie pie - a
pastry first sold
commercially at
the Berwick
Cake Factory in
Dudley Square,
Roxbury
wicked - very;
or occasionally
cool. Used
indiscriminately
, can modify
anything (e.g.:
especially
"Wicked
pissa."; also
"Wicked good."
"Wicked bad."
"Wicked
boring.", etc.).
Almost always
used as an
adverb, rather
than an
adjective; some
Bostonians feel
it is
grammatically
improper not to
put an adjective
or verb after
"wicked".
wicked gross
mental fit - a
sustained
emotional
outburst,
generally
triggered by a
specific
incident. "She
came home
drunk, and her
mom took a
wicked gross
mental fit." "She
saw him making
out with
someone else
and took a
wicked gross
mental fit."
Believed to
have originated
in the Reading-
Stoneham-
Wakefield area
north of Boston.
wiffle - a short
haircut given to
boys and young
men usually in
the summer: a
buzz cut.
Wolfpack-
Boston Latin
School
Students
wrecker - a
towing vehicle,
as in: There was
a wicked pile up
on the artery.
They hadda
bring in at least
three wreckers
to get them cars
outta the way."
Woop: Far
away. So, if
something is a
woop, it means
it's far away.
For example,
Worcester is a
woop from
Mattapan, or
Braintree is a
woop from
Minneapolis(La
kers’ original
home)
Wake - Red Sox
pitcher Tim
Wakefield, of
course~
Y
yah huh- very
determined
"yes", also ya
suh
yiz or yous(e) -
plural form of
"you." As in,
"All a yiz bettah
be in the cah by
the time I count
to fou-ah"
Yah no (int.): no
chance.
Yaz - Carl
Yastrzemski,
long-time left
fielder for the
Red Sox. "Big
Yaz Bread" was
a loaf of bread
similar to
Wonder Bread
sold locally
after the Red
Sox's pennant-
winning season
of 1967.
Z
The Zakim - The
Leonard P.
Zakim Bunker
Hill Memorial
Bridge over the
Charles River,
on I-93 through
the city.
Zoo Mass, The
Zoo or ZooMass
Slamherst -
Used to
describe the
University of
Massachusetts,
Amherst,
because of its
reputation for
wild parties and
bad behaviour.
The school has
spent years
trying to
distance itself
from the term,
but it is still
widely used,
especially
among local
high school
students and
students of the
four other
UMass
campuses. (See
also: PooMass
above)
Part Four:
Thank-Yous
I thank the
following
authors, and
Bostonians in
this order: J.K.
Rowling, who
in large part
helped me
become
inspired to
write, Scott
Cunningham,
who in large
part helped
nurture me
into the
person I am
today,
Raymond
Buckland,
same reason
as Scott
Cunningham,
Skye
Alexander,
who in large
part nurtured
me into the
person I am
today, and to
many other
authors,
among them
David
Walliams and
Holly Webb.
And I thank
every
Bostonian, be
they native or
moved from
elsewhere,
who ever lived
for the tingles
provided to
me when I
hear the
accent or the
smiles I get
whenever I
read
something
written in the
accent, for
example, the
“stay wicked
fah apaht”
sign which
makes me
tingle from
head to toe
whenever I
see it as a
search result.
Thank you,
Boston for the
things you
give me in this
order: Joy,
decent teams
to follow in
comparison to
the NY Giants
(not San
Fran.), a
madly clutch
day, the best
times of
happiness
when your
teams win and
amazing food
I want to try. I
also
acknowledge
UniversalHub.
com and
Wiktionary.co
m for their
help in
gathering this
vast collection
of slang
terms.