Here are 19 Slang Terms You’ll Only Understand if you’re from Alaska

Alaska, often dubbed ‘The Last Frontier’, boasts not only stunning landscapes but also a rich tapestry of unique language and culture. From terms reflecting its rugged wilderness to those rooted in its history of resource extraction, Alaskans have developed a lexicon all their own. In this blog post, we’ll uncover 19 slang terms that offer a glimpse into the linguistic world of the northernmost state.

Bush

Referring to remote or rural areas not connected to urban centers; often implies a lack of modern amenities or infrastructure.

Alyeska

This Aleut word meaning “Great Land” or “Main Land” is also the name of Alaska’s largest ski resort located 40 miles south of Anchorage in the town of Girdwood. Mount Alyeska is 3,939 feet tall.

Lower 48

Used to refer to the contiguous United States, excluding Alaska and Hawaii.

The Bush

Typically refers to places in rural Alaska not accessible by the road or rail system, which encompasses a large portion of the state. Most parts of Alaska that are off the road and rail system can only be reached by small airplane or through alternative means of transportation such as snowmobile or snowmachine, boat or dog sled.

Cheechako

A newcomer or someone who is inexperienced in the ways of Alaska; opposite of “sourdough”.

Snowbird

A snowbird is an individual who spends summers in Alaska and migrates south for winter. Those snowbirds can’t handle the cold!

Chugach

The Chugach people, Alutiiq people from the Kenai Peninsula, gave their name to Chugach National Forest, Chugach Mountains and Alaska’s Chugach State Park. All are located in or near the traditional range of the Chugach people in southcentral Alaska.

Sourdough

A long-term resident of Alaska, typically someone who has endured at least one winter in the state.

Ulu

The Alaska Native people of northern Alaska invented this knife centuries ago. It is used for hunting, fishing, skinning, filleting and every other imaginable domestic cutting need by the Eskimo people. Nowadays, replicas can be purchased at any souvenir shop in Alaska.

PAC

Short for the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts, Anchorage’s four-theatre complex which provides a place for Alaskans to enjoy music and dance performances, plays, operas and even Broadway musicals. The PAC was built in 1988.

Termination Dust

The first snowfall in the mountains each year. This pretty term means that winter is finally on its way.

Breakup

The spring thaw when ice and snow melt, leading to muddy and sometimes challenging road conditions.

Ditch Diver

Someone who owns a 4-wheel-drive vehicle and learns the hard way by driving too fast on ice and snow. Be careful – even the very best drivers can sometimes go ditch driving!

The Last Frontier

A popular nickname for Alaska, emphasizing its vast wilderness and opportunities for exploration.

Mushing

The act of driving a dogsled team, a traditional mode of transportation in Alaska.

Musher

A person who drives a dog sled team, either competitively or recreationally.

Salmon run

Refers to the migration of salmon upstream to spawn, a crucial event in Alaskan ecology and culture.

Ice fog

A type of fog made up of tiny ice crystals, common in colder regions like Alaska.

PFD

Short for “Permanent Fund Dividend”, an annual payment made to Alaska residents from the state’s oil wealth.