Here are 16 Words You’ll Only Understand if you Hail from Southern California

Hey there, SoCal surfers and sun seekers! Get ready to dive into the rad lexicon of our golden state, where the waves are gnarly, the traffic’s legendary, and “dude” is practically punctuation. From cruising the PCH in a beach cruiser to scoring some “dank” tacos for Taco Tuesday, Southern California’s vocabulary is as diverse and vibrant as our beach towns and bustling cities. So grab your avocados, slip on your flip-flops, and let’s explore 16 words that’ll have you feeling like a true SoCal native in no time!

The 405

Credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/alh/

Refers to Interstate 405, a major freeway in Southern California that runs through Los Angeles County, notorious for its heavy traffic congestion and frequent delays.

SoCal

Southern California

Mob

Come quickly

Dank

Really good

The OC

Short for Orange County, a region in Southern California known for its affluent communities, beautiful beaches, and cultural attractions, including Disneyland Resort and Knott’s Berry Farm.

NoHo

Northern Hollywood

WeHo

West Hollywood

PCH

Short for Pacific Coast Highway, a scenic highway that runs along the coast of Southern California, offering breathtaking ocean views and access to beaches, parks, and coastal towns.

Bum

To have or borrow. “Can I bum a lighter from you?”

The Valley

Refers to the San Fernando Valley, a suburban region in Los Angeles County located north of the Santa Monica Mountains, known for its warm climate, suburban neighborhoods, and entertainment industry presence.

Keep it 100

To be honest with someone.

June Gloom

Refers to a weather phenomenon common in Southern California during the month of June, characterized by overcast skies and cooler temperatures, particularly in the mornings, due to the influence of marine layer clouds.

Stoked

To be excited for something. “I’m stoked for Sam’s birthday party!”

Grub

Grub is one of the most common Los Angeles slang words used. It is a common slang used in many places. Grub refers to food or snacks. The dictionary meaning of the word grub is the larva of an insect. As a slang word, it refers to any type of food. “Let’s go and get some grub quickly”, is an invitation to join for a meal/snack.

Dirty Dog

You may think that ‘dirty dog’ refers to a real mangy dog but its meaning is something else. A dirty dog is Los Angeles slang referring to a particular type of hot dog or a snack. It is a hit dog that is wrapped in bacon and generally served with pepper and onions. It is a popular snack in LA. Usually, carts sell this snack outside bars and various places at night. “Let’s grab a dirty dog” is slang for let’s get a hot dog.

Trip

A trip is not a journey but has a different meaning in Los Angeles slang. Trip refers to making a small thing big or making a mountain out of a molehill. “Stop tripping out” would mean don’t make a big deal over something. It also refers to overreacting to something. “Why are you tripping out?” is asking someone why they are overreacting.