If You Say These 12 Phrases, You Definitely Grew Up in Maryland

Growing up in Maryland means your vocabulary was shaped by water, traffic, and very strong opinions about food. These phrases come out naturally—especially when someone questions the state’s identity or how things are done “back home.” If these sound familiar, there’s no doubt about it… Maryland raised you.

“It’s all about the Old Bay.”

Not a seasoning. A lifestyle.

“Put Old Bay on it.”

Applies to seafood, fries, chicken, corn, and honestly… everything.

“We’re going down the shore.”

Not the beach. Never the beach.

“You gotta pick the crabs yourself.”

Said proudly, like it’s a rite of passage—because it is.

“Traffic on the Beltway is terrible.”

A statement that is always true.

“That’s basically DC.”

Used to describe anything remotely close to the city.

“We don’t all sound like that.”

Said immediately after someone attempts a Maryland accent.

“Crab season.”

A time of year that affects schedules, weekends, and priorities.

“You can’t rush it.”

Usually referring to crab picking… but also life in general.

“It’s humid.”

The understatement of every Maryland summer.

“That’s a Baltimore thing.”

Said confidently, even if no one can fully explain it.

“Maryland’s kinda its own thing.”

The best possible description of the state.

If you’ve said most of these without hesitation, there’s no denying it—you grew up in Maryland. These phrases are part coastal pride, part DMV survival, and part Old Bay devotion. And if someone says Maryland is just crabs and traffic… well, they’re not entirely wrong—but they’re definitely missing the point.