If You Understand These 14 Slang Terms, You’re Definitely from Massachusetts

If you’ve ever ordered a “regular” coffee and expected cream and sugar, called a water fountain a “bubbler,” or driven a rotary like you invented it, you’re definitely from Massachusetts. The Bay State has its own dictionary—equal parts sarcasm, Dunkin’, and regional pride that outsiders will never fully get. From Boston to the Berkshires, it’s wicked fast, wicked proud, and wicked confusing if you don’t speak the language.

So lace up your Sox hat, grab your iced Dunkies (yes, even in winter), and see if you talk like a true Masshole—lovingly, of course.

1. Wicked

Translation: Very, extremely, or ridiculously. The cornerstone of Massachusetts vocabulary.
Example: “That game was wicked awesome, kid.”

2. The Packie

Translation: The liquor store, because “package store” is too many syllables.
Example: “Swing by the packie and grab some Sam Adams.”

3. The T

Translation: Boston’s public transit system, and the only acceptable way to complain about being late.
Example: “The T’s down again—guess I’m walkin’.”

4. Rotary

Translation: A traffic circle that’s equal parts chaos and confidence test.
Example: “You hesitated in the rotary? Yeah, you’re not from here.”

5. Bang a U-ey

Translation: Make a U-turn—quickly, boldly, and without signaling.
Example: “Missed the Dunkin’? Just bang a U-ey up here.”

6. The Cape

Translation: Cape Cod. No explanation needed—it’s the Cape.
Example: “We’re goin’ down the Cape for the weekend.”

7. Dunks / Dunkies

Translation: Dunkin’ Donuts, the state’s unofficial religion.
Example: “I’m late ‘cause Dunks had a line out the door.”

8. Regular Coffee

Translation: Coffee with cream and sugar—don’t overthink it.
Example: “I said a regular coffee, not black. You from New York or somethin’?”

9. Bubbler

Translation: A drinking fountain. Nobody else says it, and that’s their problem.
Example: “The bubbler’s next to the gym, right by the lockers.”

10. Masshole

Translation: A term of endearment (or insult) for an aggressive Massachusetts driver—or just any local with attitude.
Example: “Yeah, I cut you off, I’m from Worcester. Wicked proud Masshole.”

11. The Sox

Translation: The Boston Red Sox—beloved, cursed, and holy.
Example: “The Sox’ll take it this year. I say that every year, but this time I mean it.”

12. The Garden

Translation: TD Garden—home of the Bruins and Celtics, and spiritual center of Boston sports.
Example: “Goin’ to The Garden tonight—Celts by 12.”

13. Leaf Peepahs

Translation: Tourists who clog up the backroads in the fall to stare at the foliage.
Example: “The leaf peepahs are out again—time to avoid Route 2.”

14. Clickah

Translation: The remote control—because why use all those extra letters?
Example: “Pass the clickah, the Pats are on.”

If every one of these sounds wicked normal to you, then congrats—you’re Massachusetts through and through. You’ve survived snowbanks taller than your car, traffic worse than purgatory, and tourists who can’t pronounce “Worcester.” So grab your Dunks, bang a U-ey, and remember: there’s no place like the Bay State—‘specially when the Sox are winnin’.