Here are 24 Slang Terms You’ll Only Understand if you’re from Utah

Embark on a linguistic exploration of the Beehive State as we unveil 24 distinctive slang terms that resonate uniquely with Utahns. From navigating the intricacies of the “Zion Curtain” to celebrating Pioneer Day with “Green Jell-O,” Utah’s lexicon weaves a tale of religious heritage, scenic landscapes, and quirky cultural nuances. Whether you’re a proud resident of the Wasatch Front or a curious outsider, join us in unraveling the linguistic tapestry that makes Utah’s vernacular as diverse and fascinating as its geography.

Deseret

Refers to the region settled by Mormons in the Utah Territory and is often used as a poetic or historical term.

Sluffing

In Utah, sluff or sluffing means you are going to skip class. Skipping, ditching, or cutting class are common terms used to describe the adolescent behavior. Utah students call it sluffing.

Beehive State

A nickname for Utah, symbolizing industry and cooperation, derived from the state’s emblem featuring a beehive.

Fry Sauce

Think of ketchup mixed with mayonnaise and sometimes a little pickle relish mixed in.

Elder/Elders

If you hear a Utahn talking about an Elder or the Elders, they aren’t referring to someone old in age. They are referring to a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. These male missionaries, called Elders, and female missionaries, called Sisters, are usually between the ages of 18 and 22 serving service missions for their faith all around the world.

Zion Curtain

A barrier in Utah restaurants designed to shield customers from the preparation of alcoholic beverages, reflecting the state’s unique liquor laws.

Spaghetti Bowl

This is the network of highway connections that look like a spaghetti bowl when looking from overhead.

Dirty Diet Coke

Utahns love their soda. Especially Diet Coke. To doctor the diet soda up they make it “dirty” but not in a way you might think. A classic “Dirty Diet Coke” is a concoction with coconut syrup, fresh lime, and a splash of cream.

They totally biffed it!

Utahns have their own term for falling, tripping or wiping-out at something.

LDS

Abbreviation for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly known as the Mormon Church, with a significant presence in Utah.

SLC

Short for Salt Lake City, the capital and largest city in Utah.

St. Geezy

Saint George. “I’m going to St. Geezy for the weekend.”

Wasatch Front

Refers to the region along the western side of the Wasatch Mountains, where the majority of Utah’s population resides.

Powder Day

This basically excuses any plans you had before to head to the slopes for a day of skiing, or snowboarding.

Pioneer Day

This is an actual state holiday that’s pretty close to the celebration that happens on the 4th of July. It commemorates the entry of Brigham Young and the first wave or Latter-day Saints pioneers into the state.

Oh my Heck

This is a politer way of saying Oh my God, or what the hell?!

Epic

The rest of the world uses this to describe something that’s really cool. But for Utahns, this is the name of their local beer.

Pioneer Day

A state holiday in Utah commemorating the arrival of Mormon pioneers in the Salt Lake Valley on July 24, 1847.

SLC Punk

Refers to the film “SLC Punk!” set in Salt Lake City, capturing the punk subculture in the city during the 1980s.

Greatest Snow on Earth

A phrase used to describe Utah’s renowned powder snow, often cited in tourism promotions.

Slots

Slots are the standard landscape background in Utah. Normal to locals, but impressive to everyone!

Red Rock Country

Refers to the southern part of Utah known for its stunning red rock formations, including national parks like Zion and Bryce Canyon.

Deseret Book

A bookstore and publisher associated with the LDS Church, featuring religious and family-oriented literature.

The Crossroads of the West

A moniker for Utah, highlighting its central location in the western United States.