The Wicked Good Guide to Mainah English

Some Mainah vocabulary so you can have a wicked good time in Maine.

"Pahk ovah theyah; that's wayah tha pahty is!" (thanks to Angela)

A-B-C-D-E-F-G-H-I-J-K-L-M-N-O-P-Q-R-S-T-U-V-W-X-Y-Z

Ahcadiuh

n., That pawk up the coast with Cadillac Mountain and Thundah Hole.
- Submitted by Lance McBride

Ahm tellin' you

phrase, Emphasizing the truth: "It's cold out theah, ahm tellin' you."
- Submitted by Jared Dyar (from Strong, Maine)

Ahnt

1) n., Your uncle's wife. 2) Contraction, "Are Not"

Aht

n., There is a lot of this wicked pretty stuff at the Powrtland Museum of Aht.

Ah-yuh

n., A response in the affirmative; Yes.
- Or, is it Ay-yuh? Vote for your choice here!

Alkie

n., An alcoholic - "I ain't no alkie, I just had ten beeahs."
- Submitted by John Moore

Ankle biteah

n., Young child: "Looks like you and the wife got another little ankle biteah."
- Submitted by Rodney Cole

Anti Christ

adj., "Well you wouldn't look at that jeslus anti christ!" (Moosetown lingo)
- Submitted by Angie Hafford (from Allagash, Maine)

Apiece

n., An undetermined measurement of road..."down the road apiece" 
- Submitted by Brian J. Murray (from Bangor, Maine)

*sswipe

n., Someone who is as low as toilet papah.
- Submitted by Elizabeth McKenney (from Winthrop, Maine)

Auguster

place, It's just like 'dem 'dar uddah cities but it's dah state capital, but you still can't get 'dar from he-ah.

Ayuhpawt

n., Where planes land. Eastie residents will tell you that their neighborhood is not an ayuhpawt. 

Bah Hahba

place, Anothah "city" that ya still can't get to from he-ah. 
- Submitted by Ben Fitch (from Portsmouth, NH via a Mainah family!)

Bakyahd

n, The place in back of the house kids/kin play in.
- Submitted by Randy Patterson (from Caribou, Maine)

Bangah

place, It's one of 'dem 'dar cities way up north but you can't get 'dar from he-ah.

Bazz on

adj., Being drunk. "Charlie had a wicked bazz on."

Baxtah

place, The wicked huge pahk wheyah K'tahdin is.
- Submitted by Jessie Seymour (5th Generation Mainah)

Bean's

n., That big sto-ah in Freepawt were all the tourists shop. (See also: L.L. Bean)
- Submitted by Carolyn Kraft (originally from Standish, Maine)

Bed lunch

n., Midnight snack.
- Submitted by Sandy Pasquantonio (from a Mainah family!)

Beetah

n., Old unregistered beat-up pickup truck used for haulin' anything.

Beyah

n., No not the big, mean furry thing, but the man who wears a Smokey the Bear hat and stops you if you're speeding cause he got wicked good radah. (aka: a "Statey").
- Submitted by Nate Carr

B.F.I.

n., The Big F#$%in' Indian in Freepaht that you can see from the Intahstate when youah goin' to 'Bean's from Poahtland.  Jeesum Crow, is it still theah??
- Submitted by Drew Hibbard

n., An alternate definition for when the kids overhear and ask, "What's a B.F.I.?" - Big Friendly Indian
- Submitted by Matt Nazar

Big'uns

n., "Did you catch any fish?" "Ayuh, I got two big'uns."
- Submitted by Charles & Carrie Sue (from Houlton, Maine in The County)

Blinker fluid

n., Somethin' tourists forget to put in their car before visitin'.
- Submitted by Holly Vanorse (from Rockland, Maine)

Blinkkah

n., This one really confuses many Outta Staydahs. You see, those from away, although they never use them themselves, refer to this as a "turn signal" or sometimes a "directional light". In Maine, it's called a "Blinkkah" (blinker for the illiterate). With the strong influence of the French Canadians in Maine, a blinkkah is a difficult concept to understand. Once a man in a IGA parking lot was having some difficulty with his and asked a passer-by if he could tell him if his blinkkah was working. In a very thick French accent the man replied, "Ayuh, nope, ayuh, nope, ayuh, nope..."
- Submitted by Laugh Maine (from Bethel, Maine)

Blueberries

n., Nickname for the St. Johner's.
- Submitted by Angie Hafford (from Allagash, Maine)

BMW

n., Not a German cah or manufacturing plant, but a Big Maine Woman. The kind that unlike some of those fancy cahs, can survive a wicked Maine wintah.
- Submitted by Brian J. Murray (from Bangor, Maine)

Bogan

n., Pronounced Bow-Gan - A little pond-like area with nasty water (Moosetown lingo).
- Submitted by Angie Hafford (from Allagash, Maine)

Bookin' it

v., To go wicked fast. ""Man I tell yah, he was bookin' it tryin' ta make tha last boat out to the island!"
- Submitted by Luke Beland (from Bangor, Maine)

Breezed up

adj., Became quite windy. "Yestidy was flat-calm, but it breezed up some this mawnin'"
- Submitted by Jon Hughes (from Isle au Haut, Maine)

Buhdado

n., Vegetable - also grown in Idaho.
- Submitted by David Gagne

Bubbler

n., Water fountain.
- Submitted by Carolyn Kraft (originally from Standish, Maine)

Buggin'

v., Term used for lobstering.
- Submitted by Dave Carter

Bum-bye

phrase, By and by; pretty soon: "Goin' fishin'?" "Bum-bye."
- Submitted by Jesse Howard (from Stratton, Maine)

Bummah

adj., Wicked bad: "His beetah got in a gaum, what a bummah!"
- Submitted by Ryan Finlay (from Limerick, Maine)

Bun-in-th'-oven

phrase, pregnant: "As if she don't have enuf rugrats already, she's gone and got herself anutha bun-in-th'-oven!"
- Submitted by Jenny Morrison (from Augusta, Maine)

Bureau

n., Where one stores ones clothes.
- Submitted by Carolyn Kraft (originally from Standish, Maine) 

Burnah

v., Term for "do a burn out."
- Submitted by Holly Vanorse (from Rockland, Maine) 

By Godfrey

phrase, Affirmative in the extreme.
- Submitted by Glenn Harmon (from Portland, Maine) 

By-the-Jesus

phrase, "I'm not kidding around now."
- Submitted by Glenn Harmon (from Portland, Maine) 

Cadillac Converter

n., One of them "omission devices" the DEP requires for our cahs.
- Submitted by Cathy Burns

Cah

n., "what you drive to work or PAHK in the BAHN or maybe in the Wal-Maht pahkin lot" 
- Submitted by Catherine Dinsmore (from Limestone, Caribou, Rockland, and Bridgton, Maine)

Cahd

n., A person noted for a running wit and good humor. "I'm always chucklin' when I hear Tim speak...what a cahd." 
- Submitted by Rodney Cole

Cahtin

n., A containah for milk (also used with cahboard, as in a cahboard cahtin).
- Submitted by Ben Fitch (from Portsmouth, NH via a Mainah family!)

Cahzin

n., Whot the ahnt haz lots uf. (cousins)
- Submitted by Elizabeth Williams Martin (from Waterville and Canaan and 7th genahraeshin Mainah)

Callus

place, Town in Washington County on the Canadian border.
- Submitted by Richard Higgins (born and raised in Gray and living in Dixfield, Maine)

Candlepins

n., Mainah bowling; involves tiny little pins and tiny little balls (the pins are so hard to hit, you get three tries a frame). Make sure to catch all the tournaments on public television... Hey, sometimes we get lucky and it is actually on one of the networks! Yee-haw!

Carriage

n., What you use to wheel your groceries around at Shop 'n Save or Shaws.

Cawkah

adj., Wicked neet: "That Jon Deah's a wicked cawkah."
- Submitted by Ryan Finlay (from Limerick, Maine)

Chaage

adj., Derived from the word charge: "A good chaage of wood."
- Submitted by Joshua McCann (from York, Maine)

Cheesetown

place, AKA: Van Buren.
- Submitted by Angie Hafford (from Allagash, Maine)

Chestadraws

n., What you put your clothes in.
- Submitted by Richard Higgins (from Dixfield, Maine)

Chimbly

n., The place where the smoke goes up from the woodstove.
- Submitted by Cathy Burns

Chop-chop!

phrase, Moosetowner's way of saying: "Hurry Up!" or "Quick!"
- Submitted by Angie Hafford (from Allagash, Maine)

Chout

phrase, Watch out. "Chout for dem dair misqitahs in these wicked hot summahs!"
- Submitted by Joel Eaton (from Saco, Maine)

Chowdah

n., Chopped or whole clams and spuds stewed with other things grown in the summah.
- Submitted by Brian J. Murray (from Bangor, Maine)

Christly

adv., Means "very", as in: "Ain't it christly hot."
- Submitted by Jenny Morrison (from Augusta, Maine)

Chummin'

v., To vomit.
- Submitted by Sean Donaghy

Chummy

n., A friend or can be used with someone to mean the opposite: "Listen up, Chummy, I don't like the way you been talkin' bout Muskie."
- Submitted by John Moore

Chupp ta?

phrase, "What are you up to or what are you doing?" As in "Hot nuff faw ya?" this does not require a response. It's just another way of saying hello.
- Submitted by Laugh Maine (from Bethel, Maine)

City

n., Um, Boston would be the closest, I recon'...Some Mainah's still think of Maine as just one really big "suburb" of Boston (that's in land mass and not in people).

City pukes

n., Tourists.
- Submitted by Jan Anderson

Clam

v., To spit (usually a thick one) as in "I clammed out the window."
- Submitted by Ken Kalloch

Clikkah

n., Used to change the channels without getting up.
- Submitted by Angie Kaldro

Cod

n., Mainah measurement for quantity of firewood.

Cohen

n., No, not the one we sent down theyah to DC, but the food (on the cob) ya like to eat at a summah BBQ.
- Submitted by Angela

Cold

n., A word people from away use in mid-Septembah when we ah still in ah skivies swimin in th' waddah. Mainahs still can't wait for it to get cold like it used to way back when.
- Submitted by Zach Freedenberg (from Farmington, Maine)

Combin

n., Hahd, white stuff that the plow leaves at the end of tha driveway... snow combing.
- Submitted by Laurel Coulstet

Computah

n., An electronic tool used for many things in many homes today - when it hasn't crashed, that is!
- Submitted by Nancy McBride (formerly from Brunswick, Maine)

Congrahstreet

place, The main street in downtown Powrtland. I once told a friend from away that I would meet him on Congrahstreet. He stood me up - but spent the whole day looking for it.

The Corner

place, Downtown Gray (where seven roads - four of them major Routes - merge together into a traffic nightmare).
- Submitted by Richard Higgins (born and raised in Gray and living in Dixfield, Maine)

The County

place, Aroostook, that wicked big county way up north.
- Submitted by Carolyn Kraft (originally from Standish, Maine) 

Cressherpool

n., Cesspool.
- Submitted by Sandy Pasquantonio (from a Mainah family!)

Crittah

n., Any fur bearing animal...especially democrats.
- Submitted by Brian J. Murray (from Bangor, Maine)

Cubboards

n., Where you put the cups, glasses and dishes, can goods and box goods.
- Submitted by Pat and Pete

Cunin'

adj., Wicked cute.
- Submitted by Greg Closter (from Belfast, Maine) 

Dahkah than the inside of a pocket

phrase, No explanation needed!
- Submitted by Alice (Borgen) Carleton (from Old Town, Maine now living in exile!)

Dater

n., Facts or figures used to draw conclusions, ie: "computah dater".  
- Submitted by Nancy McBride (formerly from Brunswick, Maine)

Deah

n., Smaller than a moose, but good eatin' none-the-less! 
- Submitted by Ben Fitch (from Portsmouth, NH via a Mainah family!)

Deeah

n., A form of address not necessarily an endearment; "What kin I do for yeh, Dee-ah?"

Dink

n., Someone who is a pain in the butt, losah, *sswipe, but it is usually used in good fun between friends as a ribbin.
- Submitted by Elizabeth McKenney (from Winthrop, Maine)

Dinna

n., Noon mee-ul.
- Submitted by Jenny Morrison (from Augusta, Maine)

Dinnahbucket

n., Lunch pail.
- Submitted by Laura McGuire (originally from Topsham/Brunswick, Maine)

Directional

n., The light on your cah that tells others which way you're going to go next.
- Submitted by Carolyn Kraft (originally from Standish, Maine) 

Djeet?

question, Did you eat?
- Submitted by Carol Morton (M.I.E. in Seattle)

Doah Yahd

n., The front lawn or front of the house.
- Submitted by Russ Clavette

Dog Days

phrase, Time in the fall when the waters are low and pretty dirty (Moosetown lingo).
- Submitted by Angie Hafford (from Allagash, Maine)

Doooow

phrase, "I don't believe you", or "You're kidding me".
- Submitted by Jessie Seymour (5th Generation Mainah)

Down Below

adj., Anyone or anything that's down any hill.
- Submitted by Debbie Crouse (from Waldoboro, Rockland, and Portland, Maine)

Down Cellah

n., The basement: "Take those buhdados down cellah."
- Submitted by Cathy Richard (from Kennebunkport, Maine)

Downt

phrase, "down to the"
- Submitted by Dave Hilton (from York, Maine)

Downtown

place, Dad goes to work down theyah!
- Submitted by Elizabeth Williams Martin (from Waterville and Canaan and 7th genahraeshin Mainah)

Draw

n., Where you keep your stuff.
- Submitted by Richard Higgins (from Dixfield, Maine)

Drybones

n., A skeleton.

Dubba

adj., Someone who doesn't know much, ie: doesn't know their head from their (other end). Can be shortened to Dub: "Hey, why did you throw my beer away, you dub?"
- Submitted by Ken Kalloch & Nick Hilton

Dungahrees

n., Bluejeans. 

EastPOT

pl., Most Eastern city in the USA. 
- Submitted by Michelle Marsh (from Eastport, Maine)

Elastic

n., Rubber band. 

Fahmah

n., One who plants in fields and/or raises livestock to feed his family and naybahs. 

Fatha

n., The guy who helped your mutha to make you.
- Submitted by Melanie Varney (from Blue Hill, Maine)

Fellers

n., A group of people (Moosetown lingo).
- Submitted by Angie Hafford (from Allagash, Maine)

Flatlander

n., A general term to describe someone not from Maine; someone from away; an outta-state-ah (flatlandah).
- Submitted by CB (from Dexter, Maine)

Foah bangah

n., A small cah that you buy ya daughtah when she gets her license so she can make the one howa drive to the Mall in South Pawtland.
- Submitted by Guss

Foddy

n., The numbah aftah thirdy-nine.

Foolish

adj., Crazy: "Foolish in the head." or "Hey, foolish!" or "I ain't foolish."
- Submitted by Ken Kalloch

Frappe

n., A milkshake or malted drink elsewhere, it's basically ice cream, milk and chocolate syrup blended togetha. The 'e' is silent.

Frickin'

adj., "It was so frickin' cold, the lobstah's were wearin' mittens!"

Fritta tenda

n., The turner used in frying or to "tend the fritters on the stove."
- Submitted by Jeff Holt (from Portland, Maine)

Frogs

n., 1) Nickname for the St. Francis and Fort Kenter's.
- Submitted by Angie Hafford (from Allagash, Maine)

2) What Southern Mainers like to call the French/County people.
- Submitted by Marla Landry (from Fort Kent, Maine)

From Away

adj., People who are not native Mainah's.
- Submitted by Carolyn Kraft (originally from Standish, Maine) 

Fryeburg Fayah

n., Agricultural event - annual meetin' place for all us Mainahs and foren visitors from outta state.

The 'Gash

place, Short for Allagash, Maine.
- Submitted by Marla Landry (from Fort Kent, Maine)

Gawmy

adj., Clumsy, prone to foolish accidents: "Way-ull he got the Fletcher girl pregnunt agin - what a gawmy little yard ape."  
- Submitted by Rodney Cole

Glahss

n. (glah-ss) What you drink from.

God-dammah

n., Something really unbelievable or something really funny. "Didja heah 'bout those folks won the Megabucks up the road apiece? Ain't that a god-dammah!" Also, "That joke Rodga told's one god-dammah!"
- Submitted by Laura McGuire (originally from Topsham/Brunswick, Maine)

Goint

phrase, "going to"
- Submitted by Dave Hilton (from York, Maine)

Good shat

adj., Funny, good, fun person. "That Charlie is a good shat."

Goo-ud

n., see "Ayuh!" (Ittiz with the ackcent on thuh lahst sillibul.)
- Submitted by Elizabeth Williams Martin (from Waterville and Canaan and 7th genahraeshin Mainah)

Got in a Gaum

phrase, Got stuck, got in trouble, got into something that was a pain somehow. 

Greasey

n., The roads are greasey or as others may say icy or slick

Grindah's

n., Sandwiches that are heated in the oven (sauce and cheese optional).
- Submitted by Kerry Isaacson (from Gorham, Maine)

Gumma

n., Person lacking teeth - a denture wearer.
- Submitted by Jenny Morrison (from Augusta, Maine)

Gutter

v., To go somewhere..."I gutter go to town."
- Submitted by Michelle Marsh (from Eastport, Maine)

G'way

phrase, Moosetowners way of saying "Go Away!"
- Submitted by Angie Hafford (from Allagash, Maine)

Hahd tellin not knowin

phrase, "I don't know".
- Submitted by Jessie Seymour (5th Generation Mainah)

The Hammah Lane

n., The left lane of any road with 2 or more lanes, also referred to as the fast lane: "Ayuh, I got caught by a Statey doin' 85 in the hammah lane."
- Submitted by John Moore

Harbah

n., A place to find some wicked bo-ats. 
- Submitted by Brian J. Murray (from Bangor, Maine)

Heatah Bank

n., "Growing up my father always referred to the snowbank left by the snowplow as a "heatah bank." I guess the old fashioned snowplow was called a heater."
- Submitted by Ben Rogers (from Winslow, Maine)

Heetah-Huntin'

n., Usually done in Novembah by fellahs in theyah wintah beetahs when they git too numb in the woods tryin' to git a dee-ah. Usually followed by a trip to Dunky Donits for some wicked good coff-ay.
- Submitted by Paul

Helluva

adj., "It's a helluva storm outside!"
- Submitted by Mina Alley (from Beals, Maine)

Hoppa

n., Toilet.

Honkin'

adj., Wicked big.
- Submitted by Carolyn Kraft (originally from Standish, Maine) 

Hotballs

n., Those wicked hot, red, round candies. (aka: Fireballs)
- Submitted by Carolyn Kraft (originally from Standish, Maine) 

Hot nuff faw ya?

phrase, That is a question that is casually asked by Mainers when they meet someone that they know ain't a flatlander. Usually posed to an acquaintance. When the asker poses the question, which by the way is "Is it hot enough for you?" They really are not seeking an answer and sometimes not even a response - although most times a low grunt will be okay. Obviously this question is asked only during the summer month (notice month is not plural) when the temperature reaches 80 degrees. Mainers notoriously despise the warmth - well the cold too and the mud season, and the black flies. Fall ain't too bad except the damned leaf-peepers!
- Submitted by Laugh Maine (from Bethel, Maine)

Hotter than Living Haying time

phrase, Wicked hot.
- Submitted by Glenn Harmon (from Portland, Maine) 

Huck

v., To throw: "Quit huckin' rocks at youah sistah!"
- Submitted by CB (from Dexter, Maine) 

Hum-Dingah

adj., Wicked good: "Mum and I bought him a hum-dingah of a fishin' rawd."
- Submitted by Ryan Finlay (from Limerick, Maine)

A Hundred

n., Not "one hundred" but "a hundred" as in "Take Route A Hundred.".
- Submitted by Bill Cook (from Scarboro/Scarborough, Maine)

Huss

n., "Wanna go huss back riding?"
- Submitted by Angela

Ice cream

n., Wickedest snack theah is in da winta.
- Submitted by Lance McBride

Idear

n., Nope, not an animal but a thought, as in "I have an idear!"
- Other pronunciations: "I-deer", "I-dee-ah" -- Submitted by Ken Kalloch
- Did you ever hear the story about the two Maine kids who were studying for a spelling test? When they got to "idea," they puzzled for a while, and then one turned to the other and said, "I know, you spell it just like it is pronounced, only the "r" is silent." -- Submitted by Lynda Wiener (from a Mainah family!)

I know it!

phrase, Used to show agreement: "Boy, it was foggy last night." "Oh, I know it!"
- Submitted by Carolyn McHugh (from Rumford, Maine)

Ima

phrase, "I'm going to": "Ima have a burgah from Moody's."
- Submitted by Sam Jackson

I'm all set...

phrase, "I'm good," "I'm finished," and "No, thank you" all wrapped into one.

In town

n., Portland. As in, "Did you go in town today?"
- Submitted by Carolyn Kraft (originally from Standish, Maine) 

Italians

n., Submarine sandwiches. Signs that read "Italians: 99 cents" always scare the tourists.
- Submitted by Carolyn Kraft (originally from Standish, Maine)

Jeezum Rice!

Exclamation of frustration. 
- Submitted by Alice Carleton (from Old Town, Maine)

Jeslus

adj., Pronounced Gees-Luss - "Them jeslus fellers!" (Moosetown lingo)
- Submitted by Angie Hafford (from Allagash, Maine)

Jimmies

n., Those little chocolate or multi-colored thingys you ask the guy at the ice-cream store to put on top of your cone. Hey, they only cost an extra five cents!

Jo-Jeezly

adj., An intensifying adjective used with a negative context: "You Jo-Jeezly son of a hoah', you spilt my bait!"
- Submitted by John Moore

Junk

n., Piece of firewood
- Submitted by Megan (originally from Clinton, Maine)

Junka

n., A car with more rust that yours.

Justa wailin'

adj., Goin' fast.
- Submitted by Debbie Crouse (from Waldoboro, Rockland, and Portland, Maine) 

Kelly Crossing

place, Where the bumpy railroad tracks were in St Francis, Maine: "I live 3 miles past Kelly Crossing."
-Submitted by Marla Landry (from Fort Kent, Maine)

Kid

n., A form of address having nothing to do with age; "Hey kids, how about going out for a bee-ah."

Kife

v., To steal, to take: "I had to kife one of those wicked good cookies!" 

'Kout

Contraction, look out. Example: "Kout fuh that fallin rock!"

Lady Statey

n., Female State Troopah.
- Submitted by Joe Crowe (from Gorham, Maine)

Leaf Peepahs

n., The "southanaws" that come up in fawl to see all the pretty leaves.
- Submitted by Brian Isaacson

Liberry

n., Not a false berry.  It's where they keep all them books!
- Submitted by Cathy Burns

L.L. Bean

n., The mecca for any true Mainah (tho we can't afford it). Open 24-7-365. Flannel forevah!

Lobstah

n., A Mainah staple - ya boil it and eat it up with tons of buttah! We love 'em so much, we've got 'em on our license plates (dead ones mine ya - they're red when they're dead).
- Submitted by Catherine Dinsmore (from Limestone, Caribou, Rockland, and Bridgton, Maine)

Long way round Robin Hood's barn

phrase, Not taking the shortest route.
- Submitted by Glenn Harmon (from Portland, Maine)

Loyston-Ahban

place, "the second-largest megalopolis in the Great State O' Maine"; 'Cities of the Andrahscahggin: Loyston-Ahban'
- Submitted by Pete and Renee (from Loyston and Ptown, Maine) 

Lozenger

n., a small medicated tablet intended to soothe the throat (brand of choice in Maine: obviously Fisherman's Friend).
- Submitted by Sheila (from Kennebunkport, Maine) 

Mahdin's

place, 1) A stoah wheyah you can get yahself a wicked bahgin. They've got em in Brewah, Loystin-Ahbin, Pohtlind, and othah places. 2) "We-uhs goin' down ta Mahdens and get some wicked good bahgins."
- Submitted by Jessie Seymour (5th Generation Mainah) and Chuck W. (Topsham, Maine - That's pronounced Top-sum...Home of the Topsum Fayuh)

Mainah

n., You can only be a true Mainah if ya were born in the State o' Maine. It doesn't mattah if ya lived there for thirty years, if you weren't born in Maine, ya can't be a Mainah. 

Maine State Bird

n., Mosquito.
- Submitted by CB (from Dexter, Maine)

Mainiacs

n., People from the grand State o' Maine. 
- Submitted by Carolyn Kraft (originally from Standish, Maine) 

The Mall

n., Not a place with stoahs.  It's what you split wood with.
- Submitted by Cathy Burns 

Massholes

n., People from the grand State, oh, sorry, Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 
- Submitted by Carolyn Kraft (originally from Standish, Maine) 

Mawnin'

phrase, What you say to someone in the a.m. hours. 
- Submitted by Nate Carr 

Migraine Workahs

n., "They show up heyah in Wash. County long 'bout 'Tha Time of the Blue Madness' to rake berries an' give us locals headaches!"
- Submitted by Barb & Roger (from Columbia, Maine) 

M.I.E.

name, Mainer in Exile.

Milkshake

n., Milk with some flavored syrup, but no ice cream. (See also: Frappe)

Mirrah

n., Used soley as decoration.
- Submitted by Holly Vanorse (from Rockland, Maine)

Mistah Man

n., Used to impart great emphasis to the dialogue or pronouncement that follows alerting the listener that he/she is:


1. Too wicked dense to understand the concept
2. Too wicked dense to understand the concept OR
3. Too wicked dense to understand the concept
As in: "I'm telling you, Mistah Man..."

- Submitted by Tony Cassista (from Moose Isle, Maine)

Moody's

n., That dinah Tim's (as in Tim Sample) always talkin 'bout. Update: "For about 2-3 years now Moody's has been taking credit cards. Still no checks but they upgraded their computer system and now take cards!" (from Norma in Waldoboro, 3/05)
- Submitted by Lance McBride

Moosetowner

n., Someone from Allagash, Maine.
- Submitted by Marla Landry (from Fort Kent, Maine)

Mow

v., (Long o) To eat very quickly and a lot.

Moxie

n., 1 : energy, pep; 2 : courage, determination; 3 : know-how, expertise

Did you know?

"Hot roasted peanuts! Fresh popcorn! Ice-cold Moxie!" You might have heard such a snack vendor's cry at a baseball game -- if you attended it in 1924. That was the heyday of the soft drink named "Moxie," which some claim outsold Coca-Cola at the height of its popularity. The beverage was a favorite of American writer E. B. White, who wrote, "Moxie contains gentian root, which is the path to the good life. This was known in the second century before Christ and is a boon to me today." By 1930, "moxie" had become a slang term for nerve and verve, perhaps because some people thought the drink was a tonic that could cure virtually any ill and bring vim back to even the most lethargic individual.

Brought to you by Merriam-Webster Inc.

Mugup

v., To eat until full: fishamen in Rockland use it alot.
- Submitted by David Earnest (from Rockland, Maine) 

Mummah

n., Anothuh werd foah mutha.
- Submitted by Elizabeth Williams Martin (from Waterville and Canaan and 7th genahraeshin Mainah)

Mutha

n., The woman who gave birth to you.
- Submitted by Melanie Varney (from Blue Hill, Maine)

Nascah

n., A spawt wheya cahs go round 'n round but nevah go up yondah. 
- Submitted by Nate Carr 

Naw

n., Opposite of "ah-yuh" or "yah." 

Newt

n., A child. "Them theyah newts down theyah playin' in thuh duht."
- Submitted by Jeremy Mixer

'Night

n., Tonight
- Submitted by Dave Hilton (from York, Maine)

Nippy

adj., Usually used in an understated fashion to describe the cold outside as in "It's a wee bit nippy out they-ah." when it's 50 below with the wind chill factor.
- Submitted by Elizabeth McKenney (from Winthrop, Maine)

No more sense than Carter's got Liver Pills

phrase, Not too clever.
- Submitted by Glenn Harmon (from Portland, Maine)

Numb

adj., Unintelligent as in "Numb as a stump."
- Submitted by Jessie Seymour (5th Generation Mainah) & Ken Kalloch

One Finger Wave

n., Not to be confused with "Givin um tha fingah". No, the one-finger wave is done the vast majority of the time while driving a pick-up truck. Place both (or one hand if your driving on pavement) on the steering wheel. The hand or hands need to be at the top of the steering wheel and all four fingers wrapped tightly around the wheel. When you meet an oncoming vehicle of someone you might know, the index (pointy) finger shoots straight up in the air. That's a one-finger wave. The old timers have variations of that. Sometimes even when driving on dirt roads, they only use one hand while driving and they do the one-finger wave at the same time. A real Mainer can slide one or both hands up the wheel while the oncoming car approaches and prepare for the one-finger wave. And in my travels I have seen and this is not recommended to try at home, a Mainer actually raise one arm up to about 90 degrees WITHOUT grasping the wheel and conducting a one-finger wave. AMAZING!
- Submitted by Laugh Maine (from Bethel, Maine)

Out in th' willie-wacks

phrase, Any place waaaaaay out in the country.
- Submitted by Jenny Morrison (from Augusta, Maine)

Over t' East Podunk

phrase, Any place out in the country.
- Submitted by Jenny Morrison (from Augusta, Maine)

Owah

adj., Belonging to us as in "Owah cah sits in the dooryahd.".
- Submitted by Carol Donnell (from West Bath, Maine)

Padiddle

n., A vehicle with one headlight out. A sighting of which causes any numbah of locally variant responses (like hitting the inside roof of the cah with yer hand).

- Submitted by Jenny Morrison (from Augusta, Maine)

Pahts Cah

n., Any cah that don't run, but ya can still use it.

Patate

n., Potato (French)
- Submitted by Marla Landry (from Fort Kent, Maine)

Paypuh

n., "The paypuh bowie chucked th' paypuh up on the wroof." 
- Submitted by Debbie Crouse (from Waldoboro, Rockland, and Portland, Maine)

Peeked

adj., Pronounced Peak-Ed - Sharp, to a point, peeked!! Usually used as "the peeked part" or describing someone to have a peeked face (Moosetown lingo).
- Submitted by Angie Hafford (from Allagash, Maine)

Pekid

adj., Rather pale and unwell: "Henry looked a bit pekid today."
- Submitted by Pamela Thompson (MIE in Colorado)

Pieah Fries

n., French fries from the pieah at Old Orchahd Beach (or OOB); only properly served smothered in vinegah.
- Submitted by Charles and Carrie Sue (from Houlton, Maine in The County)

Pissah

adj., 1) Wicked bad or annoying: "What a pissah!" 2) Wicked awesome: "That's pissah!"
- Submitted by Carolyn Kraft (originally from Standish, Maine) and Nick Hilton (from York, Maine)

Pissant

person, Someone who everyone just loves to pick on and beat up.
- Submitted by Holly Vanorse (from Rockland, Maine)

The Pit

place, Where high schoolers go to party and hide from the cops: "There's a party at the PIT this Saturday night."
- Submitted by Marla Landry (from Fort Kent, Maine)

Plenty-a-chahm

adj., What all houses for sale have, at least according to the brokahs. Really old houses also tend to have "characta," especially if the roof and floors need to be replaced.

Ploye

n., Flat, crepe-like pancake.
- Submitted by Marla Landry (from Fort Kent, Maine)

Podunk

n., A small, unimportant, and isolated town.

Did you know? "I hear you ask, 'Where in the world is Podunk?'" A correspondent asked that question of the editors of the Buffalo, New York, Daily National Pilot in 1846, then answered himself: "It is in the world, sir; and more than that, is a little world of itself." That writer may have introduced America to the concept of Podunk as an insignificant Anywhere, U.S.A., town, but the place isn't just imaginary; towns with that name have actually existed in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, and Iowa (and probably elsewhere) over the years. The exact origin of the name is murky, but it appears that "Podunk" comes from an Algonquian word, either the name of a tribe that inhabited an area near Hartford, Connecticut, or a more generic term meaning "swampy place."

Brought to you by Merriam-Webster Inc.

Polah Beah Club

n., A place weah Mainahs go to cool down in th' wintah.
- Submitted by Zach Freedenberg (from Farmington, Maine)

Poor Man's Fertilizer

n., A few inches of snow in late Spring.
- Submitted by Bob (from Kennebunk, Maine)

Learn more:
http://www.weathernotebook.org/transcripts/1999/04/26.html

Poutine

n., Fries with gravy and cheese.
- Submitted by Marla Landry (from Fort Kent, Maine)

Powrtland

place, It's anoddah one of 'dem 'dar cities that you still can't get 'dar from he-ah. (T'ain't up Nawth. Bangowah's up Nawth, Augusta's Up nawth, and Caribou's up nawth. Pawtlan's down east.)

Prettineah

phrase, "Ain't you ready yet? It's prettineah time to go!"
- Submitted by David and Nancy Simpson (from Passadumkeag, Maine)

Puckahbrush

n. Any area of wild overgrowth, or prickley bushes: "The boys ah' out playin' in the puckahbrush again."
- Submitted by John Moore

Puff

n., A comfortah; what you put on top of your bed.
- Submitted by Carolyn Kraft (originally from Standish, Maine)

Purchase

n., Grasp or grip. “Heft up that theyah crow bah ‘an git 'smoah purchase.”
- Submitted by BEM (as told by his fahtha, one Mainah to anutha)

Quatah of

phrase., 15 minutes until the hour. "Meet us back heah 'bout a quatah of."
- Submitted by Jon Hughes (from Isle au Haut, Maine)

Queer

adj., Wicked weird. 
- Submitted by Carolyn Kraft (originally from Standish, Maine)  

Radioactive

adj., Back pay coming to you, sometimes in the form of a radioactive Social Security check.
- Submitted by Cathy Burns

Railed 'em

phrase, Caught in great numbers, as in lobstahs. "Didn't get too many in the harbor, but out off the point we frickin' railed 'em."
- Submitted by Jon Hughes (from Isle au Haut, Maine)

Rammin'

v., "Joe and Ted went out rammin' in that new cah of Joe's"...joyriding. 
- Submitted by Laurel Coulstet

Reny's (aka House of Renee):

place, Anothah stoah wheyah you can get yahself a wicked bahgin. The original is up in D'cotta, but all of em ah decent.
- Submitted by Jessie Seymour (5th Generation Mainah)

Ribbin

n. & v., When your friend teases you as in "I'm just givin you a ribbin."
- Submitted by Elizabeth McKenney (from Winthrop, Maine)

Rig up

v., If it's snowing outside and you need to put on your boots and coat before you go out, you "Rig up" and get ready to go.
- Submitted by Britt Tucker (born in Bah Habah)

Robin showah

n., A snowstorm in Spring (when you shouldn't be gettin' any mowah snow!).
- Submitted by Alice (Borgen) Carleton (from Old Town, Maine now living in exile!)

Rotary

n., A traffic circle. Somethin' Maine has nevah really figured out but tries to make in every "city".

R.S.V.P.

phrase, Foolishly thought by those fromaway to have something to do with the French and the favor of a prompt reply. Actually an admonition in the form of signs posted at campsites that a Racoon Sighting is Very Possible! "Pack up them foodstuffs mother, the crittahs are on the prowl again!"
- Submitted by Tony Cassista (from Moose Isle, Maine)

Rubub

n., A vegetable/fruit often baked in a pie.

Rud

n., Road.
- Submitted by Debbie Crouse (from Waldoboro, Rockland, and Portland, Maine)

Rugged

adj., Used to describe children that are "husky" as in "Ain't she rugged." It's a compliment, sort of.
- Submitted by Bill Cook (from Scarboro/Scarborough, Maine)

Runk

v., To get drunk: "Ya wanna get runk tnite? The ba is open til foura."
- Submitted by David Earnest (from Rockland, Maine) 

Saddee

n., The day after Friday. 

Same difference

n., Needs no explaining, don't you know! 
- Submitted by Pat and Pete

Savage

adj., Awesome or great: "That's just savage."
- Submitted by Marla Landry (Fort Kent, Maine)

Sawr

n. and/or v., Cuttin' tool or past tense of "to see". (ie: "I sawr you at the Fryeburg Fahah.")

Scrod

n., A small, ambiguous piece of fish that nevah knows if it's cod or haddock.

Scrote

n., A trashy or lowly person.
- Submitted by Britt Tucker (born in Bah Habah)

Shoo-ah

adv., Affirmative. (sure, sometimes used as "ah, sure") "Can I borrow your chainsaw?" "Ah, shoo-ah."
- Submitted by Jon Hughes (from Isle au Haut, Maine)

Short Hairs (the)

n., Generally where someone is caught in a pickle. "They tried to sneak out without payin' for the beer but old Ralph caught 'em by the short hairs."
- Submitted by Rodney Cole

Sideboards

n., These are not the kind you put on your truck...These are in the kitchen. Some people call them counter-tops, but us Mainahs use this term to confuse people from away. We also put sideboards on the truck to go pick up shavin's or a cod of wood.
- Submitted by Pat and Pete

Since Moses wore knee-pants

phrase, A really long time ago: "I ain't seen you since Moses wore knee-pants"
- Submitted by John Moore

Sinsuis

partial phrase, Since you are.... "Sinsuis up, get me a whole nothah one."
- Submitted by Nate Carr

Skidder

n., A heavy, four-wheel tractor used to haul logs, especially over rugged terrain. A specialized type with claws for picking up bundles of logs is known as a "grapple-skiddah". Skiddahs make and use "Skiddah-trails" and are owned and operated by members of the "skiddah-crowd" and often do double-duty as the ultimate form of tow truck for when a Mainah goes muddin' and gets in a real gaum: "We buried her so deep that we had to get a skiddah to yahd her out."
- Submitted by CB (from Dexter, Maine)

Skrid

n., A small piece or slice, often a second serving: "Sure could use just a skrid more of that blueberry pie."
- Submitted by Rodney Cole

Sled

n., Motorized vehicle for ridin on snow.
- Submitted by Jessie Seymour (5th Generation Mainah)

Slower than Molasses going uphill in January

phrase, Taking one's time.
- Submitted by Glenn Harmon (from Portland, Maine)

Smiggin

n., (pronounced with soft “g”) Wicked small porchun. “Want ‘smoah lobstah?” “Jista smiggin!”
- Submitted by BEM (as told by his fahtha, one Mainah to anutha)

Smokie

n., State Trooper.
- Submitted by Mark Dominique

So don't I

n., An example of the Maine negative-positive. Used like this: "I just love the food at Wendy's." "Oh, so don't I!"

Southernah

n., Anyone who lives below Kittery.
- Submitted by Brian J. Murray (from Bangor, Maine)

Spider

n., No not the BUG, but a cast iron frying pan.
- Submitted by Pat and Pete

Spleeny

adj., Annoying, in a child-like way: "That girl sure is actin' spleeny today!"
- Submitted by Carolyn Kraft (originally from Standish, Maine)

STORY: "She was recounting how, whenever she would start to cry and whine about some problem with the pigs or the horses or what have you, her father would admonish her with this statement: "Don't be a Spleeny Eva." Her name is Gloria, so I'm not sure what the Eva part is about." Anyone know why she was called "Eva"? - LoriLady
- Submitted by Ed Bertschy (son-in-law of a Mainah)

Spleeny-Jeannie

adj., Cranky (wonder if it comes from the word spleen--like a spleen actin' up or sumthin!)
- Submitted by Alice (Borgen) Carleton (from Old Town, Maine now living in exile!)

Statey

n., State Trooper
- Submitted by Marla Landry (Fort Kent, Maine)

Stove up

adj., Broken-bent, black and blue bruise, fenda benda.
- Submitted by Pat and Pete

Straphangers

n., City people who come to Maine in the summer (refers to how they ride subways the rest of the year).
- Submitted by Jim Hatch (from Castine, Maine)

Summah

n., One or two days in early August.
- Submitted by Brian J. Murray (from Bangor, Maine)

Summah complaints

n., Those chahmin' people who come "from away" and spend the summah being pissy.
- Submitted by Carolyn Kraft (originally from Standish, Maine) 

Summah visitah

n., A person from away who comes back every summah.
- Submitted by Will Anderson (on his way to bein' a yeah-round summah visitah ta Boothbay Hahbah)

Sundy

n., The day aftah Saddee.
- Submitted by Cathy Burns

'Sup?

n., Hello, how are you? 

Sumpin Fierce

adj., "I was fishin in the hahbah and the waves were hittin the dingay sumpin feeaahhse"

- Submitted by KD (born and raised in Downeast Maine)

Suppa

n., Evenin' mee-ul.
- Submitted by Jenny Morrison (from Augusta, Maine)

Swampdonkey

n., Moose
- Submitted by Angie Hafford (from Allagash, Maine)

Swig

v., To take a sip of something as in "Take a swig of this.".
- Submitted by Bill Cook (from Scarboro/Scarborough, Maine)

Swill

n., Garbage - "We put it out in the garbage pail under the apple trees, and the people from the pig farm collected it."
- Submitted by Jeff Holt (from Portland, Maine)

Tabernacle

phrase, What one says LOUDLY when they stub their toe.
- Submitted by Marla Landry (from Fort Kent, Maine)

Tah Boxed

v., Wicked reprimand foah somethin': "Tom was tah boxed by Edith when he forgot to leave th' papah foah her at the privy afta th' bean supa last January."
- Submitted by Stephen McDavitt (from Falmouth, Maine)

Tawk

v., Whot we do with owah mouth!
- Submitted by Elizabeth Williams Martin (from Waterville and Canaan and 7th genahraeshin Mainah) 

Taxachusetts

place, I wondah? Maine is getting to be worse, though. 
- Submitted by Carolyn Kraft (originally from Standish, Maine) 

Taxationland

place, Pretty obvious, right up there with Taxachusetts.
- Submitted by Norma (Native Mainah from Waldoboro, Maine)  

Tenants Hahbah/T. Hahbah

place, A small town in Mid Coast. 
- Submitted by Holly Vanorse (from Rockland, Maine) 

That them there

phrase, "I couldn't sleep 'cause of that them there kids up the street!". 
- Submitted by Holly Vanorse (from Rockland, Maine) 

Threaded

v., Directed: "Mahtha got her Ford's tiyas caught right in the mud and it threaded her right off into the puckerbush."
- Submitted by Stephen McDavitt (from Falmouth, Maine)

Thump

v., To punch someone or something "Did ya see Dana thump that guy?"
- Submitted by Todd McLeod (from Orono/Old Town, Maine)

Time

n., An event, party, social gala, bean suppa, etc. "Hey boys, goint the time 'night downt the fire barn?"
- Submitted by Dave Hilton (from York, Maine)

Toteroad

n., Woods road or cow path. If someone was bad or did something wrong, they were told to be good or they were "going to be sent up the toteroad!" 
- Submitted by Pat and Pete

Trape Cornna

place, Location where Routes 26 & 219 meet - Joe Perham's neighborhood.
- Submitted by Ernie Souther (from Moose Hill, Maine)

Tube Steak

n., A Downeast discription of a hot dog. 

Ugly

adj., To be upset, angry, or in a bad mood as in "I was so ugly.". It isn't often outside of Maine that someone would admit to this.
- Submitted by Bill Cook (from Scarboro/Scarborough, Maine)

Un-thaw

v., To thaw, as in: "Guess I'll unthaw summa that deer-meat fa suppa."
- Submitted by Jenny Morrison (from Augusta, Maine)

Upstaiah

n., The next floor. "I'm goin' upstaiah to pack."
- Submitted by Nan Worcester

Up tah

1. n., Any direction at all: "We went from Calais all the way up tah Boston." 2. v., Doing: "Ellory, what the hell you been up tah?"
- Submitted by John Moore

Useta

v., This is one of dem dar werds dat you'd say to yer kin's: "Pa - Ken you dun yet do a summer sault?"-"Well I useta beable ta."

Voc Boy

n., A vocational school student. The term "Voc Boy" is used to identify a class of student at a high school, much like the terms "Jock", "Prep", "Nerd", and "Druggy" are used to identify their respective classes of students; with the main criteria being that they are male and they attend vocational school learning things like carpentry, truck drivin' or automotive mechanics, as opposed to more conventional academic studies such as readin', writin' an' 'rithmetic.
- Submitted by CB (from Dexter, Maine)

Waddah

n., Wet stuff. 

Wahdin

n., The fella who busts ya if ya huntin' or fishin' the wrong way.
- Submitted by Nate Carr

Wailit

v., To hit something hard.
- Submitted by Pat and Pete

Wanna

v., When you ask a question - "Do ya wanna go with me?"
- Submitted by Michelle Marsh (from Eastport, Maine)

Wanna-go?

n., "Let's step outside to the parkin' lot and settle this like real men."

Wansday

n., Day after Tuesday.

Wawahf

n., A place to dock ya bo-at.
- Submitted by Rob B (West Coastah with Mainah fiancee)

Wayon

phrase, French slang meaning "Come on now" or "I don't believe you"
- Submitted by Marla Landry (Fort Kent, Maine)

Well I guess prob'ley

phrase, A general expression that both affirms and intensifies what someone else previously said: "Jeezus Clem it's cold outside" - "Well, I guess prob'ley, it's gut to be 10 below."
- Submitted by John Moore

Well there

phrase, Moosetowner's way of saying: "Well, ain't you ever full of sh*t!"
- Submitted by Angie Hafford (from Allagash, Maine)

West Gardna

place, Some whaya 'teen Litchfield 'n Hallowell - Gary Crocker's homeport.
- Submitted by Ernie Souther (from Moose Hill, Maine)

Whole 'notha

n., A complete replacement; "I got a whole 'notha computa on my desk now."

Wicked

adj., A general intensifier: "He's wicked nuts!"

Wicked awesome!

adj., Somethin' that's just absolutely too cool for words.

Wicked cunnin

adj., (Also "Ain't that cunnin") Special or cute.
- Submitted by KD (born and raised in Downeast Maine)

Wicked good!

adj., Somethin' that's way cool.

Winta

n., Season of year after Fall. It lasts about 8 months.
- Submitted by Michelle Marsh (from Eastport, Maine)

Yahd

n., The place where you pahk the cah when you ain't got a grudge.
- Submitted by Cathy Burns

Yankee Nod

n., A means of saying hello without actually speaking. Usually done while driving a pick-up, tractor or skidder. The yankee nod is when the person tips their head up and back and at the same time, and this is critically important, they open their mouth real wide.
- Submitted by Laugh Maine (from Bethel, Maine)

Yas Now

phrase, Another way of saying "Well there!" Usually said after someone tells a tall tale or something that makes no sense (Moosetown lingo).
- Submitted by Angie Hafford (from Allagash, Maine)

Yeah-round summah visitah

n., A permanent resident from away.
- Submitted by Will Anderson (on his way to bein' a yeah-round summah visitah ta Boothbay Hahbah)

Yesah

phrase, Excited version of ah-yuh.
- Submitted by Melanie Varney (from Blue Hill, Maine)

Yestidy

n., The day before t'day. 
- Submitted by Carolyn Kraft (originally from Standish, Maine) 

Yow uns

n., Children or "young ones."
- Submitted by Jeff Holt (from Portland, Maine)
Many thanks to Adam Gaffin who wrote "The Wicked Good Guide to Boston English". Also, thanks goes out to all of the wicked good Mainahs who have contributed to this list. You all are just WICKED AWESOME! Do you wanna contribute to the list? Mail me or stop by the Mainah Glossary Blog. (last update: 1-January-2007)