"Indianaisms"
or Sometimes You Just Need a Translator
I’m an Ohio girl, through and through. I’ve lived in Columbus, Bowling Green, Perrysburg (outside of Toledo), Shaker Heights, Cleveland and Geneva. However, my roots are firmly planted in the Hoosier State. Both my parents were born and raised in Indiana. My father’s father was a letter carrier during the 30s, 40s and 50s; my father’s mother was an elementary school teacher. My uncle was a county engineer and my other grandfather helped design auto parts for the General Motors in Indiana. Our family never lived in Indiana, but I spent most summers there with my grandparents. I guess that’s how I picked up my “Indiana-isms”.
I never realized these idioms were unique until I got married. My husband, born and raised in Trumbull County, Ohio and with some interesting phrases and words of his own, has been quick and relentless in pointing them out. The (incomplete) list includes…
“Keep your eyes peeled”, meaning to be alert. (yes, painful, I suppose)
“You can tell me to go soak my head”, meaning you can tell me to “bug off”.
“That didn’t agree with me” (said when your stomach isn’t feeling quite right)
“Lightening bugs” (fireflies, to Ohioans). My grandparents also maintained that these critters foreshadowed the end of summer by six weeks, which I believed for decades, but don’t think is really true.
“Tennis shoes.” (any soft-soled shoes, for whatever purpose.)
“Tree lawn”. (the strip of land between the street and the sidewalk.)
“kitty corner” (aka diagonal)
So, if you happen to run into me at church, the market or a craft show, this should help you better understand what I’m talking about. Every region has its special ways of saying things. At least my sentences don’t include “redding up” and “you’uns”. ;-)