Jawn (/jôn/)
A term used by New York transplants to pander to locals and/or cynically promote their recently opened boutique, restaurant, or bakery.
“Come celebrate the grand opening of our new French-Belgian infusion cafe on Shunk. We’re calling it Merde Jawn.”
Parking Space (/ˈpärkiNG/ /spās/)
Any spot in a bike lane, sidewalk, or even a turning lane, apparently.
“Whaddaya mean I can’t stop my car in the middle of a one-way street? I got my hazards on, just go around.”
Philly Native (/ˈfilē/ /ˈnādiv/)
How people born and raised in South Jersey or Delaware County describe themselves.
“Well, I grew up about an hour outside of Philly. But my Mom-mom lived in Rhawnhurst once, so I’m pretty much a Philly native.”
Cheesesteak (/ˈCHēzˌstāk/)
An honestly pretty basic sandwich that locals insist is only worth getting from one particular, out-of-the-way restaurant that just so happens to be in the neighborhood where they grew up.
“Pat’s and Geno’s sucks. You need to go to this inconvenient cheesesteak place that is haunted by all the rats the line cook killed over the years.”
Rocky Steps (/ˈräkē/ /steps/)
Located in the Art Museum Area, these steps were made famous by Sylvester Stallone in the movie Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot (CITATION NEEDED). Atop the steps is a bronze statue of Stallone, along with a large building that, as far as Philadelphians are concerned, is abandoned and contains nothing of value.
“Rumor has it that the building at the Rocky steps is a museum. But who cares? Museums are nerd shit.”
Irish Potatoes (/ˈīriSH/ /pəˈtādōs/)
A confectionery made from traditional Irish ingredients like… coconut.
“Your nephew Joey made some Irish potatoes in his kindee-garten class. Take some home with you. I don’t need all that friggin’ candy in the house.”
“Hello, how are you?” (/həˈlō,heˈlō/ /hou/ /är,ər/ /yoo,yə/)
A phrase that, when said to a stranger, may potentially result in you catching a beating.
“All I said was ‘Hello, how are you’ as I passed him in Suburban Station and when I came to I was covered in grease and dangling from a pole on Broad Street.”
Wooder Ice (/wooded/ /īs/)
Each spring, South Philadelphia residents gather to shear the Phillie Phanatic. His fur is then collected, frozen, and mixed with sugar to create this delectable, redundantly named treat.
“Hop on that footstool and start shaving the Phanatic’s back. We need to get this crap ready for opening day.”
Dickhead (/ˈdikˌ(h)ed/)
The thing that you see when you look at your own face in the mirror.
“Go Birds, dickhead!”
