People from other states have come to expect our love of lobster rolls and mostly understand what we mean when we say we’ll pick them up in the “cah.” But, ask them to grab something “downcellah” and you’ll probably be left going down there yourself. As Mainiacs we are, quite literally, misunderstood. Here are just a few of the words you might only know if you’ve spent time in Maine. While some of these you may only hear your grandparents say, at one time or another these were pretty commonplace in certain areas.

1. "Downcellah" - A place underneath the main floor of your house. Probably cold and musty. Possibly only uttered by your great-grandparents.
U.S. National Archives / Flickr
"Grab the snowshoes downcellah!"
2. "Can't get thah from hee-ah!" - You'll hear this if you ask for directions to a place nobody knows about. Or, you might literally not be able to get there without first going North or South.
Mark Stevens / Flickr
"Lubec? You can't get thah from hee-yah, bub!"
3. "Cunnin" - Something cute or adorable.
bullcitydogs / Flickr
"You see the new puppy? It's a cunnin' little thing!"
4. "Door Yahd" - This is a hotly contested one among folks here. Is it where you park the car? Is it where you take off your boots? Is it both? I guess it's up for interpretation.
smilla4 / Flickr
"Go play in the door yahd, but don't bring the mud in!"
5. "Ayuh!" - A general acknowledgement that someone said something. Not always agreement, but not exactly disagreement.
Ancient History / Flickr
"We're gonna get a dustin' of about 6 inches tonight." "Ayuh!"

Related Stories

This Speakeasy Hidden In A Local Eatery In Maine Is Perfect For A Date Night

This Speakeasy Hidden In A Local Eatery In Maine Is Perfect For A Date Night

 This Incredible Flower Road Trip Through Maine Is The Ultimate Spring Adventure

This Incredible Flower Road Trip Through Maine Is The Ultimate Spring Adventure

 This Is The Most Maine Sound You'll Ever Hear, And We Can't Stop Listening To It

This Is The Most Maine Sound You'll Ever Hear, And We Can't Stop Listening To It
6. "Willy Wacks" - This is, pretty much, the middle of nowhere. Sometimes it's "willy-wags" instead.
Navy Blue Stripes / Flickr
"They live over thah in the willy-wacks. Can't get thah from hee-ah!"
7. "Beans" - In other states, this might be something you have with dinner. In Maine, it's the place you go for your boots and backpacks.
kmf164 / Flickr
"Yeah, I know it's 2 am, but let's go buy socks - Beans is open all night!"
8. "Flatlandah" - Someone from a big city - probably Portland. They've never been to the willy-wacks and are used to...flat land.
Corey Templeton / Flickr
"Couple of flatlandahs came through this morning. Had no idea where they were, but meant to get to Acadia."
9. "Stove Up" - If you get into a fender bender and end up with some major repairs you've "stove-up" your car.
Alex & Rachel Johnson / Flickr
"He hit a moose up there in Rangeley and stove-up his Subaru real bad."
10. "From Away" - Used to describe anyone who wasn't born in Maine.
Breezy Baldwin / Flickr
"Smitty? He moved to Waterville from Mass about 15 years ago - he's from away."

What are the words or phrases you grew up with? Do you use any of these differently? Let us know in the comments so we can create a second edition of this list!

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Related Articles