15 Funny Words And Phrases People From Ohio Say
April Dray
Author
Ohio sayings are often misunderstood, and that’s because they’re part of a language that’s all our own. From strange sports-related references to mispronunciations, we keep our Ohio slang pretty distinct. We like to think the things Ohioans say are what make us so special. If you’re ever wondering how to know someone is from Ohio, these Ohio phrases are a pretty good clue. So unload the warsh and take off your tennis shoes (keep reading if you’re confused), and enjoy the following list of funny Ohio words (and take note of which ones you say):
1. “O-H” means we desire an “I-O” reply.
2. “Sweeper” refers to a vacuum cleaner.
3. “Warsh” is just “wash” -- with style.
4. “The boot” refers to the trunk of a car.
5. "The Three C’s” are: Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati.
6. "JC Penney’s," “Kroger’s,” and “Meijer’s” are what you think they are.
7. B-Dub’s = BW3’s = Buffalo Wild Wings.
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8. "Who Dey” is simply how Bengals fans cheer.
9. "The Shoe" is a proper noun here.
10. Also, "The Jake" is not a person.
11. When you ask us *where* somewhere or something is, we won’t actually tell you where it is.
12. “You’re fine,” means “No problem” or “No worries.”
13. Sneakers and athletic footwear are strictly “tennis shoes” here.
14. When we say “Put that up,” we don’t always mean you need to physically place the object in an upward direction.
15. “Pop” is the dead giveaway of an Ohioan.
Did you know about all of these funny Ohio sayings? If you knew 15 out of 15 of the above Ohio words, congratulations – you’re from Ohio! What are some other fun pieces of Ohio slang? Let us know in the comments section. And if you’re looking for more signs you’re from Ohio, these Ohio mannerisms will have you cracking up.
In addition to our unique language, the Buckeye State’s plethora of natural wonders set us apart from everyone else. Ash Cave Waterfall in Hocking Hills State Park is such a gem, and you can see it in all its glory in our YouTube video:
If you’re interested in hiking to Ash Cave, check out the half-mile trail on AllTrails – and don’t forget to sign up for AllTrails+ for perks such as offline map access.
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More to Explore
Phrases People From Ohio Say
What are some fun facts about Ohio?
Take a look at some of the coolest fun facts about Ohio!
- The first professional city fire department was in Cincinnati.
- Cleveland was the first city to be lighted by electricity.
- Ohio has the largest Amish population in the U.S.
- In Ohio, it is illegal to get a fish drunk.
What's the deal with people spelling out O-H-I-O?
There is a ton of state pride here in Ohio, and yes, Ohioans often randomly yell out “O-H” and fully anticipate an “I-O” reply. And most of the time, they get it! The citizens want to know where their fellow Buckeyes are! (To that end, locals also like to spell out O-H-I-O with our arms. It's just what we do.)
Where are some historic towns in Ohio?
One of the things we love best about the Buckeye State is its rich, vibrant history, and there are plenty of historic towns in Ohio. Some of our favorites are:
- Marietta: Located in the eastern part of the state, Marietta is Ohio’s oldest town. Marietta was founded in 1788 by General Rufus Putnam and a group of Revolutionary War veterans.
- Chillicothe: Ohio's first capital, Chillicothe is home to a number of old buildings and historic sites. No matter how many times you've visited this charming town, there's always something new to discover.
- Greenville: One of the last working grist mills in America is located in Greenville. Bear's Mill was built in 1849.