Living in Maine means living a pretty unique life. We're used to the cold, we can drive in any kind of weather and there isn't a whole lot that can surprise us. While life isn't exactly predictable, there are some things we've come to expect. Some of these things include words and turns of phrases that feel so incredibly Maine that we can't help but laugh when we hear them. These are just a few of the sentences that describe life in Maine. Once you've read through them, come up with your own and leave them in the comments on Facebook!
1. You going upta camp this weekend?
When the weather gets warm, it's time to head upta camp. Confusing for out of staters, "camp" doesn't mean camping. It means heading to a small house on a lake, in the woods, or anywhere else that's beautiful and not your every day home.
2. You can't get there from here!
Or, you might be more accustomed to hearing it said more like, "you can't get thah from heah!" You'll heat it when asking for directions to someplace that doesn't have a direct route from the exact place to you currently sit. For instance, if you're in Berlin Maine and want to get to Starks, Maine. Just one of about a thousand examples!
3. Can't meet you today, I'm wicked busy.
People in Maine aren't just busy, tired, hungry, or lost. They're WICKED busy, tired, hungry, or lost.
4. It's just gonna be a dusting.
Except it's not. It's never a dusting. A dusting in Maine could be anywhere from 3 inches to 33 inches. Never trust a weather report that calls for a "dusting!"
5. Ice out has started, we'll be on the lake within a few weeks!
Maine winters are long and it can feel like ages before spring. In some states, the first signs are buds on the trees. While that might be true in Maine as well, we also have the excitement of ice out, which means lakes are passable from one end to the other.
6. I should have bought it when I saw it at Marden's!
At this point, anyone who goes to Marden's without buying something is just flirting with disaster. Because, as we all know, inevitably you will say the unavoidable phrase...
7. Better move the cah, there's a snow ban tonight.
If you live in a place like Portland, you've probably become used to these. Not only do you need to contend with buckets of snow, but you also need to figure out what to do with the car.
8. I could do with an Italian for lunch today!
That doesn't mean a plate of pasta, it means the best sandwich you can possibly find in Vacationland.
9. Did you hear what I heard at the bean supper?!
All kids with parents who went to bean suppers at the grange, know to quake in their boots. No gossip gets left out of a solid bean supper! Including all time you got in trouble at school the week before.
10. Ya need a hand with that?
Mainers are helpful. If we see a fellow Mainer in need we're likely to go as far as pulling over the car to help. But, we're also good for yard work, forest clean up and other outside needs!
11. Why do I live in a place where my face hurts when I go outside?
It's cold. So, very cold. All winter. And it's not pleasant.
12. I live through Maine winters for the beautiful summers!
And it's always worth it!
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For more Maine pride, check out this list of things all Mainers do at the first sight of spring. Guilty of any of them?
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