"New York-isms": How to Talk Like a New Yorker
New Yorkers have a vocabulary all their own. Some of the words are have evolved from the English language and others come from the many immigrant communities in the city. Here are some of the most used “New Yorkisms” that I hear, sometimes on a daily basis!
Bodega: (Spanish) a small corner convenience store
The City: used when referring to New York City.
Straphangers: a standing passenger on a bus, subway, or train
Bridge and Tunnel: used when referring to those that live in the suburbs, mostly Jersey or Long Island
Pie: pizza
Coffee regular: refers to coffee with cream and sugar
Stand on line: to stand in a line
Lox and a Schmear: a bagel with smoked salmon and cream cheese
Kitch: (Yiddish) referring to tasteless style. Also, kitchy (adj)
Hero: a submarine sandwich
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1 Comment
This is a great list, and mostly 100% accurate.
However when one says The City, they are usually referring to Manhattan even tho brooklyn, queens, bronx, staten island are also part of NYC.
I grew up in the bronx and when we were going “downtown” it meant we were going to “the city”.
Now I’m a long islander and we still say let’s go to “the city” meaning manhattan.