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Irreverent Maine Survival Tips
TALK MAINER
The locals talk pretty funny to folks not from Maine. It is similar to a Boston accident, but there are distinct differences. Here's a primer on how to speak like a 'Mainah.' First a warning: Don't try to talk Mainer to a 'Mainah.' They will spot you a mile away. The most common saying used to imitate "Mainer" is something like "I gotta go pahk the cah," or " Cahn't get they-uh from hee-uh." Rule 1: Words that end in "er" are pronounced "ah." For example: Mainer = Mainah. Car = Cah. Mother and Father = Muthah and Fathah. Water = Watah. Four = Foah. Rule 2: Words that end in "a" are sometimes, but not always, pronounced "er." For example: California becomes Californier. Idea becomes idear. Area becomes Arear. Rule 3: Drop the "g" in "ing." Stopping and starting = stoppin' and startin'. Rule 4: Broaden 'a' and 'e' sounds. Calf becomes cahf. Bath becomes bahth. Can't becomes cahn't. Rule 5: Combine rule No. 1 with No. 4. So, 'stopping and starting' is now 'stoppin' and stahtin.' Rule 6: Drag out one-syllable words into two syllables. 'There' becomes 'they-uh.' Here becomes hee-ah. Most famous is "Ayuh." Favorite Maine words or phrases: Ayuh: Yup. Sure. Okay. That's right. You Bet. Lobstah: Lobster Cah: A four wheel automobile, not a truck. Chowdah: Chowder Cunnin': Cute (Example: "In't that cunnin'") Foh-ah: The number "4" From Away: Not from Maine Numb: Dumb. Stupid. Pot: Lobster Trap or the bouy Steamers: Clams Wicked: Very. To a high degree, such as wicked good, wicked bad, wicked exciting, etc. |
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