There are some words and phrases that if you hear them, you immediately look up: That’s a New Jerseyan right there! Whether they were raised in the state or simply spent some time living there — if they know the specific Jersey lingo, well, they’re one of us.
- Pork Roll
Hoagitos/Facebook A pork roll (or a Taylor ham sandwich) is simply the king of all New Jersey foods.
- Benny
mattpaul via Getty Images Oh, you do not want a New Jersey resident calling you a “benny.” It refers to a louder, flashier tourist from New York or northern Jersey causing havoc on the Jersey Shore.
- Down the Shore
Gregory Adams via Getty Images There’s only one way to describe a beach visit in New Jersey, and that’s by saying “down the shore.”
- What exit?
Tashka via Getty Images Ask people what town they’re from? In New Jersey, no way. Everybody uses exit numbers to determine location.
- Disco Fries
bri/Flickr These are the highlight of every Jersey diner: just fries smothered in cheese and gravy. It’s as heavenly as it sounds.
- Piney
Cavan Images via Getty Images “Pineys” is a way of referring to residents of the Pine Barrens area of New Jersey.
- Jersey Devil
Philadelphia Post/Wikipedia Is this terrifying winged creature really stalking New Jersey? We’re not taking any chances.
- Djeetyet?
Papa’s Tomato Pies/Facebook We’re simply asking if you ate yet!
9.Jug Handles
georgeolsson via Getty Images They’re hard to explain to out-of-staters (and it’s funny to watch them attempt the jug handles), but it’s basically a unique way of making a left turn while driving in New Jersey.
What others New Jersey-specific words and phrases do you know?
Hoagitos/Facebook
A pork roll (or a Taylor ham sandwich) is simply the king of all New Jersey foods.
mattpaul via Getty Images
Oh, you do not want a New Jersey resident calling you a “benny.” It refers to a louder, flashier tourist from New York or northern Jersey causing havoc on the Jersey Shore.
Gregory Adams via Getty Images
There’s only one way to describe a beach visit in New Jersey, and that’s by saying “down the shore.”
Tashka via Getty Images
Ask people what town they’re from? In New Jersey, no way. Everybody uses exit numbers to determine location.
bri/Flickr
These are the highlight of every Jersey diner: just fries smothered in cheese and gravy. It’s as heavenly as it sounds.
Cavan Images via Getty Images
“Pineys” is a way of referring to residents of the Pine Barrens area of New Jersey.
Philadelphia Post/Wikipedia
Is this terrifying winged creature really stalking New Jersey? We’re not taking any chances.
Papa’s Tomato Pies/Facebook
We’re simply asking if you ate yet!
georgeolsson via Getty Images
They’re hard to explain to out-of-staters (and it’s funny to watch them attempt the jug handles), but it’s basically a unique way of making a left turn while driving in New Jersey.
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