Living in Maine means access to unspoiled natural beauty and the best seafood you can find in America. But, it also means having to learn a very specific kind of language. From foods names to place names, you’ll know someone from away from the way they say (or don’t say!) these very Maine words.
- Mattawamkeag
mdmarkus66 / Flickr This tiny town is located where the river of the same name meets the Penobscot. Seems like it means “Gravel bar at the mouth.” We think it might sounds like someone has gravel in their mouth when they say it.
- Hello
coreytempleton / Flickr In certain parts of Maine close to the Canadian border, you’ll find French spoken as much as English. If you’re prepared for a “Bonjour!” you’re probably pretty familiar with where you are.
- Calais
City of Calais / Facebook This Washington County town doesn’t sound like any fancy French town. Mainers know that it actually sounds exactly like the things you get on your hands after working too hard.
- Ayuh!
tigertabbyface / Flickr When someone say, “nice day in Maine today!” the proper response is “ayuh!” If you can say this with the right mix of in and out breath, you’re a Mainer!
- Mooselookmeguntic Lake
travelingotter / Flickr If you can’t say it, you might want to consider just heading to Sebago. If you can’t say that, maybe stick to Long Lake.
- Bangor
jjandames / Flickr Stephen King’s home doesn’t rhyme with “hanger!”
- Lobstah
pavdw / Flickr You can certainly include the “r” at the end of “lobster,” but why would you? As any Mainer will tell you, lobstah is best done here in Maine.
- Saco
sensibleabode / Flickr It’s got lots of tourists during the summer. You’ll know who they are when they start rhyming “Saco” with “wacko.”
- Meddybemps
carabou / Flickr Perhaps not all that hard to pronounce, but a fun one to say nevertheless. This is also the home of the Meddybemps Howler, also known as Maine’s own bigfoot.
- Willywags
navybluestripes / Flickr It’s not “in the middle of nowhere.” In Maine, you’re out in the willywags.
- Pocomoonshine Lake
Wendy / Flickr This lake is said to have a ghost story associated with it. If you visit and can’t say the name, the sea-ghost will come find you and force you to pronounce it until you’ve done it correctly. That’s not actually the story, but best to just get it right.
You know what else is quintessentially Maine? These 12 sentences that perfectly describe life here!
mdmarkus66 / Flickr
This tiny town is located where the river of the same name meets the Penobscot. Seems like it means “Gravel bar at the mouth.” We think it might sounds like someone has gravel in their mouth when they say it.
coreytempleton / Flickr
In certain parts of Maine close to the Canadian border, you’ll find French spoken as much as English. If you’re prepared for a “Bonjour!” you’re probably pretty familiar with where you are.
City of Calais / Facebook
This Washington County town doesn’t sound like any fancy French town. Mainers know that it actually sounds exactly like the things you get on your hands after working too hard.
tigertabbyface / Flickr
When someone say, “nice day in Maine today!” the proper response is “ayuh!” If you can say this with the right mix of in and out breath, you’re a Mainer!
travelingotter / Flickr
If you can’t say it, you might want to consider just heading to Sebago. If you can’t say that, maybe stick to Long Lake.
jjandames / Flickr
Stephen King’s home doesn’t rhyme with “hanger!”
pavdw / Flickr
You can certainly include the “r” at the end of “lobster,” but why would you? As any Mainer will tell you, lobstah is best done here in Maine.
sensibleabode / Flickr
It’s got lots of tourists during the summer. You’ll know who they are when they start rhyming “Saco” with “wacko.”
carabou / Flickr
Perhaps not all that hard to pronounce, but a fun one to say nevertheless. This is also the home of the Meddybemps Howler, also known as Maine’s own bigfoot.
navybluestripes / Flickr
It’s not “in the middle of nowhere.” In Maine, you’re out in the willywags.
Wendy / Flickr
This lake is said to have a ghost story associated with it. If you visit and can’t say the name, the sea-ghost will come find you and force you to pronounce it until you’ve done it correctly. That’s not actually the story, but best to just get it right.
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