Published
You don't pronounce the "s" at the end of Illinois.
You become irate at people who do.
You measure distance in minutes. (SO?)
You have no problem spelling or pronouncing "Des >Plaines," (You got it!)
Your school classes were canceled because of the cold.
Your school classes were canceled because of the heat.
You've ever had to switch from "heat" to "A/C" in the same day.
Stores don't have sacks, they have bags. (DUH!)
You end your sentences with an unnecessary preposition. Example: Where's my coat at?" or "If you go to the mall I wanna go with," (is there something wrong with this)?
You can locate Illinois on the United States map.
Your idea of a great tenderloin is when the meat is twice as big as the bun and accompanied only by ketchup and a dill pickle slice. (YEAH!)
When asked how your trip was to any foreign, exotic place, you say "It was different."
You carry jumper cables in your car.
You drink "pop." (Exactly)
You realize that I-290, I-90, I-94, and I-294 are all different roads.
You refer to any interstate highway as "the Tollway."
You know the names of the intestates: Stevenson, Kennedy, Eisenhower, Dan Ryan.
You refer to anything South of I-80 as "Southern Illinois."
You refer to Lake Michigan as "The Lake."
You refer to Chicago as "The City."
No matter where you are, when you hear the term "Downtown" you immediately assume they're talking about Downtown Chicago.
You have two favorite football teams: The Bears, and anyone who beats the Packers.
You buy "The Trib."
You know what goes on a Chicago Style Hot Dog.
You know what Chicago Style Pizza REALLY is.
You know why they call Chicago "The Windy City."
You understand what "lake-effect" means.
You know the difference between Amtrak and Metra, and know which station they end up at.
You have ridden the "L."
You can distinguish between the following area codes: 847, 630, 773, 708, 312, & 815.
You know what the phone number is to Empire Carpet. (588-2300 E M P I R E!!)
In Chicago, there's a Comcast Cable commercial running now.
2 cyclists are sitting in front of the museum discussing the value of cable & the "profound one" starts sprouting his wisdom in some sort new yawk accent or something that doesn't sound anything like anyone I've ever known in Chicago.
>sheeesssh
Ok, can I just say my sister and I were having this conversation earlier about how here in Illinois we measure everything by minutes, not miles?!?! She was visiting my cousin in Green Bay and my cousin said something about it's 20 miles and my sister is sitting there waiting....waiting for the minutes...
I love these things about Illinois because they are sooooooo true!!!
Sorry Anon Nurse. You are referring to the "traditional", delicious meaning of tenderloin.We are referring to a bad cut of pork, hammered to 1/4 inch thickness and the size of a dinner plate, breaded, deep fried to golden perfection, and eaten on a bun with dill pickle. Some of the best junk food you'll ever have, and you'll be full for days afterward! Try "R Place Restaurant" in Morris, or stop in Frank Polancic's Butcher Shop in Ottawa for frozen tenderloins to take home.
I've probably grossed you out.
I grew up in Peoria, IL, and there was a restaurant (Hunt's) which served the pork tenderloin sandwich axactly as you describe above! Size of dinner plate, kinda chewy. Unfortunately, this fine establishment has closed.
Oldiebutgoodie
(downstater)
Hi, I've lived most of my life in Illinois, but have been to Chicago area only 2-3 times many years ago. Springfield is "up North". Did y'all know we can pick a Chicagoan any time? You don't talk like we do down here.
Is there no one else on here South of Springfield?
You know what the funny thing is...a lot of people can pick out Chicagoans because of our "accent" (even though I don't think we have one). I think we tend to talk faster and articulate our word more as well. I have noticed this now that it has been pointed out.
I was in the Bahamas years ago and I had a few people ask me if I was from Chicago. IN THE BAHAMAS! I don't live IN Chicago, but I am about 45 minutes North, so not too far. Just cracks me up that people can tell!
You know what the Spaghetti Bowl is. :)
I also live "just south" of I-80 and don't consider myself in Southern Illinois....but my mom does lol.
I called a person I knew online, she was going through a divorce. Through her hysterical sobs she starts laughing when she hears my voice because of my Chicago accent.
roflmao, me to a T 28 years of my life here. I seriously live on the north side of the edge of 80 and any visits to the other side are brief and considered "trips". thanks so much for this post. gotta sent it to FIL, he worked construction in chicago for a significant portion of his life. way too many stories 'bout going outa state or 'down south'.
rnmomtobe2010
1,051 Posts
I must say that I am from Memphis Tennessee. I have lived in Illinois the last 2 years and about 90% of these apply to me. It is so easy to have habits rub off on others. I fell so honored to be apart of this one.