27 fascinating maps that show how Americans speak English differently across the US
Most of the US says "you guys," while Southerners say "y'all."
![27 fascinating maps that show how Americans speak English differently across the US](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstaticbiassets.in%2Fthumb%2Fmsid-62358111%2Cwidth-700%2Cheight-525%2Cimgsize-227221%2Fmost-of-the-us-says-you-guys-while-southerners-say-yall-.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
No one can agree on whether to call it "soda," "pop," or "coke."
![No one can agree on whether to call it "soda," "pop," or "coke."](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-62358112,width-700,height-525,imgsize-232868/no-one-can-agree-on-whether-to-call-it-soda-pop-or-coke-.jpg)
There are a few pockets where people drink out of "bubblers" instead of water fountains or drinking fountains.
![There are a few pockets where people drink out of "bubblers" instead of water fountains or drinking fountains.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-62358113,width-700,height-525,imgsize-136842/there-are-a-few-pockets-where-people-drink-out-of-bubblers-instead-of-water-fountains-or-drinking-fountains-.jpg)
Is "mayonnaise" two syllables or three?
![Is "mayonnaise" two syllables or three?](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-62358114,width-700,height-525,imgsize-223845/is-mayonnaise-two-syllables-or-three.jpg)
Tiny lobsters are tearing the US apart.
![Tiny lobsters are tearing the US apart.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-62358115,width-700,height-525,imgsize-52936/tiny-lobsters-are-tearing-the-us-apart-.jpg)
There's a clear divide when it comes to pronouncing "pajamas."
![There](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-62358116,width-700,height-525,imgsize-149142/theres-a-clear-divide-when-it-comes-to-pronouncing-pajamas-.jpg)
Southerners say "lawyer" differently than the rest of the US.
![Southerners say "lawyer" differently than the rest of the US.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-62358117,width-700,height-525,imgsize-89565/southerners-say-lawyer-differently-than-the-rest-of-the-us-.jpg)
The name for this insect was one of the most divisive terms in the survey.
![The name for this insect was one of the most divisive terms in the survey.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-62358118,width-700,height-525,imgsize-91781/the-name-for-this-insect-was-one-of-the-most-divisive-terms-in-the-survey-.jpg)
If you pronounce "merry," "marry," and "Mary" differently, we have a good idea where you come from.
![If you pronounce "merry," "marry," and "Mary" differently, we have a good idea where you come from.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-62358119,width-700,height-525,imgsize-201923/if-you-pronounce-merry-marry-and-mary-differently-we-have-a-good-idea-where-you-come-from-.jpg)
Philadelphians love hoagies, while New Yorkers prefer heroes. But most people just call them subs.
![Philadelphians love hoagies, while New Yorkers prefer heroes. But most people just call them subs.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-62358120,width-700,height-525,imgsize-145594/philadelphians-love-hoagies-while-new-yorkers-prefer-heroes-but-most-people-just-call-them-subs-.jpg)
How about this word for diagonal?
![How about this word for diagonal?](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-62358121,width-700,height-525,imgsize-208301/how-about-this-word-for-diagonal.jpg)
Some people in the West say "freeway" where most Americans say "highway."
![Some people in the West say "freeway" where most Americans say "highway."](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-62358122,width-700,height-525,imgsize-207632/some-people-in-the-west-say-freeway-where-most-americans-say-highway-.jpg)
There's a ton of variation in how people pronounce "route."
![There](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-62358123,width-700,height-525,imgsize-69579/theres-a-ton-of-variation-in-how-people-pronounce-route-.jpg)
"Sneakers" is a distinctly Northern word … except for that pocket in South Florida.
!["Sneakers" is a distinctly Northern word … except for that pocket in South Florida.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-62358124,width-700,height-525,imgsize-201582/sneakers-is-a-distinctly-northern-word-except-for-that-pocket-in-south-florida-.jpg)
For a good chunk of Americans, "the City" refers specifically to New York City.
![For a good chunk of Americans, "the City" refers specifically to New York City.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-62358126,width-700,height-525,imgsize-207446/for-a-good-chunk-of-americans-the-city-refers-specifically-to-new-york-city-.jpg)
Americans can't agree on how to pronounce "crayon."
![Americans can](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-62358127,width-700,height-525,imgsize-228741/americans-cant-agree-on-how-to-pronounce-crayon-.jpg)
And "caramel" is just as polarizing.
![And "caramel" is just as polarizing.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-62358128,width-700,height-525,imgsize-234033/and-caramel-is-just-as-polarizing-.jpg)
Michigan and parts of the mid-Atlantic have special terms for the night before Halloween.
![Michigan and parts of the mid-Atlantic have special terms for the night before Halloween.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-62358129,width-700,height-525,imgsize-61772/michigan-and-parts-of-the-mid-atlantic-have-special-terms-for-the-night-before-halloween-.jpg)
For the South and part of the Midwest, it's OK to call coleslaw "slaw."
![For the South and part of the Midwest, it](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-62358130,width-700,height-525,imgsize-229705/for-the-south-and-part-of-the-midwest-its-ok-to-call-coleslaw-slaw-.jpg)
There's more than one way to pronounce "syrup."
![There](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-62358131,width-700,height-525,imgsize-228656/theres-more-than-one-way-to-pronounce-syrup-.jpg)
And states near the Canadian border have a unique way of saying "been."
![And states near the Canadian border have a unique way of saying "been."](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-62358132,width-700,height-525,imgsize-197839/and-states-near-the-canadian-border-have-a-unique-way-of-saying-been-.jpg)
Much of the population hasn't heard of drive-through liquor stores, which some Virginians call a "brew thru."
![Much of the population hasn](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-62358133,width-700,height-525,imgsize-245074/much-of-the-population-hasnt-heard-of-drive-through-liquor-stores-which-some-virginians-call-a-brew-thru-.jpg)
You'll never think of pecan pie the same way again.
![You](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-62358134,width-700,height-525,imgsize-226012/youll-never-think-of-pecan-pie-the-same-way-again-.jpg)
People in Alabama and Mississippi have a grim-sounding idiom for when it rains while the sun is shining.
![People in Alabama and Mississippi have a grim-sounding idiom for when it rains while the sun is shining.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-62358135,width-700,height-525,imgsize-205555/people-in-alabama-and-mississippi-have-a-grim-sounding-idiom-for-when-it-rains-while-the-sun-is-shining-.jpg)
Is it a roundabout, a traffic circle, or a rotary?
![Is it a roundabout, a traffic circle, or a rotary?](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-62358136,width-700,height-525,imgsize-238903/is-it-a-roundabout-a-traffic-circle-or-a-rotary.jpg)
Most people pronounce "Bowie knife" like the singer, but residents of Texas and Bowie, Maryland would beg to differ.
![Most people pronounce "Bowie knife" like the singer, but residents of Texas and Bowie, Maryland would beg to differ.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-62358137,width-700,height-525,imgsize-198363/most-people-pronounce-bowie-knife-like-the-singer-but-residents-of-texas-and-bowie-maryland-would-beg-to-differ-.jpg)
People in Appalachia put "icing" on their cake instead of "frosting."
![People in Appalachia put "icing" on their cake instead of "frosting."](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-62358138,width-700,height-525,imgsize-83236/people-in-appalachia-put-icing-on-their-cake-instead-of-frosting-.jpg)
This is an update of a post originally written by Walter Hickey.
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