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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

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."

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.

Is "mayonnaise" two syllables or three?

Is "mayonnaise" two syllables or three?

Tiny lobsters are tearing the US apart.

Tiny lobsters are tearing the US apart.

There's a clear divide when it comes to pronouncing "pajamas."

There

Southerners say "lawyer" differently than the rest of the US.

Southerners say "lawyer" differently than the rest of the US.

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.

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.

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.

How about this word for diagonal?

How about this word for diagonal?

Some people in the West say "freeway" where most Americans say "highway."

Some people in the West say "freeway" where most Americans say "highway."

There's a ton of variation in how people pronounce "route."

There

"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.

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.

Americans can't agree on how to pronounce "crayon."

Americans can

And "caramel" is just as polarizing.

And "caramel" is just as polarizing.

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.

For the South and part of the Midwest, it's OK to call coleslaw "slaw."

For the South and part of the Midwest, it

There's more than one way to pronounce "syrup."

There

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."

Much of the population hasn't heard of drive-through liquor stores, which some Virginians call a "brew thru."

Much of the population hasn

You'll never think of pecan pie the same way again.

You

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.

Is it a roundabout, a traffic circle, or a rotary?

Is it a roundabout, a traffic circle, or a rotary?

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.

People in Appalachia put "icing" on their cake instead of "frosting."

People in Appalachia put "icing" on their cake instead of "frosting."

This is an update of a post originally written by Walter Hickey.




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