New York isn’t just a state—it’s a whole attitude. From the honk-happy chaos of the city to the maple-drenched calm of the Adirondacks, New Yorkers speak a language filled with sarcasm, speed, and very strong food opinions. If you’ve ever defended your pizza joint like it was a family member or used “upstate” to describe 85% of the state, congrats—you’re already one of us.
1. “I’m from New York.”
Automatically assumed to mean NYC unless you immediately follow it with, “…not the city.”
2. “I’ll meet you on the corner of 23rd and Lex.”
Only in New York do you give directions using intersections like you’re dropping GPS pins with your brain.
3. “Get a bacon, egg, and cheese on a roll. Salt, pepper, ketchup.”
A full sentence. A full meal. A full New York experience.
4. “That’s not pizza.”
Said while staring in disgust at anything thicker than 1/8 inch or with pineapple on it.
5. “We don’t pump our own gas. Wait—wrong state.”
You had a Jersey flashback. It happens. Shake it off.
6. “I’m going upstate for the weekend.”
Could mean the Catskills, the Adirondacks, or literally anywhere that isn’t the five boroughs.
7. “The LIRR’s delayed again.”
Translation: You’re going to be late, annoyed, and possibly stuck in Ronkonkoma forever.
8. “Did you take the F train? Rookie mistake.”
There are right trains and wrong trains. You’ll find out the hard way.
9. “You got a guy?”
This could mean for haircuts, bagels, plumbers, or illegal fireworks. Yes. Yes, we all have a guy.
10. “I pay how much for rent?”
Said monthly. Usually followed by silence, then denial.
11. “Bagels don’t taste the same anywhere else.”
And they don’t. Don’t argue. It’s the water. It’s always the water.
12. “Fuggedaboutit.”
A greeting, an insult, an expression of joy, rage, or agreement. Use wisely.
If these phrases made perfect sense, congrats—you’re a real New Yorker, whether you’re in Buffalo, Brooklyn, or somewhere in between. If not, take a walk, get a dollar slice, and complain about traffic like your life depends on it. You’ll be yelling “I’m walkin’ here!” with the best of them in no time.
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