Watchoo Talking About, Chicagoans?

By Margaret Lyons in News on Nov 29, 2007 9:53PM

We got an e-mail today from a national travel magazine fact-checker wondering about local lingo. Some of the terms are definitely things we're familiar with, but..."the prairie"? Huh. Let 'er rip, cats and kittens.

Would you agree that while the term "Chi-Town" means "Chicago," it's rarely spoken by a resident?

Does the term "dees and doze guy" refer to a working class local who speaks with a Chicago accent?

Does the term "dragged through the garden" refer to a hot dog with all the trimmings: Mustard, relish, onion, sport peppers, tomato wedges, and dill pickle spear?

Does the term "Hizonner" refer to the mayor, usually the first Richard J. Daley but sometimes current Richard M. Daley?

Does the term "The Hawk" refer to the wind off Lake Michigan, especially in the winter?

Does the term "the prairie" refer to an empty city lot?

Is the term "Trixie" a derogatory term for pretty, shallow, upwardly mobile young women in the Lincoln Park neighborhood?

Is the term "Chads" a derogatory term for attractive, shallow, upwardly mobile young men in the Lincoln Park neighborhood?

Some of this list earns a hearty "hee."

Any excuse to post an only-connect skyline shot

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