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Illinois

Illinois slang: regional words, sayings, and how locals talk.

This page collects regional vocabulary from Illinois: slang you'll hear in conversation, sayings that travel through families, and pronunciations that mark a person as a local. Pick a city to narrow the list, or keep "All cities" to see the full Illinois picture.

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All cities Chicago

8 words

gym shoes Regional

Sneakers (the Chicago name).

Illinois, Chicago

An annoying or contemptible person.

Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh · Illinois, Chicago

Buckwheat groats (porridge).

New York, New York City · New Jersey · Illinois, Chicago

kielbasa Loanword

Polish-style smoked sausage.

Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh · Michigan, Detroit · Ohio, Cleveland · New York, Buffalo · +1 more

A short, polite "excuse me" interjection.

Minnesota · Wisconsin · Iowa · Michigan · +3 more

pierogi Loanword

Stuffed dumpling (potato + cheese is canonical).

Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh · Ohio, Cleveland · New York, Buffalo · Illinois, Chicago · +1 more

Soft drink (the Midwest answer to "soda").

Ohio · Michigan · Wisconsin · Minnesota · +5 more

the Lake Phrase

Lake Michigan (when said in Chicago).

Illinois, Chicago