Depending on which region in Maryland you live in, you may be guilty of using the following phrases. It seems each region has its own unique blend of Maryland slang. From chicken neckers to hand warshin’, these Maryland phrases make it seem like Marylanders have a language all their own. Have you ever used any of these weird things Marylanders say?

  1. Hi, Hon!

zizzybaloobah/Flickr Hon is used as a term of endearment. If someone calls you hon, embrace it.

  1. We’re going downy oshun.

m01229/Flickr Going to the beach? Then you’re going downy oshun.

  1. Can you get me some warter from the zinc?

Gioconda Beekman/Flickr This is a two-for-one! What is it about adding an r to water that just seems to flow right?

  1. Be sure to warsh your hands!

Ruth/Flickr Another example of Marylanders adding r to words.

  1. They’re a bunch’a chicken neckers.

BelindaMariepix/Flickr If you’re not from the eastern shore, then you’re a chicken necker. The term came from tourists coming to the eastern shore who often use chicken necks to catch crabs from the pier.

  1. You from Bawlmer?

Lee Burchfield/Flickr For some Marylanders, the word Baltimore only requires two syllables.

  1. Can I pet your dug?

A_Peach/Flickr Seriously, that dug is the cutest.

  1. Can I hold your pen?

Paul Varuni/Flickr If you’ve ever worked in an office in Maryland, then someone may have asked to hold (borrow) your pen.

  1. How bout them O’s?

NASA HQ PHOTO/Flickr O’s is the short and sweet way to refer to the Baltimore Orioles.

  1. Will ya grab me a Natty Boh?

Isaac Wedin/Flickr When talking about Maryland’s favorite beer, National Bohemian sounds so formal. It’s Natty Boh to locals.

  1. Wanna get a sno-ball?

robbiesaurus/Flickr Snowballs aren’t just for wintertime. In Maryland, they’re a summertime favorite, preferably topped with marshmallow cream.

  1. That’s a whole nother story.

Antoine K/Flickr Usually said while gossiping. Don’t even get me started, cuz that’s a whole nother story.

  1. There’s no place like Merlin.

BrianSwan/Flickr It’s just the best. Period.

Are you guilty of using unique Maryland slang with out-of-towners that just don’t understand the weird things Marylanders say? Any you would add to the list? If you are living in Maryland currently or have spent some time here in the past, feel free to share a few humdingers with us! For more Maryland sayings, click here.

zizzybaloobah/Flickr

Hon is used as a term of endearment. If someone calls you hon, embrace it.

m01229/Flickr

Going to the beach? Then you’re going downy oshun.

Gioconda Beekman/Flickr

This is a two-for-one! What is it about adding an r to water that just seems to flow right?

Ruth/Flickr

Another example of Marylanders adding r to words.

BelindaMariepix/Flickr

If you’re not from the eastern shore, then you’re a chicken necker. The term came from tourists coming to the eastern shore who often use chicken necks to catch crabs from the pier.

Lee Burchfield/Flickr

For some Marylanders, the word Baltimore only requires two syllables.

A_Peach/Flickr

Seriously, that dug is the cutest.

Paul Varuni/Flickr

If you’ve ever worked in an office in Maryland, then someone may have asked to hold (borrow) your pen.

NASA HQ PHOTO/Flickr

O’s is the short and sweet way to refer to the Baltimore Orioles.

Isaac Wedin/Flickr

When talking about Maryland’s favorite beer, National Bohemian sounds so formal. It’s Natty Boh to locals.

robbiesaurus/Flickr

Snowballs aren’t just for wintertime. In Maryland, they’re a summertime favorite, preferably topped with marshmallow cream.

Antoine K/Flickr

Usually said while gossiping. Don’t even get me started, cuz that’s a whole nother story.

BrianSwan/Flickr

It’s just the best. Period.

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The OIYS Visitor Center

Weird things Marylanders say December 06, 2021 Beth C. What is Maryland known for? Maryland is known for many beautiful natural areas, National treasures, historic places, and welcoming people. Here are a few things that make Maryland unique:

Chesapeake Bay Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge Antietam National Battlefield Ocean City Calvert Cliffs State Park Smith Island Billy Goat Trail Backbone Mountain National Harbor Swallow Falls State Park Deep Creek Lake Chesapeake City Mallows Bay Point Lookout Lighthouse Assateague Island Fort Frederick Jug Bay Patapsco Valley State Park

If you’re planning on visiting the great state of Maryland, you can look forward to experiencing extraordinary natural sites, impressive historic landmarks, friendly people, and an assortment of impressive attractions. Maryland is perhaps most famously known for being the home of the Chesapeake Bay, out of which are sourced some of the best blue crabs and seafood in the world. The capital of Maryland is Baltimore, which historically has served as a major trading post for the U.S. While planning your trip to the Old Line State, be sure to have your bucket list handy. This list may include any of the following Maryland destinations: Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, Antietam National Battlefield, Ocean City, Baltimore, Calvert Cliffs State Park, Smith Island, Billy Goat Trail, Backbone Mountain, National Harbor, Swallow Falls State Park, Deep Creek Lake, Chesapeake City, Mallows Bay, Point Lookout Lighthouse, the Chesapeake Bay, Assateague Island, Annapolis, Fort Frederick, Berlin, Jug Bay, and Patapsco Valley State Park. Learn more about these bucket-list-worthy Maryland destinations. What are the best parks in Maryland? Some of the best state parks in Maryland include:

Gathland State Park Washington Monument State Park Casselman River Bridge State Park Chapman State Park St. Clement’s Island State Park Purse State Park Bill Burton Fishing Pier State Park Wye Oak State Park Fort Frederick State Park Herrington Manor State ParkThere’s perhaps no better way to explore the state of Maryland than by getting out and experiencing the great outdoors. Fortunately, Maryland has tons of dedicated parks that will show you the beauty of the state. Learn more about some of the best state parks in Maryland.

The OIYS Visitor Center

Weird things Marylanders say

December 06, 2021

Beth C.

What is Maryland known for? Maryland is known for many beautiful natural areas, National treasures, historic places, and welcoming people. Here are a few things that make Maryland unique:

Chesapeake Bay Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge Antietam National Battlefield Ocean City Calvert Cliffs State Park Smith Island Billy Goat Trail Backbone Mountain National Harbor Swallow Falls State Park Deep Creek Lake Chesapeake City Mallows Bay Point Lookout Lighthouse Assateague Island Fort Frederick Jug Bay Patapsco Valley State Park

If you’re planning on visiting the great state of Maryland, you can look forward to experiencing extraordinary natural sites, impressive historic landmarks, friendly people, and an assortment of impressive attractions. Maryland is perhaps most famously known for being the home of the Chesapeake Bay, out of which are sourced some of the best blue crabs and seafood in the world. The capital of Maryland is Baltimore, which historically has served as a major trading post for the U.S. While planning your trip to the Old Line State, be sure to have your bucket list handy. This list may include any of the following Maryland destinations: Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, Antietam National Battlefield, Ocean City, Baltimore, Calvert Cliffs State Park, Smith Island, Billy Goat Trail, Backbone Mountain, National Harbor, Swallow Falls State Park, Deep Creek Lake, Chesapeake City, Mallows Bay, Point Lookout Lighthouse, the Chesapeake Bay, Assateague Island, Annapolis, Fort Frederick, Berlin, Jug Bay, and Patapsco Valley State Park. Learn more about these bucket-list-worthy Maryland destinations. What are the best parks in Maryland? Some of the best state parks in Maryland include:

Gathland State Park Washington Monument State Park Casselman River Bridge State Park Chapman State Park St. Clement’s Island State Park Purse State Park Bill Burton Fishing Pier State Park Wye Oak State Park Fort Frederick State Park Herrington Manor State ParkThere’s perhaps no better way to explore the state of Maryland than by getting out and experiencing the great outdoors. Fortunately, Maryland has tons of dedicated parks that will show you the beauty of the state. Learn more about some of the best state parks in Maryland.

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

Maryland is known for many beautiful natural areas, National treasures, historic places, and welcoming people. Here are a few things that make Maryland unique:

  • Chesapeake Bay
  • Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge
  • Antietam National Battlefield
  • Ocean City
  • Calvert Cliffs State Park
  • Smith Island
  • Billy Goat Trail
  • Backbone Mountain
  • National Harbor
  • Swallow Falls State Park
  • Deep Creek Lake
  • Chesapeake City
  • Mallows Bay
  • Point Lookout Lighthouse
  • Assateague Island
  • Fort Frederick
  • Jug Bay
  • Patapsco Valley State Park

If you’re planning on visiting the great state of Maryland, you can look forward to experiencing extraordinary natural sites, impressive historic landmarks, friendly people, and an assortment of impressive attractions. Maryland is perhaps most famously known for being the home of the Chesapeake Bay, out of which are sourced some of the best blue crabs and seafood in the world. The capital of Maryland is Baltimore, which historically has served as a major trading post for the U.S. While planning your trip to the Old Line State, be sure to have your bucket list handy. This list may include any of the following Maryland destinations: Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, Antietam National Battlefield, Ocean City, Baltimore, Calvert Cliffs State Park, Smith Island, Billy Goat Trail, Backbone Mountain, National Harbor, Swallow Falls State Park, Deep Creek Lake, Chesapeake City, Mallows Bay, Point Lookout Lighthouse, the Chesapeake Bay, Assateague Island, Annapolis, Fort Frederick, Berlin, Jug Bay, and Patapsco Valley State Park. Learn more about these bucket-list-worthy Maryland destinations.

What are the best parks in Maryland?

Some of the best state parks in Maryland include:

  • Gathland State Park
  • Washington Monument State Park
  • Casselman River Bridge State Park
  • Chapman State Park
  • St. Clement’s Island State Park
  • Purse State Park
  • Bill Burton Fishing Pier State Park
  • Wye Oak State Park
  • Fort Frederick State Park
  • Herrington Manor State ParkThere’s perhaps no better way to explore the state of Maryland than by getting out and experiencing the great outdoors. Fortunately, Maryland has tons of dedicated parks that will show you the beauty of the state. Learn more about some of the best state parks in Maryland.