HOW DO YOU SAY IT

You Say Tomato ... By Josh Katz.   

Some words are like out-of-state license plates-they're dead giveaways that you're not from around here. Just try rhyming aunt with can't in parts of the Northeast or Upper Midwest (you cahn't) or ordering a sub in Philadelphia, the epicenter of hoagie country. In recent years, linguists have pondered whether the homogenizing effects of TV, film, and the Internet have begun to eliminate many so-called regionalisms. To find out, I surveyed Americans about how we talk. The good news, based on the 350,000 responses received: American English shows no sign of disappearing. So slip off your sneakers (more on that later), grab a soft drink (ditto), and let's take a tour of Americanisms. What we call insects that glow at night Fireflies, increasingly popular with younger Americans, have been encroaching on lightning bugs' territory in recent years. New York City disagrees with itself. Manhattan seems to prefer fireflies; on Staten Island, it's lightning bugs. lightning bugs What we call a sale of household items rummage sale garage sale tag sale yard sale how we address a group of people Many people in the Pittsburgh area say yinz. you guys In parts of New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, you still hear youse. y'all Some folks in Kentucky use you all. What we call carbonated beverages pop soda Soft drink is also popular around here. coke It's Cocola in pockets of this region. Where we throw our trash garbage can trash can What we haul freight in tractor trailer Semi/semitruck eighteen-wheeler What we drink from in public places Bubbler Drinking fountain Water fountain.  What we call athletic footwear In Chicago and Cincinnati, you might lace up your gym shoes. tennis shoes Sneakers Hawaiians just say shoes. how many syllables in caramel? two three Excerpted from Speaking American: How Y'all, Youse, and You Guys Talk.