One of my favorite magazines to read has long been “Reader’s Digest.” I admire how the writers put their stories together in each issue, and so many of the articles capture my attention because of the variety of topics.
One of those entertaining and witty articles that pulled me in appeared earlier this spring. It was titled, “How to speak like a Midwesterner.”
The short story was presented like a dictionary of common phrases you would expect to hear if you visited the Midwest; it was written by an author from Missouri.
I was a bit skeptical at first that I would see any phrases I use or hear but soon realized that the author hit the nail on the head. Many of the ones that she highlighted are ones I say or hear often as someone born and bred in the Midwest.
Here are some of those expressions from the article. How many have you heard or do you use?
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• “Yeah, no.”
All Midwesterners know that this expression simply means no and that we often use it in a sarcastic way or to contradict something that someone just said.
• “You betcha.”
This one comes out of my mouth a lot. I didn’t realize it was such a Midwestern saying.
• “Hey, question for ya!”
Here’s another one that I use a lot, especially over the phone when I call my dad to ask about something I’m not sure how to fix.
• “Doesn’t that sound fun?”
I use this one with my wife from time to time when I suggest an activity that she might not be as excited about doing as me such as those extra-long hikes or bike rides I like to do early in the morning.
• “Well, there ya go.”
The author defines this saying as there is nothing more to be said or done. I don’t say it quite the same way, but instead find myself saying, “Well, there you have it.”
• “Mm-hmm. Yeah. You betcha.”
In other words, this common Midwest phrase means I’m done with the conversation and that I stopped listening a while ago. Hmmm … I think I have heard this one more than I have said it.
• “Mm-hmm. I hear ya.”
This one made me smile, as the writer translated this phrase to mean I’m bored with the conversation because I understood what you said the first time you said it 30 minutes ago. Who knew that was a Midwestern saying?
The list goes on but these seven made me smile, as I never thought of them before as being so Midwestern.
Well, there ya go.
Or better yet, there ya have it.
jdpeeper2@hotmail.com
