things NoVans say that confuse other people (McLean, Woodbridge: neighborhoods, to buy)

[Caladium]

The people who move to my neighborhood from LA are always surprised to see Compton touted as an address to brag about. Same goes for Wilmington, which is two streets over.

[Caladium]

Temporary Road in Reston--if you see it on a map you expect it to be, well, a temporary road. Not a street that's been there for about 40 years now and is a major turn for Lake Anne communities.

[Kembek]

Originally Posted by hilsmom

This one STILL pains me. I'm sorry, but I'm still pretty bitter about the naming spree that particular congress went on and insisted that metro spend money to change their signs.

BLECH

I will call it National forever.

Ditto! If someone questions "National" I clarify by saying "DCA". End of story.

[GustavoFring]

Originally Posted by hilsmom

This one STILL pains me. I'm sorry, but I'm still pretty bitter about the naming spree that particular congress went on and insisted that metro spend money to change their signs.

BLECH

I will call it National forever.

National 4 Life, yo.

Seriously, I like referring it to National in front of my fox news thumping friends, it drives them up the wall.

[robbobobbo]

I have a reverse one showing I'm too much a NOVAn: years ago when I was going to GMU, I heard the news that the President was attending some NATO or somesuch conference in Vienna, and I initially thought, "how cool is that? They're just down the road!"

Duh. Wien! Not some place with Anita's and chili dogs at Vienna Inn!

[SallyField]

Originally Posted by GustavoFring

National 4 Life, yo.

Seriously, I like referring it to National in front of my fox news thumping friends, it drives them up the wall.

Well, when someone says they are "flying out of Reagan," it sounds like they're shooting out of his chest or something. I just think it sounds weird.

How about the street names around here? Do they confuse anyone else?

"Take 123 south..."
"Okay. Is that Ox Road?"
"Well, sort of. I mean, it's also Chain Bridge Road. And Dolley Madison Boulevard. And Maple Avenue. And maybe some other things. But it's Ox Road where you are, so I suppose that's fine. If it's all the same to you, though, you're probably best off just calling it 123. Anyway, take 123 south..."
"Hey I found it on the map. Right here, 'Old Ox Road.'"
"No, that's a completely different road. You need to look..."
"Oh! Like that one used to be Ox Road? And then they made the other road Ox Road? So they had to rename the first one 'Old' Ox Road?"
"No... no. No, it's not like that at all. Look, just forget about the actual names of the roads around here and stick with the numbers. Now listen to me. Take 123 south..."

[slowlane3]

Also, 2 separate Braddock Roads -- a longer one in Annandale-Fairfax, and a shorter Braddock Road in Alexandria City. And, 2 Glebe Roads -- a longer one in Arlington, and a shorter spur in Alexandria.

Commuting by "Slugging" is also a local practice, not generally known outside the area.

[Caladium]

Originally Posted by slowlane3

Commuting by "Slugging" is also a local practice, not generally known outside the area.

LOL.... I can just picture this conversation:

"I've been slugging to work in the morning."

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. Have you tried switching to stronger coffee?"

[michgc]

DC area resident: "I work on the Hill."

Out of towner: "Oh, it's flat where I work."

[coolio69]

It took me a while to comprehend the 395/95 distinction. come to think, of it a lot of the major dc arteries end in 95: 295, 395, 495...