things NoVans say that confuse other people (Arlington, Alexandria: high school, camp)

[Hesky]

I have to admit when I first moved in here I got confused with the inner and outer loops of the Beltway. And it isn't even that hard to figure out. [/shame]

[spencgr]

Originally Posted by 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...

That's because of the Interstate Highway Numbering System. 295, 395, and 495 are all auxillary interstate highways that link to the Primary Interstate Highway, I95.

Interstate Highway System - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[katyusha25]

Originally Posted by OrangeFish

"Where do you work?"

"Bahhhlstin"

"You work in MASSACHUSETTS!?!"

"No, in Ahhhlingtin. Wilson and Glebe, near the Bahhhlstin Mall."

I thought it was Boston too, when I first moved here. I didn't even realize it was Ballston until I saw the actual stop on the Metro and I was like, 'OHHHH!!!"

[katyusha25]

Originally Posted by 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.

I know! Some of the worst neighborhoods in LA!

[katyusha25]

I don't know if this is particular to NoVa, but this is where I first heard it, and it's always been confusing to me (and it also drives me crazy) - People here refer to hispanics as "spanish." In CA, where I used to live, they're called Mexicans (because chances are, they were Mexican.)

Either way, I'm pretty sure none of the people here they refer to as being "spanish" are spanish; because if you're spanish, you're from Spain.

[car54]

Originally Posted by 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.

I have several cousins that reside in the most fashionable suburb of New Haven CT................................Woodbridge!
(comparable to Great Falls/McLean here)

When they come down here for a visit, I tell them if anybody asks where they live...just say New Haven. LOL

[Carlingtonian]

Originally Posted by katyusha25

I don't know if this is particular to NoVa, but this is where I first heard it, and it's always been confusing to me (and it also drives me crazy) - People here refer to hispanics as "spanish." In CA, where I used to live, they're called Mexicans (because chances are, they were Mexican.)

Either way, I'm pretty sure none of the people here they refer to as being "spanish" are spanish; because if you're spanish, you're from Spain.

YES! This drives me nuts as well. "Spanish" means "from Spain." Most Hispanics in the DC region are of Salvadoran or some other Central American ancestry. (In Texas, just as you noticed in CA, people use "Mexican" a lot--but at least that has a high likelihood of being right in that part of the country.)

"Spanish-speaking" would be fine--but calling them Spanish sounds just as goofy as when the Amish refer to non-Amish Americans as "English."

[brooklynborndad]

Originally Posted by katyusha25

I don't know if this is particular to NoVa, but this is where I first heard it, and it's always been confusing to me (and it also drives me crazy) - People here refer to hispanics as "spanish." In CA, where I used to live, they're called Mexicans (because chances are, they were Mexican.)

Either way, I'm pretty sure none of the people here they refer to as being "spanish" are spanish; because if you're spanish, you're from Spain.

actually that usage was common in NYC as far back as the 1970s at least, for Puerto Ricans. I think many puerto ricans themselves used it as the generic term of hispanics - I mean literally Hispania is "little spain" and I think that mental translation made as much sense as any (certainly calling themselves "little spanish" would have been far sillier) Kind of like when native Yiddish speakers say they speak "Jewish" (which is precisely what the word Yiddish literally translates to, though its not idiomatic in English).

[katyusha25]

Originally Posted by brooklynborndad

actually that usage was common in NYC as far back as the 1970s at least, for Puerto Ricans. I think many puerto ricans themselves used it as the generic term of hispanics - I mean literally Hispania is "little spain" and I think that mental translation made as much sense as any (certainly calling themselves "little spanish" would have been far sillier) Kind of like when native Yiddish speakers say they speak "Jewish" (which is precisely what the word Yiddish literally translates to, though its not idiomatic in English).

Thanks for that! I've always wondered where that came from or why people called them that.

Still drives me bananas.

[Carlingtonian]

Originally Posted by brooklynborndad

... Kind of like when native Yiddish speakers say they speak "Jewish" (which is precisely what the word Yiddish literally translates to, though its not idiomatic in English).

I'm a little rusty, but I'm pretty sure I can still speak Episcopal. If I ever have to buy golf clubs or something.