Boston Vocabulary

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Date:

Instructions: How well do you know the distinctive words and phrases of Boston, Massachusetts?

1.
In Boston, what is a 'bubbler'?
A
A type of pipe
B
A jacuzzi
C
A soda bottle
D
A drinking fountain
2.
What does 'wicked' mean as an adverb in Boston slang?
A
Slightly
B
Evil
C
Very or extremely
D
Wickedly funny
3.
In Boston, what is a 'packie'?
A
A lunch box
B
A type of jacket
C
A backpack
D
A liquor store (package store)
4.
What does 'bang a uey' mean in Boston English?
A
Make a U-turn
B
Honk the horn
C
Hit something
D
Slam the door
5.
In Boston, what is a 'frappe' (pronounced 'frap')?
A
A type of coffee
B
A French scarf
C
A milkshake made with ice cream
D
A cold compress
6.
What does 'Southie' refer to in Boston?
A
A type of accent
B
South Boston neighborhood
C
A left-handed person
D
Southern cuisine
7.
In Boston English, what is 'the T'?
A
The public transit/subway system (MBTA)
B
A type of shirt
C
A golf tee
D
A type of intersection
8.
What does 'pissah' (or 'pissa') mean in Boston slang?
A
Awesome or excellent
B
Disappointing
C
Rainy
D
Angry
9.
In Boston, what is a 'rotary'?
A
A spinning top
B
A phone
C
A type of club
D
A traffic roundabout or circle
10.
What does 'no suh' mean in Boston slang?
A
Not sure
B
No sugar
C
No way! (an expression of disbelief)
D
No sir
11.
In Boston, what are 'jimmies'?
A
Pajamas
B
A type of tool
C
Small fish
D
Chocolate sprinkles for ice cream
12.
What does 'Dunks' refer to in Boston culture?
A
Basketball moves
B
A swimming hole
C
A type of shoe
D
Dunkin' Donuts
13.
In Boston English, what is a 'regular' coffee?
A
Coffee with cream and sugar
B
Decaf coffee
C
Medium roast coffee
D
Black coffee
14.
What does 'triple deckah' refer to in Boston?
A
A three-story residential building
B
A three-lane highway
C
A triple-decker sandwich
D
A triple-scoop ice cream cone
15.
In Boston pronunciation, how is 'car' typically said?
A
Exactly as spelled
B
'Core'
C
'Kar' (hard K)
D
'Cah' (dropping the R)

Answer Key

Question 1

D. A drinking fountain

Question 2

C. Very or extremely

Question 3

D. A liquor store (package store)

Question 4

A. Make a U-turn

Question 5

C. A milkshake made with ice cream

Question 6

B. South Boston neighborhood

Question 7

A. The public transit/subway system (MBTA)

Question 8

A. Awesome or excellent

Question 9

D. A traffic roundabout or circle

Question 10

C. No way! (an expression of disbelief)

Question 11

D. Chocolate sprinkles for ice cream

Question 12

D. Dunkin' Donuts

Question 13

A. Coffee with cream and sugar

Question 14

A. A three-story residential building

Question 15

D. 'Cah' (dropping the R)

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