If You Can Say These 13 Words, You’re Definitely From Illinois
Every place has its own secret language, and Illinois is no exception. Some words here sound totally normal until you say them somewhere else and get a puzzled stare in return.
From the way folks order a fizzy drink to how they save a parking spot after a snowstorm, these little phrases quietly tell everyone where you grew up. If any of these roll off your tongue without a second thought, you might just be a true Illinoisan.
1. Pop
Order a “pop” in most of the country and someone might hand you a lollipop or ask what your grandfather goes by. In Illinois, though, everyone knows exactly what you mean: that sweet, bubbly drink in a can or bottle.
The word runs deep across the Midwest, and folks here defend it fiercely. Say “soda” too casually and a native will gently correct you.
It is one of the fastest ways to spot an out-of-towner. If “pop” is your default, your Illinois roots are showing loud and clear.
2. Gym shoes
Sneakers? Tennis shoes?
Not around here. In Illinois, especially near Chicago, those athletic kicks are simply “gym shoes,” no matter what sport you play in them.
Kids grow up being told to grab their gym shoes before practice, and the habit sticks for life. It feels perfectly obvious to locals and slightly odd to everyone else.
Travel a few states over and mention gym shoes, and you will likely get a raised eyebrow. That reaction alone confirms you are Illinois through and through.
3. Expressway (named highways)
Ask a Chicagoan for directions and you will not hear route numbers. Instead, you get “take the Kennedy” or “hop on the Dan Ryan,” as if these roads were old friends with first names.
Each major expressway carries a nickname, and locals expect you to already know them. Newcomers often stare at the map trying to match a name to a number.
Calling a highway by its proper title is second nature to Illinois drivers. Master this quirk and you will blend right into rush hour traffic.
4. Frunchroom
Few words scream Chicago quite like “frunchroom.” It smooshes “front room” into one cozy, unmistakable term for the parlor at the front of a house.
You will hear it most in classic Chicago bungalows, where the frunchroom was the fancy space for guests. Grandma kept the good couch there, and you did not put your feet up.
Nobody outside the area uses this word, which makes it a dead giveaway. Say “frunchroom” naturally and your Chicago pedigree is confirmed.
5. The L
Rattling above the streets and weaving between skyscrapers, Chicago’s train system has one short and famous name: the L. It is short for “elevated,” though parts of it dip underground too.
Locals plan their whole day around it, telling friends to just “take the L” downtown. The rumble of it overhead is part of the city soundtrack.
Visitors sometimes call it the subway or the metro, and that instantly marks them as strangers. Say the L with ease, and you sound like a lifelong rider.
6. Deep-Dish
Picture a pizza so tall and hearty you need a fork and knife just to get started. That is deep-dish, Chicago’s proud contribution to pizza fame.
The crust climbs high like a buttery wall, cradling mountains of cheese, toppings, and a chunky layer of sauce on top. One slice can honestly count as a full meal.
Fun fact: the tomato sauce goes on last so the cheese does not burn during the long bake. Ordering deep-dish without blinking is a very Illinois move.
7. Tavern-style
While deep-dish grabs the spotlight, plenty of locals will tell you tavern-style is the real everyday favorite. Thin, crackly crust cut into neat little squares makes it perfect for sharing.
The square-cut style, sometimes called party cut, means everyone grabs a piece without fussing over big triangles. It is the pizza of family gatherings and casual nights in.
Outsiders often think Chicago only does deep-dish, so knowing about tavern-style proves you have local knowledge. Talk it up and your Illinois credentials shine.
8. The Bean
Officially it is called Cloud Gate, but nobody in Illinois actually says that. To locals and visitors alike, the giant mirror-shiny sculpture in Millennium Park is simply the Bean.
Its smooth curves reflect the skyline and the sky, making it a magnet for selfies and slack-jawed tourists. Walking underneath and looking up feels a little like stepping into a funhouse mirror.
Call it Cloud Gate and people might not even know what you mean. Say the Bean, and you sound like you belong.
9. Horseshoe
Down in Springfield, ordering a “horseshoe” gets you a plate that could feed a small crowd. It starts with Texas toast, piles on your choice of meat, buries it in French fries, and drowns the whole thing in rich cheese sauce.
The name comes from the shape of the meat and the fries arranged like a horseshoe on the plate. It is comfort food turned all the way up.
This dish barely exists outside central Illinois, so knowing it marks you as a true local. Ask for a horseshoe and folks will nod in approval.
10. Dibs
Snow falls heavy in Chicago, and shoveling out a parking spot is backbreaking work. So when someone clears a space, they claim it with “dibs,” marking the spot with old chairs, cones, or whatever they can spare.
The unwritten rule is simple: you dug it out, so it is yours until the snow melts. Move someone’s dibs marker at your own risk.
The tradition sparks endless debate every winter, but locals mostly honor it. Understanding dibs means you truly get Chicago winters.
11. Da (as in Da Bears)
There is a certain thick, proud accent that turns “the” into “da,” and nothing captures it better than “Da Bears.” Say it out loud and you can practically hear the football fans cheering.
The pronunciation pops up in other spots too, like “da Lake” for Lake Michigan. It carries a warm, hometown swagger that Illinoisans wear like a badge.
Comedians have poked fun at it for years, but locals lean right into it. Drop a hearty “Da Bears” and your roots are impossible to hide.
12. Youse (or Youse guys)
The South has “y’all,” but parts of Illinois answer with “youse” or “youse guys.” It is the local way of talking to more than one person at once.
You will catch it in Chicago neighborhoods, tossed around casually among friends and family. “What are youse guys doing later?” just feels natural here.
The phrase has a friendly, no-nonsense charm to it. Use “youse” without thinking twice and you have got Illinois written all over you.
13. Over by / Over dare
Giving directions the Illinois way sounds a little different than most places. Instead of naming an exact spot, folks say something is “over by” the park or that they went “over dare” to that store.
The phrases blur location and distance into one easygoing expression. Locals understand it perfectly, even when it seems vague to everyone else.
Paired with that classic accent, “over dare” becomes pure Chicago music. If these phrases feel comfortable, congratulations, you are definitely from Illinois.