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"Jawn"
 
Typically employed by Philadelphians between the ages of 15 and 30, the word "jawn" can be used to substitute almost any given noun in the English dictionary, though, it is usually reserved as a placeholder when the speaker cannot remember or pronounce the desired word.
 
Example: "Does Walmart sell those jawns that I like so much?"
 
"Yiz" or "Yous"
 
"Yiz" is the common pronunciation of the phrase "you all" or "you guys," but the strange and thick Philly accent has transmuted the word to take on its own meaning. Thus, "Yiz" can also be substitued for the phrase "do you" or "are you."
 
Example: "Yiz goin' up to Cottman for skatin' party?"
 
"Iggles"
 
This word "Iggles" means "Eagles," more appropriately, "The Philadelphia Eagles." Legend has it that because so many Philadelphians were fed up with their football team's constant failures, they simply stopped pronouncing the "e," allowing for quicker delivery of their rage-filled rants concerning the team.
 
Example: "The iggles suck this year."
 
"The Conshohocken Curve"
 
While no one knows where exactly the Conshohocken Curve actually starts or ends, the term is used to describe the general vicinity of mile marker 331 on I-76, just near the Conshohocken exit. 
 
Example: "There's a 3-month delay out at the Conshohocken Curve."
 
"Down-uh-shuh"
 
The word "down-uh-shuh" is used in place of the phrase "down the shore." The shore here would be the Jersey Shore, where natives often spend their vacation days buying cheap and useless trinkets on the boardwalk and performing various mating rituals in New Jersey watering holes.
 
Example: "Yo, screw this- let's go down-uh-shuh."
 
"Flipadelphia"
 
Coined in an episode of "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" by the same name, "Flipadelphia" initially referred to a fictional beer tournament that the characters took part in. Now firmly a part of the Philly lexicon, "Flipadelphia" is used to herald good times that often revolve around consuming alcohol.
 
Example: "Jimmy is coming over with beers later." "Flip-flip, flipadelphia!"
 
"Donezo"
 
Although the word "donezo" is often used in various urban cities across the United States, the word has firm roots in South Philadelphia. The word is slang for "done" but carries a more embellished connotation, much like that of "finito" or "caput."
 
Example: "The Mets are donezo, bro- donezo!"
 
"Wit"
 
Not to be confused with its homophone meaning cleverness or quickness, "wit" takes the place of the word "with" in Philadelphia. Though it's usually associated with the renowned process of ordering a cheesesteak at Geno's or Pat's, "wit" can be used in place of "with" at any given time.
 
Example: "Would you like to go get a wiz wit wit Johnny Cakes?"
 


about the author
Heyphilly.com Staff
The Heyphilly.com staff possesses insider knowledge of the best bars and restaurants in the city and prides themselves on bringing you the best beer and food specials in town. Think we deserve some lovin' for our no-holds-barred view on the city? How about some thinly-veiled hate mail? Drop us a line here: editorial@aycmedia.com. Either way, we love attention.

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