Inspired by recent posts on Buzzfeed and Curbed about Atlanta’s unique vocabulary, we wanted to post our own addendum. Whether you are a non-native or new parent, here’s a lesson on the local lexicon.
Spaghetti Junction
Everywhere Else: A Western film made in the 1980’s.
In ATL: A tangle of on and off ramps where your kids always decide to test the limits of distracted driving.
Fellini’s
Everywhere Else: Something belonging to Italian film director Federico Fellini.
In ATL: The best pizza in town.
Ya’ll
Everywhere Else: A contraction of the words “you” and “all.”
In ATL: All you little people. It’s too hot to name individual names here.
All Ya’ll
Everywhere Else: When the speaker wishes to include everyone being addressed.
In ATL: Everyone. But now Mama means business.
Supper
Everywhere Else: An evening meal.
In ATL: What we feed our kids at 5 p.m. Because if we start the bedtime routine early, they might not notice we are putting them to sleep while the sun is still up.
Fixin’
Everywhere Else: The action of repairing something.
In ATL: Getting ready to do something. As soon as we muster the energy in this heat.
The Garden
Everywhere Else: A planned space set aside for the enjoyment of plants and nature.
In ATL: A place where we take our children to see giant sculptures crafted out of vegetables and vegetation.
Top Hat
Everywhere Else: A tall, flat-crowned, broad-brimmed hat.
In ATL: A soccer club for girls you need to sign up for at conception.
N.Y.O.
Everywhere Else: National Youth Orchestra
In ATL: A way to tie up every afternoon from now ’til kingdom come.
Aquarium
Everywhere Else: A container where water-dwelling plants or animals are kept.
In ATL: Thank you Home Depot.
Downtown
Everywhere Else: A city’s center or central business district.
In ATL: The Aquarium.
Varsity
Everywhere Else: A first-string team in school sports.
In ATL: Where you feed your kids lunch when downtown.
Lunch
Everywhere Else: A meal eaten at midday.
In ATL: Chick-fil-A (when not downtown).
Smocking
Everywhere Else: An embroidery technique used to gather fabric so that it can stretch.
In ATL: How we wardrobe our wee ones. Easier to keep track of ’em if they all match, right?
Pink Pig
Everywhere Else: A rose-hued porcine animal.
In ATL: A shopping hazard that plagues you at Christmas.
Children’s
Everywhere Else: Something belonging to someone who is not yet an adult.
In ATL: Where you take your babes to get all better.
Northside
Everywhere Else: The northern side of town.
In ATL: Where babies are born.
Delta
Everywhere Else: A mass of sediment usually of triangular shape at the mouth of a river.
In the A: A means of traveling to places outside of Atlanta.
I.T.P.
Everywhere Else: In The Pooper. See also “daddy’s office.”
In the A: Inside The Perimeter. Where we stay unless headed to the beach or using aforementioned Delta.
What did we miss? Give us your thoughts on the local lexicon in the comments section below!
—Phebe Wahl
Photos courtesy of the author, Atlanta Botanical Garden, Shrimp and Grits and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta via Facebook, Janos J. via Yelp, Robotclaw666, Micah Taylor, Pieter v Marion, Ben Ramsey, rowan.simpson, juhansonin, Kay Gaensler, theloushe bearding, and memories_by_mike via Flickr Creative Commons
