by Michelle Willson, Editor-in-Chief
I am from Kansas right over the boarder of Oklahoma. Yet, there are so many things that I call different names then my friends from Oklahoma and one friend from Alabama.
If I asked you to hand me an ever sharp, would you know what I meant. It is a mechanical pencil but I have always called them an ever sharp.
On move in day, my friend asked if I had a Hand Truck, she could borrow and I must have given her the dumbest face because she then did a hand motion and I realized she meant a Dolly.
I personally call the last meal of the day supper and most people I know from Kansas also call it that but here people really get offended when you call it anything but dinner.
It was not until I came to college that I found out that the candy is pronounced, “Reese is” and not “Reese seas.” I was absolutely attacked when I called it the ladder. I feel like everyone in Oklahoma gets a class on the peanut butter candy and learns not only how to pronounce it but also the history of why it is made. “Its ‘Reese is’ because Reese was the guy who made it so it is possessive making it Reese’s Candy” Like chill. I thought it was a random name. They all act like Reese is their uncle and I have extremely disrespected him by calling it the wrong name.
This one is going to ruffle some feathers for sure. Keep sugar out of my tea. I have a family history of diabetes and I do not want to kick-start that drinking sugar with a little tea on the side. When I go to a restaurant and order a tea, I expect it to be unsweet tea unless I specify that I want it sweet. I was appalled when I ordered a tea and it came sweet.
In addition, “The City” is OKC here but each state has their own “City.” When I am from when you say “The City”, you most likely mean Wichita or less likely Kansas City. I really thought my friends were going to Wichita the first time they said that.
Next is Caddy Corner. “The house is caddy corner to the park.” Which just means Diagonal from something but some people just look at you as if you have lost your head.
Do not even get me started on food. Ask almost anyone from Kansas what their school served with Chili and most will say A slice of pickle and a cinnamon Roll. Why? I don’t know they just did. I tried explaining the concept of a Bologna boat to my friends and they thought it sounded awful but it’s literally one of my favorite foods. Its two slices of Bologna, with Mash Potato’s and Cheese baked on top. I have had it since I was little but it is a Kansas thing I guess.
Now some people will understand these but most people that I have come across get confused when I refer to these. I did not even know it was weird until I came to college here. It is amazing what a two hour difference can make.