Some Midwestern cities are more of a melting pot than Milwaukee. A lot of us are born and bred here. We may have left, but something always draws us back to the 414.
You’re not going to find a lot of rogue southern accents or a wicked Bostonian adjective being thrown around here. Contrary to what you’ve heard on television and in movies, Milwaukee isn’t really a “dontcha know” kind of city. We’re rather well spoken. They even teach budding news anchors to speak in “General American” diction, which closely represents the Midwest’s accent. That must stand for something!
Now that we’ve addressed the obvious stereotype, I highly suggest flashcards. No, not really, but studying up on some parts of town, their street names and simple phrases may make it easier for when you pull into the Brew City.
Our Wayne’s World cameo needs explanation.
With the arrival of Europeans in the area, Wisconsin cities were named after the indigenous Algonquin language. You’ve heard that line from Wayne’s World; Alice Cooper tells Wayne, “Actually, it’s pronounced “mill-e-wah-que” which is Algonquin for “the good land.”
That’s about 98% correct. Just don’t pronounce Milwaukee that way. But he leads me to my next point…
To make it easier for settlers, (and most likely with a little ignorance) cities were spelled phonetically. That said, when in doubt, sound it out.
You’re going to be glad you did a little research before spouting off some poor attempts of Oconomowoc. O-con-o-mo-woc. Pretty simple, huh? That’s a suburban city in “Lake Country.”
Lake Country is comprised of a cluster of lakes about 25 miles west of Milwaukee. A place to raise families and a place for 20-somethings to go bar hopping via power boat. (Not limited to 20-somethings…)
Milwaukee itself is often shortened when speaking. Mo-wau-kee. That pronunciation is likely heard at sporting events with a beer in their hand and is indicative of a true local. That diction has been passed down for generations.
Street names are their own can of worms. Burleigh Street, according to Siri, sounds like you’re describing the Brawny man–Burley. However, it’s really pronounced Bur-LIE. You can say the same about Vilet Street. Almost looks like a shortened version of Violet – that’s when people will know you’re not from here. It’s Vuh-leet.
What are drinking fountains?
We have weird names for everyday things. Almost every other part of the country you would sip out of a drinking fountain. Not in Milwaukee–it’s a bubbler. Yes, that’s correct, a bubbler. It’s not sparkling water out of the tap, but the way the water fountain spurts water, kind of makes it look like it’s bubbling. I’m assuming that was the thought when they dubbed the bubb.
Drink light? Choose wisely.
If light beer is your thing, think twice about ordering that Bud Light. True cheap beer connoisseurs of Milwaukee reach for a PBR or a Miller Lite. Both were once brewed downtown and let’s be honest, taste much better than any Anheuser-Busch concoction. The moment you order one, heads will turn.
“It will be cooler BY the lake.”
Yes, this goes against any proper English you’ve ever learned, but disregard that. If you’re from Milwaukee, you know about “Nature’s Air Conditioning”—Lake Michigan. A saying once coined by local meteorologists, now has legs.
In the summer, you can expect downtown and any neighborhood less than a mile from the shore to be significantly cooler than the burbs. It’s kind of nice on those hot and humid days. The opposite can be said for winter. The lake may freeze, but it’s generally warmer than the frozen tundra inland, so Milwaukee tends to be a few degrees warmer in the winter months thanks to the breeze off the lake.*
*Writer, not a scientist.
“We’re headed Up North.”
This phrase doesn’t work everywhere, but it’s a staple in Wisco vernacular. “Up North” is anywhere north of the Fox Cities and Wausau. “The Northwoods” is the destination. Smaller towns in the north-central part of the state. A spot for people to kick back at their family’s cabin on the lake, go fishing or water skiing along a chain of lakes. If someone asks if you’d like to join them, cancel all plans you’re going!
And some lasting notes:
It’s soda here. And “the Bears still suck.”
