How to Sound Like a Local When You Move to Lexington

Fiona Young-Brown
July 20, 2018
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When you move somewhere new, you want to fit in. One of the easiest ways to do that is to sound like a local, and while it may take some time before you pick up a Kentucky accent, there are some local pronunciations and nicknames that can help fool people into thinking you’ve been here for years.

Kentucky

Let’s start with what may seem to be a simple one. Get the emphasis right when you’re saying the state’s name. A lot of newcomers from overseas make the mistake of emphasizing the “KEN.” Instead, emphasize the second syllable: “Ken-TUCK-y.”

What do we call this place anyway?

https://twitter.com/Derrrek_/status/996497001809436672

To those from Eastern Kentucky, Lexington is affectionately known as “Lex-Vegas” because it’s where you go for a good time in the big city. But if that means you’re expecting the bright lights and casinos of the Strip, sorry to disappoint.

More Kentucky pronunciations

There are a lot of continental-sounding names around here but forget those high-school French lessons. These names all have taken on a Kentucky-twist and asking for directions to “Ver-sigh” will get you nowhere. It’s “Ver-SAY-elles” and “AY-thens.” And don’t forget Kentucky’s other big city. Skip the whole “Loueyville” versus “Louahville” debate by referring to it simply as “The Ville.”

Circle 4

If you’re living in Lexington, you’ll soon get to know the giant ring road around the city but forget about calling it “Circle 4,” despite what your map or GPS might say. Lexingtonians all know that its real name is “New Circle Road”, although at more than 50 years old it is anything but new.

CenterPit/ CenterPointe/ City Center?

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Expect to be confused by the various ways locals refer to the large construction project on Main Street. The official name is “City Center” and the building will contain offices, luxury condos, a hotel, and several restaurants. But to understand the names, you need to know a bit of the history. An entire city block was demolished in 2008 but various funding squabbles meant that for a few years, the proposed project (originally to be called “CenterPointe”) was little more than a hole in the ground. As a result, locals nicknamed it “CenterPit” or “The Pit.” Even after changing the official name, it may take a while for that to go away.

Midnight Madness in the BBN

Basketball is a serious business here in Lexington. On game days, you will find yourself among a sea of blue wherever you go and when the clock starts, stores and streets magically empty. Everyone has disappeared to cheer on the Cats (Wildcats to the uninitiated). Living in Lexington makes you part of the “Big Blue Nation” (BBN) as the University of Kentucky’s wildly dedicated fanbase is known. Midnight Madness, held in October each year to kick off the basketball season, is one of the big events in town and if you want tickets, be prepared to get in line early. Fans start lining up on Monday for the Friday release!

Tea

If you order tea, it’s going to be cold and sweet. Very sweet. Unsweetened tea is more widely available now. And if you are expecting a warming beverage or a pot of Earl Grey, you need to specify that you want hot tea.

Y’all

Depending on who you ask, Kentucky is in the South, the MidWest, or some sort of bridge between the two. One thing’s for sure – you’ll hear a lot of Southern phrases. A contraction of you-all, “y’all” is one of the most useful words in any Kentuckian’s linguistic arsenal. It typically is used to refer to people in a group, but can also refer to just one other person. If you’re worried that anyone in the group might feel left out, you can emphasize their inclusion with “all y’all!”

Bless Your Heart

You can’t live in Kentucky without hearing this phrase and quickly learning its meanings. “Bless your heart” can be the sweetest possible expression of caring and sympathy. It can also be a biting insult, dripping with sarcasm. Understanding the difference means you have truly learned how to sound like a local in Lexington.

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