9 Words West Virginia Locals Know
From Turning Points | April 2024
Dive into the heart of Kayak's home state, where the lingo is as unique and spirited as the people who call it home. Here, the rapids are rough, the Wheeling Suspension Bridge stands proud, and "rub" is a taste of local pride. Cheering on the 'Eers isn't just sport, it's religion. Life's good in the hollers and down by the "crick." Sit down for a cat's head, you'll get why we never leave. It's West Virginia—real and raw as the Kayak that we make here.
"Poke": In West Virginia slang, a "poke" is a shopping bag. It's an old term that predates plastic bags and usually refers to the brown paper bags at convenience or grocery stores.
Example: "Can I have a poke to carry my sleeve of Kayak in?"
Example: "Can I have a poke to carry my sleeve of Kayak in?"
"Rub": In Kayak's hometown of Wheeling, WV, the locals refer to dip as rub.
Example: "Kayak is the best rub out there."
Example: "Kayak is the best rub out there."
"'Eers": What locals call the West Virginia University Mountaineers, WVU’s football team. It shows support or identification with the teams.
Example: "The 'Eers are playing tonight. Come by and watch the game."
Example: "The 'Eers are playing tonight. Come by and watch the game."
"Holler": Where we're from, this refers to a remote road or area. It's often used to describe your home neighborhood.
Example: "My friend Dave lives two hollers back"
Example: "My friend Dave lives two hollers back"
"Red Up": Describes cleaning or tidying up a space.
Example: "Let's red up the house before our friends come by to watch the 'Eers game."
Example: "Let's red up the house before our friends come by to watch the 'Eers game."
"Crick": This is the local pronunciation of the word "creek," and is used to describe a small stream or brook.
Example: "We're fishing for bullheads in the crick after work. Grab a can of Kayak and come with."
Example: "We're fishing for bullheads in the crick after work. Grab a can of Kayak and come with."
"Cat's Head": This term refers to biscuits that are so large and fluffy that they're about the size of a cat's head. It's a compliment to the baker's skills in making large, soft biscuits.
Example: "We're going to Tudor's Biscuit world to grab a cat's head and sausage gravy."
Example: "We're going to Tudor's Biscuit world to grab a cat's head and sausage gravy."
"Mess": In West Virginia and other parts of Appalachia, "mess" refers to a quantity or batch of something, often used to describe a collection of items that can be cooked or prepared together.
Example: "We're cooking up a mess of greens for dinner."
Example: "We're cooking up a mess of greens for dinner."
"Buggy": A term for a shopping cart. It's used in some parts of the United States, including West Virginia, to refer to the carts used in grocery stores.
Example: "Grab a buggy. We've got a lot to pick up."
Example: "Grab a buggy. We've got a lot to pick up."
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