20 October 2023
TOPEKA (KSNT) – Kansas is the 15th largest state by size and has multiple different dialects across the state.
When in the Sunflower State, you may hear multiple words that are unique or said differently than you may say them.
Howdy
A polite greeting that is derived from a short form of ‘how you doing’.
Yonder
Meaning a place over there. Typically within sight.
“You see that house over yonder?”
Rock Chalk
A chant to celebrate Kansas State University’s sports teams. When a person says ‘Rock Chalk’ the appropriate response is ‘Jayhawks!’
In 1886, the chant was ‘rah, rah, Jayhawk KU’ but an English professor suggested swapping the ‘rahs’ to ‘Rock Chalk’ after a limestone outcropping at Mount Oread, according to distractify.com.
‘Nader
If you’re in Kansas, you should keep an eye out for ‘naders. Short for Tornado.
Crick
A person may say “kreek,” but if you meet someone from rural Kansas they will tell you it’s a “crick”.
Caddy Corner
Meaning adjacent to or diagonally opposite. According to the Washington State University, three spellings are acceptable: “catty,” “cater” or “kitty.”
Y’all
Short form for ‘you all.’ Y’all is used to describe a group of people.
Puppy Chow
Puppy chow is a snack found in southern states usually made with cereal, peanut butter, melted chocolate and powdered sugar. The treat can be found at gas stations, certain supermarkets and special events.
Gully-Washer
Gully-washer is a term used to describe a heavy rainstorm. These are typically very heavy rains that last a short amount of time.
Cattywampus
Typically meant to be in disarray, disorder or askew, according to Meriam-Webster.
Cattywampus has had various meanings over the last two centuries. The first dictionary reference to a similar word ‘catawamptiously’ was in the 1848 version of the Dictionary of Americanisms. The dictionary described it as ‘completely demolished’ or ‘utterly defeated’.
Sodbuster
A sodbuster is a person or thing that breaks topsoil, according to Merriam-Webster. An example of a sodbuster could be a farmer breaking the top layer of sod to prepare their crop.
Doggone
A word to describe anger, surprise, pleasure or annoyance.
Merriam-Webster defines doggone as ‘deserving of one’s condemnation or displeasure.’
“There’s another doggone problem with the television.”
Mosey
To walk in a slow or leisurely way. Very similar to the word saunter.
“John moseyed around the general store.”
If we’re missing any local terms let us know by emailing [email protected].
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