Prompt: Regional Slang
I grew up in Chicago so I’ve been trying to break myself of the habit of “guys” being gender neutral, because not everyone knows that’s the case, but I’ve been told “y’all” doesn’t sound right coming out of my mouth. While most of Chicago says “pop” I, for some reason, call it “soda” much to the dismay of my mother.
And then there are the language glitches that arise in “regions” as small as a family. My mom always makes mush for summer family gatherings. What is mush? Pistachio ambrosia, Although I never heard that name for it until I was a college graduate.
[Thanksgiving around the table in Chicago. It’s RYAN’S - KIT’S partner - first Thanksgiving with the Brennan Family, and they are trying to make a good first impression on the rowdy clan. They family is a third generation Northside Chicago family, RYAN is from Seattle. MARGE is the matriarch and is seated at the head of the table with her Consigliere and honorary family , KAREN, sitting next to her . GREG and FRANNY are KIT’S parents. NATHAN and LESLIE are KIT’S siblings. There are two choruses - AUNTS & UNCLES and THE COUSINS. RYAN is in conversation with KAREN.]
RYAN
So, yeah, I moved here for college and fell in love with the city.
KAREN
How nice. And is that how you and Kit met? At school.
RYAN
No. We met at work.
KIT
We both worked at Barstucks in college, Auntie Karen.
KAREN
Oh, that’s right. So what do you do now?
RYAN
I still work at Barstucks.
KAREN
While you look for a job?
KIT
Auntie, why don’t you tell Ryan about your vacation to Disney World?
KAREN
Oh! Have you ever been? I just loved how each country is represented in “It’s a Small World” and then at Epcot! And you’d think the food would be expensive like it is in Europe but, non, est tres cher…
KIT
(in a whisper)
Trust me, it’s better than trying to explain wanting to work at corporate to her.