Here in the Buckeye State, there are a few basic things you’re going to need to know before you become an official Ohioan. If you know the answers to the following 11 questions before you move here, you will have a much smoother transition and a lot less confusion.
(You can thank us later.)
- Do Ohioans have accents?
Tim Regan/Flickr Yes, BUT we will passionately deny it. You can usually tell what part of Ohio someone is from based on the sound of their accent. One thing is for certain though: We can’t seem to agree on the way that “wash” is pronounced. Sometimes there’s a “r.” Sometimes there isn’t.
- Is it “pop” or “soda”?
Mike Mozart/Flickr Listen. It’s pop. If you say “soda,” we’re just going to assume you think you’re better than us.
- Does it really snow that much in Ohio?
Cathryn/Flickr It honestly just depends on where you’re referring to. Southern Ohio won’t see snow until mid-March. Northern Ohio will see snow as early as November and it can last until April.
- When the forecast calls for snow, what’s the proper protocol?
nsub1/Flickr You rush to buy milk and bread, obviously.
- Are snow days common?
Scott/Flickr Ehhh, it depends. We’d like to think that the standards for what calls for a snow day are consistent, but they really aren’t. The logic varies on the day.
- What’s the deal with this chili on top of spaghetti thing?
Wally Gobetz/Flickr Skyline isn’t for everyone — but please don’t knock it until you try it.
- Does the street construction ever end?
5chw4r7z/Flickr Nope.
- Will the potholes ever get filled?
Mike Mozart/Flickr Again, nope.
- What do you do when you hear someone randomly yell “O-H” ?
Katrina Cole/Flickr You reply with “I-O.” (Is that so hard?)
- How do you describe where you live?
Mr. Tin DC/Flickr You give directions based on a location’s proximity to a major city and you give them in time increments, not miles. Example: “It’s an hour outside of Cleveland.” (Anything else would just confuse the rest of us.)
- Is it OK to make fun of Ohio if you live here?
Todd F. Niemand/Flickr Yes, but ONLY if you live here. Anyone else who does so is a jerk.
Ohioans, what other questions (and answers) would you add to this list?
Tim Regan/Flickr
Yes, BUT we will passionately deny it. You can usually tell what part of Ohio someone is from based on the sound of their accent. One thing is for certain though: We can’t seem to agree on the way that “wash” is pronounced. Sometimes there’s a “r.” Sometimes there isn’t.
Mike Mozart/Flickr
Listen. It’s pop. If you say “soda,” we’re just going to assume you think you’re better than us.
Cathryn/Flickr
It honestly just depends on where you’re referring to. Southern Ohio won’t see snow until mid-March. Northern Ohio will see snow as early as November and it can last until April.
nsub1/Flickr
You rush to buy milk and bread, obviously.
Scott/Flickr
Ehhh, it depends. We’d like to think that the standards for what calls for a snow day are consistent, but they really aren’t. The logic varies on the day.
Wally Gobetz/Flickr
Skyline isn’t for everyone — but please don’t knock it until you try it.
5chw4r7z/Flickr
Nope.
Mike Mozart/Flickr
Again, nope.
Katrina Cole/Flickr
You reply with “I-O.” (Is that so hard?)
Mr. Tin DC/Flickr
You give directions based on a location’s proximity to a major city and you give them in time increments, not miles. Example: “It’s an hour outside of Cleveland.” (Anything else would just confuse the rest of us.)
Todd F. Niemand/Flickr
Yes, but ONLY if you live here. Anyone else who does so is a jerk.
For more advice related to living in Ohio, check out our previous article: 7 Things No One Tells You About Surviving An Ohio Winter.
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