5 ‘kid’ Maine-isms all parents understand

Two summers ago, I wrote about “Maine-isms,” words and phrases finding their way (many times unsuccessfully) into my everyday vernacular. I’m proud to say today that not only do I now know how to use the word “wicked” properly in a sentence, I’ve also learned about a few kiddo “Maine-isms” I can’t wait to experience with my daughter.

Your toddler will never put the “r” at the end of words – it’s not a phase: “Be a little nice-ah or I’ll tell mom and she’ll put you in the corn-ah.”

Photo by Chris Cousins

Photo by Chris Cousins

Lobster crate races are a rite of passage: Two years into living here, and I have yet to experience this great initiation. I plan on remedying that this summah.

You can point out a kid “from away” based on the condition of his bug bites in the summer: When my midwife first met me last summer, she knew I was from away because my bug bites were so bad. She said a lot of children and some adults who move here from out of state have severe reactions to the black flies and mosquitoes. Hopefully the reaction I get goes away eventually, but for now, I pus and scratch all summer long, even getting asked occasionally by strangers if I have a skin disease. It’s great, I know.

Photo by Katherine Cassidy for the BDN

Photo by Katherine Cassidy for the BDN

Each winter season requires multiple pairs of mittens: Oh, and don’t forget the duct tape to keep them on.

Baby’s first word may be “wicked”: And once he really learns to talk, just watch out. Soon he’ll be too “right out straight” to do chores.

 

Natalie Feulner

About Natalie Feulner

Natalie Feulner is a journalist and “semi-crunchy” cloth diapering momma to a rambunctious toddler named after a county in California. She drinks too much tea and loves to climb rocks but not at the same time.