14 Must-Know Chicago Slang Terms for Locals and Visitors

Chicago, the Windy City, has gifted the world iconic creations like the Ferris wheel, deep-dish pizza, and the infamous Al Capone. Yet, some treasures remain exclusive to its residents. The distinct Midwestern twang can be challenging to grasp, and not understanding the city’s timeless slang is as egregious as topping your hot dog with ketchup. Master these phrases, and you’ll blend in like a true Chicagoan in no time.

1. Chi-town

Want to stick out as a visitor? Say “CHI” (like chai tea). Locals, however, opt for the softer “SHY-town” pronunciation. Still unsure? Take a cue from Kanye West’s 2009 track “Homecoming,” where he pays homage to his hometown in the opening seconds.

2. Da

For Chicago natives, da stands as the most cherished adjective, often replacing “the” (with dese and dose following suit for “these” and “those”). Immortalized by the Saturday Night Live skits featuring Chris Farley and his fellow “da Bears” enthusiasts, this term is essential for anyone trying to mimic the classic Chicago accent.

3. Dibs

While Merriam-Webster describes dibs as a claim or right—like saying, “I’ve got dibs on that slice of cake!”—it carries a unique significance in Chicago. Street parking is fiercely competitive, especially during snowy winters when shoveling out a car earns you some territorial rights. Locals mark their spots with lawn chairs, crates, or even old suitcases to declare “dibs.” Though a Tribune columnist officially linked this practice to the term in 1999, it gained traction after the 1967 blizzard, which buried the city under 23 inches of snow. Today, it remains one of Chicago’s most contentious (and occasionally violent) customs.

4. Fly the W

The tradition of raising a white W flag to celebrate a Chicago Cubs win dates back almost 100 years. As reported by the Chicago Tribune, when Wrigley Field installed a manual scoreboard in the late 1930s, operators would raise either a W or an L flag—representing wins and losses—to inform fans outside the stadium of the game's result. Initially, the flag was blue with a white W, but it transitioned to a white flag with blue letters in the 1980s. This design remains popular among loyal Cubs supporters, who proudly display their W flags on fire escapes, flagpoles, and garages following each victory.

5. The Frunchroom

The term frunchroom, a local slang for “front room,” refers to the main area guests enter upon arriving at a home—typically the living room, where families showcase their finest furniture and often enforce a no-shoes rule. The quirky pronunciation stems from the blending of “front room” with the distinct Chicago accent.

6. Athletic Footwear

While the East Coast favors 'sneakers' and much of the Midwest opts for 'tennis shoes,' Chicago stands out with its own unique term for athletic shoes, a label exclusive to the city.

7. Gems

This isn’t about precious stones like emeralds or rubies. In Chicago and its suburbs, when people say Jewels, they’re talking about Jewel-Osco, a well-known supermarket chain with close to 200 stores.

8. The Elevated Train

The L stands for “elevated,” describing the train routes that travel above Chicago’s streets. It’s commonly used as a general term for the Chicago Transit Authority’s public transportation network, which includes trains operating at ground level or underground as well.

9. Downtown Chicago: The Loop

One of Chicago’s nearly 80 neighborhoods, the Loop—referring to the city’s downtown—has two possible explanations for its name. One theory ties it to the 1880s cable cars, which looped around several blocks to turn around efficiently. However, historian Bruce Moffat suggests the term became a noun only after the introduction of the L, linking its origins to the elevated train lines installed between 1892 and 1897 that looped around this area.

10. Lake Shore Drive

If a Chicagoan mentions being on LSD, don’t assume they’re referring to the psychedelic drug lysergic acid diethylamide. More likely, they’re traveling along Lake Shore Drive, the scenic expressway bordering Lake Michigan. Despite its official renaming in 2021 to Jean-Baptiste Pointe DuSable Lake Shore Drive, honoring the city’s founder, locals still prefer the shorthand acronym when navigating.

11. Proof or Evidence

In Chicago, if someone responds with 'merch' during a conversation, they’re not talking about merchandise. Instead, they’re challenging you to back up your claim with evidence.

12. Sandwich

Craving something tasty? Consider ordering a sassage sammich, which is simply a sausage sandwich. Another local favorite is the Italian beef sandwich—just remember to request it wet, a term meaning you want it soaked in the flavorful juices from the cooking process.

13. Open Field

If a Chicago child mentions meeting a friend in the prairie, don’t imagine scenes from Little House. They’re referring to an empty lot where kids gather to play.

14. Duplex Building

Few sights are as quintessentially Chicago as rows of two-flats, brick apartment buildings designed with one unit on the first floor and another on the second, sharing a common entrance. While similar housing exists elsewhere, the term 'two-flat' is uniquely tied to Illinois, as search data confirms. These buildings, primarily constructed between 1900 and 1920, reflect the rise of Chicago’s middle class, as noted by WBEZ.

Two-flats offered dual advantages: they maximized space by building vertically and provided owners with rental income. As Matt Cole of Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago explained to WBEZ, 'the two-flat and three-flat are the backbone of Chicago’s architectural history.' Despite their historical importance, many two-flats are now being transformed into single-family homes, signaling a decline in their popularity.