Boston Slang: 25 Wicked Good Terms You Should Know

Boston has plenty to adore: its rich history, vibrant culture, and legendary sports teams. However, the city's slang often doesn’t get the same love. Mastering these terms can be as challenging as nailing the infamous Boston accent, which has tripped up many actors. Want to fit in during your visit? Enjoy a cold Sam Adams Summer Ale, play some Dropkick Murphys on Spotify, and use this guide to sound like a local in no time.

The Hub and Beantown

Boston is known by many nicknames, but one of the most iconic is The Hub. This term was introduced in 1858 by Oliver Wendell Holmes in an essay for The Atlantic Monthly, where he declared: “Boston State-House is the hub of the solar system. You couldn’t pry that out of a Boston man if you had the tire of all creation straightened out for a crowbar.”

Although Holmes was poking fun at Bostonians for their inflated self-importance, the nickname has become a beloved term for many locals. They now use it fondly to refer to their city, while also playfully dismissing any critics.

The roots of Beantown, another controversial nickname, are somewhat murky. It might stem from the city’s enduring passion for baked beans or trace back to the notorious “triangular trade,” where Boston traded rum for enslaved people, who were then sent to Caribbean sugar plantations to produce sugar, molasses, and other profitable goods. Since molasses was essential for baked bean recipes, both explanations hold some weight.

Dunks, The Pike, and Regular

Got a long drive ahead on the Pike (also known as the Massachusetts Turnpike)? You’ll probably want to stop by Dunks—short for Dunkin’, previously called Dunkin’ Donuts—to grab a treat for the road. A trip to this iconic chain, known as a Dunks run, is practically a Boston tradition, as essential as hate-watching The Departed. Keep in mind, if you order a “regular,” it comes with cream and sugar. And don’t be shocked to see locals sipping iced coffee in freezing weather—it’s a true New England move.

Masshole

A playful blend of Massachusetts and asshole, the term Masshole captures the stereotype often associated with Bay State residents: someone who speeds down highways, skips their r’s, and might be a little too devoted to the New England Patriots.

The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) formally added the term in 2015, defining it as “a derogatory term for someone from Massachusetts.” However, it’s been a staple in the New England vocabulary for years. Author Matt Ridley used it in his 1989 book Warts and All, which covered the 1988 presidential election, noting: “New Hampshire locals have a nickname for Massachusetts transplants: Massholes.”

While some Bostonians view it as the worst insult—and might even use it against each other, especially during road rage incidents—others embrace it as a mark of pride, earned through their unapologetic local identity.

Rotary

No one enjoys driving in circles, particularly around Boston. Whether you’re battling Newton Corner at peak traffic or trying to survive Fresh Pond Parkway, most drivers would prefer to avoid the rotary—Massachusetts’ term for a roundabout.

While rotaries and roundabouts are technically distinct—rotaries involve larger, faster-moving circles with less clearly defined lanes—few locals can actually explain the nuances. It’s just part of the driving chaos.

Packie

If your dad needs to grab cigarettes and a six-pack, he’s likely heading to the packie. As noted in Green’s Dictionary of Slang, this term—short for package store—has been slang for a liquor store since the 1970s.

According to food historian Robert F. Moss, who wrote Southern Spirits: 400 Years of Drinking in the American South, the term originated in the pre-Prohibition era. Back then, laws in some states restricted retailers from selling alcohol purchased from out-of-state suppliers unless it remained in its “original packaging.” This led to the rise of package stores, where customers could buy alcohol directly in its original bottles or containers. In Massachusetts, the name simply endured.

Fluffernutter

A favorite in children’s lunchboxes throughout Massachusetts, the fluffernutter (pronounced “fluff-AH-nut-AH”) is a twist on the traditional peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Swap the jelly for Marshmallow Fluff, spread it on white bread with peanut butter, and you’ve got a treat that’s as sugary as it is likely to cause a sugar rush.

Both the sandwich and marshmallow creme originated in Massachusetts in the late 1910s. Emma Curtis is recognized for making the sandwich famous during World War I, dubbing it a “Liberty Sandwich.” (The term fluffernutter didn’t appear until the 1960s, thanks to a marketing push.) Every year, crowds gather in Somerville’s Union Square for the What the Fluff? festival, a lively event celebrating local arts, culture, and all things marshmallow creme.

Bang a Uey and Blinker

In a city like Boston, where parking is a nightmare, drivers quickly learn to spot street parking like pros. If you see a perfect spot just around the corner but you’re headed the wrong way, you’ll need to bang a Uey—slang for making a quick U-turn.

While it’s a classic Masshole maneuver, it’s practically a survival skill here. If you’re feeling courteous, flip on your blinker (pronounced “blink-AH”), the local term for a turn signal. Sure, some drivers might still honk or gesture as they pass, but at least you tried.

Frappe

Would a milkshake still taste as delightful under a different name? In Boston, it certainly does, where these creamy treats are called frappes (pronounced “frap”). Visitors might mix it up with a frappé (pronounced “fra-PAY”), which elsewhere refers to a chilled dessert drink or a beverage poured over shaved ice.

The T

Heading to a game at Fenway? Skip the parking fees and take the T, short for the MBTA (Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority), Boston’s public transit system. Sure, you might endure a sweaty wait at Park Street for the Green Line to Kenmore, but it’s all worth it when you breeze past the traffic on Lansdowne Street.

The Green Monster

When talking about Fenway, the Green Monster is impossible to overlook. This 37-foot-tall, 231-foot-long wall in left field is infamous for making home runs a challenge for opposing teams. Originally called “The Wall,” it was covered in advertisements until 1947, when Red Sox owner Tom Yawkey decided to paint it green. Since then, it’s become an iconic part of Boston Red Sox lore.

Allston Christmas

Every September 1, Boston becomes a hub of activity as thousands of college students and recent graduates move in and out of the city. This chaotic period also brings Allston Christmas, a unique opportunity for scavengers.

During this unofficial holiday, sidewalks in neighborhoods like Allston and Brighton overflow with free items—lamps, toasters, desks, and bookcases—as residents clear out their apartments. With so many student renters nearby, these areas become treasure troves. As the saying goes, one person’s trash is another’s treasure, and this event proves it. (Just be cautious of bed bugs!)

Storrowed

A time-honored tradition as iconic as the Boston Marathon, storrowing is synonymous with Allston Christmas. It describes the annual Labor Day weekend chaos when newcomers try to drive moving trucks under Storrow Drive’s low overpasses.

Despite the parkway’s 10-foot height limit, many still attempt to squeeze through, often resulting in expensive damage and traffic snarls. To avoid being storrowed (i.e., stuck in that embarrassing predicament), pay attention to the warning signs—especially along Storrow Drive and Soldiers Field Road—and proceed with caution in September, unless you want your truck to get an irreversible makeover.

Hoodsie

For those torn between chocolate and vanilla ice cream, a Hoodsie is the ideal solution. Also known as a Hoodsie cup, this single-serving treat comes in a small paper cup with a wooden spoon, evoking childhood memories for New Englanders. The peel-off lids, once adorned with images of celebrities like Bing Crosby, Charlton Heston, Roy Rogers, and Judy Garland, as well as famous athletes, add to its charm. Produced by HP Hood, a company based in Lynnfield, Massachusetts, it’s a nostalgic favorite.

Jimmies

While most places call them sprinkles, in Boston, they’re known as jimmies—those tiny candy bits you might sprinkle over a Hoodsie cup. Some locals insist the term only refers to the chocolate kind, while others use it for both chocolate and rainbow varieties.

The origin of the term is hotly debated. The Just Born candy company, established in 1923, is often credited with popularizing the treat in 1930, naming it after Jimmy Bartholomew, an employee who ran the production machine. Jimmies arrived in Boston in the late 1940s thanks to Brigham’s Ice Cream, which boasted being the first to offer the topping for free, cementing its status as a local favorite.

Snopes reports that chocolate sprinkles were around in the early 1920s, predating Just Born. Some believe they were created earlier by a housewife for her son’s birthday, casting doubt on the popular origin story. Another theory links the term to Jim Crow, but neither Snopes nor Boston.com found proof of any racist intent.

Elastic

That rubber band you use to tie up your hair? In Boston, it’s called an “elastic.” In the 1950s, the Hook Brown Company, based in Massachusetts, patented the first fabric-covered “elastic loop fastener,” a forerunner to the modern scrunchie. This invention allowed people to style their hair effortlessly, and the original name has stuck in the region ever since.

Dungarees

The debate between flares and skinny jeans might define generational fashion clashes, but for grandparents north of I-90, it’s all just dungarees. This term, often used by older generations, refers to any pair of denim jeans, regardless of style.

The OED traces dungarees back to the 17th century, likely originating from Dongari Killa (meaning “hill fort”), now Dongri, a port city near Mumbai. The Hindi word dungri refers to the coarse fabric produced there, typically dyed indigo. By the 1800s, the British East India Company exported this fabric to the West, where it was used to make durable, affordable workwear. Over time, the term evolved to describe the pants themselves, particularly overalls—trousers with a bib and shoulder straps.

The term “dungarees” persists in Massachusetts, possibly due to old school dress codes. Before the 1970s, many schools banned denim jeans. In Dedham, students protested with walkouts and chants of “We want dungarees!” during what’s now called “Dungaree Day.” The ban ended by 1974, but for many Boomers, the term still applies to any denim pants, whether high-rise, low-rise, or overalls.

Three-Decker and Southie

A three-decker (or triple-decker) is a three-story apartment building with a unit on each floor. Thousands were constructed across Boston in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to house multigenerational immigrant families, many of Irish descent. These homes typically feature front and back porches and multiple bedrooms. While Dorchester, Roxbury, and Southie (short for South Boston) are famous for them, three-deckers are also common in Massachusetts mill towns like Fall River, Lowell, and Worcester (pronounced “woos-TER,” not “WOR-ches-ter”).

Space-saver

After a nor’easter, you might spot something unusual: beach chairs, coolers, and other large items lining snow-covered streets. While it may seem odd, these curbside objects are called space-savers, used to reserve parking spots you’ve shoveled out. They’re typically valid for up to 48 hours after a snow emergency, but moving one to park is done at your own risk.

Wicked and Pissah

Spend enough time in Boston, and you’ll likely hear someone or something referred to as “a real pissah.” Don’t be offended—it’s actually a compliment in Beantown, often used playfully to describe something or someone you find impressive or awesome.

Calling someone a “wicked pissah” (or “wicked smart,” like in the Good Will Hunting scene) is even higher praise. While wicked typically means “morally evil” or “harmful,” in Boston, it’s used as an intensifier. According to Merriam-Webster, it emphasizes something “to an extreme or impressive degree.”

Linguists suggest its use as an intensifier might trace back to the Salem Witch Trials of the 1690s or even Shakespeare’s Macbeth (with the line “Something wicked this way comes”). But for most New Englanders, wicked simply means really or very.