Here are 16 hilarious sayings and expressions you’ll only hear in Washington, each capturing a bit of the unique local character or inside joke. Many are distinctive to the state and may sound truly odd or funny to outsiders.
“The Mountain is Out”
Residents use this when Mount Rainier is visible after the clouds part, symbolizing a rare clear day and local pride.
“Do the Puyallup”
This classic refers to attending the Washington State Fair in Puyallup, a rite of passage for generations in the state.
“Warshington”
Many locals add an extra “r” to the state’s name, leading to the infamous pronunciation “Warshington”.
“Pop”
Washingtonians commonly use “pop” instead of “soda,” sparking confusion among out-of-staters.
“Joe Joes”
Instead of calling them “potato wedges,” people order “Joe Joes” at local grocery stores and delis.
“Rack of Beer”
A twenty-four pack is always called a “rack,” while a half-rack means twelve—never just “a case”.
“Sun Break”
Locals get excited about a “sun break,” a fleeting interval of sunshine in an otherwise cloudy day.
“Over on the Coast”
Central and Eastern Washingtonians refer to the Puget Sound area simply as “the coast”.
“Bumbershoot”
Both an umbrella and the name of a long-running Seattle arts festival.
“Grunge”
Besides its global music meaning, “grunge” is still used in Washington to describe a certain rainy-weather look or attitude.
“Cheese Zombie”
A Central Washington school lunch treat—a gooey cheese-stuffed bread delight unfamiliar anywhere else.
“Tolo”
A local term for a Sadie Hawkins school dance, borrowed from Chinook Jargon.
“The Emerald City”
The nickname for Seattle, used more often than “Seattle” itself by longtime locals.
“Spendy”
Used instead of “expensive,” as in “That rain jacket is pretty spendy”.
“Skookum”
From Chinook jargon, meaning strong, sturdy, or impressive—used for everything from trees to trucks.
“The Boys Are Back in Town”
Popular in Navy towns like Bremerton and Everett, signaling the return of sailors from deployment.
These sayings showcase the humor, climate quirks, regional foods, and linguistic influences shaping Washington’s unique speech—and illustrate the state’s playful approach to both its weather and its culture.
Sources
(https://97rockonline.com/washington-state-slang/)
(https://kw3.com/washington-phrases/)
(https://www.reddit.com/r/Seattle/comments/1bvyx86/what_are_some_wordsphrases_that_people_in_seattle/)
(https://www.movoto.com/guide/wa/washington-words/)
(https://929thebull.com/9-slang-words-and-phrases-in-washington/)
