What the heck did that Alaskan just say?

One thing’s for sure, Alaskans sure do talk funny. They say all sorts of words that just don’t seem to make sense. It’s almost like they have their own cult-like secret language. If you’re a tourist on a cruise, this can be frustrating. You don’t want Alaskans to think you’re some kind of Cheechako, right? Oh, wait. That’s one of those weird Alaskan words. Well, let’s just jump right in here and find out…

What the heck did that Alaskan just say?

When Alaskans use words you don’t understand or in some seemingly incorrect context, they probably aren’t making fun of you. After years of living in the bush, you start to develop certain linguistic habits that outsiders may find odd. Consider this blog a glossary of sorts for all of those weird things Alaskans always seem to say.

“Hey Floretta, Did you see the lights last night?”

When you hear one rugged Alaskan ask another this question, they aren’t talking about drugs or alien spaceships. When Alaskans say “the lights” they are actually talking about the aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights.

“Be sure to bring your extra toughs on the fishing trip, Bernice.”

Again, this is not a drug reference. Extra toughs, actually spelled Xtratufs, are a type of rubber boot worn all over Alaska because it’s often rainy and we like doing things outdoors.

“Are you going down south with Clarabell next month?”

This is not innuendo or a veiled sexual reference. Alaskans call the lower 48 states “down south” for some reason. Nobody really knows why. You may also hear an Alaskan say, “Are you going to the lower 48” but it should be pretty obvious what they’re talking about.

“Would you like to go mushing with Ludwig this Saturday?”

This question has nothing to do with mashed potatoes. Mushing is a word that Alaskans use to describe dog sledding because you have to yell “mush” to make the dogs go.

“Sephora is such a Cheechako. She wore sneakers on the glacier trek!”

There’s that word again. A Cheechako is someone new to Alaska. Similar to a greenhorn down south. If someone has been in Alaska and knows that wearing sneakers on a glacier is stupid, you would call them a “sourdough.”

“Did you have any luck with those humpies, Billy Bob?”

The word “humpy” has nothing to do with STDs. Alaskans call spawning pink salmon humpies because they develop a pronounced hump on their back when they enter freshwater. Pretty crazy stuff.

“Glorinda said she saw a cinnamon bear in your yard last night.”

Cinnamon bears have nothing to do with pastries or pies. If a black bear is brown, they call it a cinnamon bear for some reason. It really doesn’t make much sense, but there you have it.

“Those northern lights were amazing, Violina! I hope we can get some more.”

This is a drug reference related to marijuana. If an Alaskan is talking about real northern lights they will say “the lights” as we learned above.

Now you won’t feel left out of the conversation

Hopefully, you enjoyed today’s blog about the weird things Alaskans say. Now you can talk like a rugged Alaskan and make everyone believe you’re a super cool sourdough like us.