"How Cities Talk" S1 Ep4

Every city has a secret language.Not just accents — but words, phrases, foods, and tiny cultural habits that instantly tell you where someone is from.This week’s episode of How Cities Talk explores one of my favorite regional comparisons yet:Pittsburgh:“Jeet yet?”and chipped ham.Minnesota:Hotdish.Bars.And an almost religious distinction between casserole and hotdish.What sounds funny on the surface actually says a lot about working-class identity, immigration history, hospitality, regional pride, and the way communities hold onto culture through language.The older I get, the more I realize dialect isn’t just about words.It’s memory.It’s geography.It’s community.And sometimes it’s somebody’s grandma trying to feed you before you even answer the question.New episode out now. Get full access to Adam Beers at ayinzernamedadam.substack.com/subscribe