Transport
The L
thee el
The elevated rail system, and the transit network generally. Named for the elevated track, though much of it now runs underground and at grade.
Dibs
dibz
The winter custom of reserving a shovelled parking space with lawn chairs or milk crates. Not law, deeply enforced socially, and taking someone's dibs spot is a genuine provocation.
Daily life
The Loop
thuh loop
The central business district, named for the ring of elevated track that encircles it. Everything else is described as north, south or west of it.
Lake effect
layk uh-FEKT
Lake Michigan making the weather worse in both directions — heavier snow in winter, and a wind off the water that is colder than any forecast suggests.
Gym shoes
jim shooz
Trainers or sneakers. Chicago is one of the few American cities that says this, and it marks you as local.
The Ward
thuh word
Chicago is divided into 50 wards, each with an alderperson who has real power over local permits, zoning and services. Knowing your ward number is genuinely useful.
The Mag Mile
thuh mag myle
North Michigan Avenue's shopping stretch. Locals mostly avoid it, but everyone knows the term.
Food
Italian beef
ih-TAL-yun beef
Thin-sliced roast beef in gravy on a roll, ordered wet or dipped, with sweet peppers or giardiniera. The genuine local sandwich — deep dish is largely for visitors.
Giardiniera
jar-din-AIR-uh
Pickled vegetables in oil with chilli, on everything. Chicago-style is distinct from the Italian original and every household has a preferred jar.
Pop
pop
Fizzy drink. Not soda, not coke. This is the Midwest and the boundary is real.
Social
Sox or Cubs
sox or cubz
The North Side / South Side baseball divide, and a real proxy for which half of the city you belong to. You will be asked.
Emergency
911 / 311
nine-one-one / three-one-one
911 for emergencies; 311 for city services. Chicago's 311 is unusually effective — use it for street lights, potholes, rodents and rubbish.
Some of this may be out of date. Spotted something inaccurate? Help us keep it right for the next newcomer.