Essential English phrases

The standard St. Louis opening question, asked of adults in their forties. The answer signals neighbourhood, religion and class in one word, and locals decode it instantly. Newcomers find it baffling and then find themselves asking it.

A local pejorative for someone unrefined or trashy. Nothing to do with Indiana — this meaning exists essentially only in St. Louis, and it will confuse anyone you use it on elsewhere.

The local pronunciation of 'wash', with an intruded R. A genuine St. Louis dialect marker, along with 'farty' for forty. You will hear it most from people who grew up in south city.

Two entirely separate governments. St. Louis City left St. Louis County in 1876 and is not in any county at all — different police, courts, schools, assessor and taxes, on a line most maps do not draw.

Delmar Boulevard, and the abrupt demographic and economic split between the streets immediately north and south of it. It is one of the most documented segregation boundaries in America and locals reference it directly.

The city's 1% earnings tax, filed on Form E-1. Charged on residents wherever they earn and on non-residents for work performed inside the city line. Voters must reauthorise it every five years and did so again in April 2026.

The Italian neighbourhood south-west of downtown, still Italian rather than nostalgically so — fire hydrants painted green, white and red, and Yogi Berra and Joe Garagiola grew up across the street from each other on Elizabeth Avenue.

The Delmar Loop in University City — a mile of restaurants, record shops and music venues, named for a streetcar turnaround. Technically in the county, not the city, which matters for your tax return.

Toasted ravioli — breaded, deep-fried, dipped in marinara. Invented on The Hill and on essentially every menu in the metro, including the ones that should know better.

A processed blend of cheddar, Swiss and provolone with a low melting point, used on St. Louis-style pizza. Sold almost nowhere else on earth. Opinions about it are strongly held and never neutral.

Frozen custard blended so thick it is handed to you upside down to prove it will not fall out. Ted Drewes on Chippewa is the institution; the queue in July is part of it.

A tornado WATCH means conditions are favourable; a WARNING means one has been spotted or indicated on radar and you go to the basement now. St. Louis sits on the eastern edge of the severe-weather corridor and the distinction is not academic.