Talkin' Like a True Baltimoron
Alright, so you wanna sound like you just stepped off a crabcake stand on the Inner Harbor? Well, grab a Natty Boh, sit back, and let's dive into this whole Bawlmerese thing.
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| How To Do A Baltimore Accent |
Don't Be a Hon: The Basics
First off, let's get one thing straight: You're not trying to imitate a character from The Wire. That's a whole different level of gritty. We're going for a more casual, everyday Baltimorean vibe.
QuickTip: Slow down if the pace feels too fast.
The foundation of any good Baltimore accent is vowel reduction. That means turning those long, drawn-out vowels into quick, clipped sounds. For instance, "water" becomes "wadda," "about" becomes 'bout," and "Baltimore" becomes "Balmer." Got it? Good.
QuickTip: Stop scrolling fast, start reading slow.
Next up, the famous Baltimore "r." It's a bit of a roller coaster. Sometimes it's dropped entirely (like in "idea" becoming "idear"), and other times it's pronounced with a strong, almost guttural sound (like in "car" becoming "cah"). It's a tricky one, so don't sweat it if you don't nail it right away.
Tip: Don’t skim — absorb.
The Lingo: More Than Just Crabcakes
To really sound the part, you gotta pick up some local lingo. A few classics include:
QuickTip: Read line by line if it’s complex.
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- Hon: Short for "honey," but used for everyone, regardless of gender.
- Crabby: Someone who's grumpy or irritable.
- Bawls: Short for "balls," but used in a more playful way.
- Murph: A nickname for Baltimore.
And let's not forget the infamous "yooz guys" instead of "you guys."
Putting It All Together
Now, it's time to practice. Try reading a sentence out loud and see if you can transform it into Bawlmerese. For example, "I'm going to the store to get some milk" becomes "I'm goin' to the sto' to get some milk."
Remember, it's all about having fun with it. Don't be afraid to experiment and make mistakes. The more you practice, the better you'll get.
Disclaimer: While we're having a laugh here, it's important to respect the diversity of accents within Baltimore. Not everyone sounds the same, and there's no one "correct" way to speak Baltimorean.
How To... Bawlmerese Edition
- How to say "water" in Baltimore: Wadda
- How to say "about" in Baltimore: 'Bout
- How to greet someone casually in Baltimore: Hey hon!
- How to express frustration in Baltimore: Oh, for cryin' out loud!
- How to compliment someone in Baltimore: You're alright, kid.
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