Opening Day

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This morning on my way to work, I drove past a pumpkin patch. In that pumpkin patch was a deer, just
looking around, trying to find the perfect pumpkin for breakfast. It was a majestic site, but my first thought was, "watch it, deer." Why? Because today is the opening day of (regular firearm) hunting season in Michigan.

Why do I know this? Because in Michigan Opening Day is a big deal. In fact, when I was growing up, we didn't even have school the first day of hunting season. No one in my immediate family hunts, and it's not something I'm interested in (though I'm not opposed to it - the deer population in Michigan is seriously huge. I see them out and about nearly every day as I'm driving around town), but growing up in Michigan you can't help but be aware of the start of hunting season. It's part of being a Midwesterner.

Yesterday, a facebook friend of mine posted a link to an article about sayings that are unique to Midwesterners. I read through the list and assessed if they are true to Michiganders or not. I mean, not all Midwesterners are the same. Not all Michiganders are the same either - you have the Yoopers, the trolls, the fudgies, Ted Nugent, the townies, the farmers, and so on. So I guess I'm not speaking for all Michiganders when I assess these sayings but in my experience, here is what I think.

Without further ado, here is the list of Midwestern sayings from this article (link) with my assessments:

1. "If I had my druthers" - No. I mean, yes, this is said, but no it is not common. I've never said it in my life, nor to I intend to. Maybe because I'm under 60 years old.

2. "Oh for cute!" or "Oh for fun!" - No. In fact, I thought this was a Utah thing. I wouldn't be caught dead saying either of these.

3. "For crying out loud!" - Yes. I say this all the time. Doesn't everyone?

4. "That makes as much sense as government cheese." What!? No. I mean, I don't even know what that means. I know what government cheese is but I've never heard that expression in all my days.

5. "He's schnookered." No. I guess in context, I might be able to figure out what it means but I don't think this is a regular saying.

6. "The frozen choosen." No! Who says that!?

7. "Slow as molasses in January." Hmmm... I've said the first part but I don't add "in January." That's too specific. Let's be real, February is as cold as January. So is March. I don't even want to talk about April. Let's just leave it at "Slow as molasses" and call it a day.

8. "Duck duck gray duck." WHAT is that!? NO! We don't say that. It's Duck Duck Goose, the end.

9. "He's got the holler tail." I don't know what that means and I don't want to know. Maybe it's a product of incest or something.

10. "Puthergoin-eh." I can't even.... I mean, what does that even mean!? Makes no sense.

11. "Tough tomatoes." I think I've heard this one before but it's by no means common in my experience.

12. "You betcha." Maybe I'm just not country enough for these sayings. Maybe because I didn't grow up on a farm or something but seriously, while I have of course heard this saying, I don't say it myself. And neither 99% of the people I know.

13. "Dontcha know." Once again, this feels like a very country thing to say. I don't know if Michigan humans actually say it or not, but it feels more like something someone in a book would say.

14. "Uff Da" - Never heard of this, never want to hear of it. Don't know what it means. I'd like to keep it that way.

Michiganders, what do you think? Have you heard of these?

And if you're from other states, what are some common sayings where you're from?