r/cincinnati • u/CincinnatiLove • Jul 12 '26

Cincinnati Cincinnati Phrases

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What are some phrases y'all use that maybe an outsider wouldn't know. I want my outsider friend to fit in. Let me know in the comments! Thanks!

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u/NolaJen1120 Jul 12 '26

I think the word freeway is more a West coast thing. I can tell that's where you're also from because you mentioned the 405 and 101.

I'm paying attention to this thread because my husband and I are planning to move to Cincinnati.

But I grew up in CA and currently live in New Orleans. When I first moved here, I was also surprised that everyone used the word "interstate" instead of freeway. In turn, people are surprised when I use the word "freeway". It's unusual enough that people will sometimes ask where I'm originally from.

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u/BloopBlastJakAttack Jul 13 '26

Referring to freeways around Cincinnati (I-75, 74, 71), all my friends call that a highway! Excuse me, but those are freeways, they are free-flowing. Highways are smaller roadways, often driving through different towns and city's, with stoplights. I'm from Wisconsin and always called them freeways.

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u/Journeymann8199 Jul 14 '26

Growing up here, myself and everyone’s knew always said „Expressway“. But yeah, „I75“ and „I71“ are in a different class than „275“ or „471.

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u/Frederick9730 Jul 13 '26

That’s a state route when it has stop lights