1

Pancakes

Image: Ala

Imagine you are a tourist in Michigan and decide to go for pancakes. You enter a suitable establishment, sit at the counter, and ask… what, exactly? Yes, most people call them pancakes, and there is a fair chance that you will receive just that without further questions, but if you want to speak like a local, you will ask for flapjacks .

The "flap" part of flapjack is derived from the word the British used to mean "flip." As for the "jack" part, historians say it may refer to the small size of the pancake because "jack" referred to something that was small. You’ll hear pancakes more in the North and flapjacks in the South, but there are exceptions, such as the Flapjack Shack in Traverse City, Michigan.

2

Dessert Toppings

Image: Kate Trysh

For many Americans, dessert toppings for ice creams and milkshakes are like cheese on a pizza: a must. If you happen to be one of them and are visiting New England, you should know that the local word for toppings is " with jimmies. "

Jimmies are a subgroup of the larger category of dessert toppings known as sprinkles, although people across the U.S. might use the terms interchangeably. Jimmies are cylindrical sprinkles, but some people use the word to refer specifically to chocolate or colored varieties. As for round sprinkles, they are technically marketed as nonpareils.

3

Cold Sandwiches

Image: Allen Rad

The word "sandwich" has come to represent practically any food that is stuffed between two pieces of bread and can be eaten—usually—with your hands. But in certain regions of America, this ubiquitous food item goes by different names.

Pennsylvania has its own term: hoagie . Back in the day, the Italian-American community lived in an area called Hog Island, and local cooks were known for their big "Hog Island Sandwiches," which eventually became known as "hoagies." In New England, many people call a sandwich a grinder . That’s because it’s traditionally made from Italian bread, which has a thicker crust than the typical sandwich bread.

4

Stuffing or Dressing?

Image: Louis Hansel

In the northern parts of the U.S., stuffing refers to the thick mixture of seasoned breadcrumbs or croutons often used to fill poultry dishes.

But, in the southern parts of the country, the word used to describe that is dressing . Yes, the same word that is used in the North to describe any kind of liquid topping for salads. It can be confusing, right?

5

Pop or Soda?

Image: Taylor Swayze

Soft drinks are referred to by different names in different parts of the country. If you are on the East Coast, along the Illinois-Missouri border, in southeastern Wisconsin, California, or nearby areas, you probably call it soda .

However, if you are from the Great Plains region or the Midwest, you likely refer to it as pop . And, if you refer to it as Coke or cola —whether it’s Coca-Cola or something else—you’re most likely from the South.

6

Jelly donuts as Bismarck

Image: Leon Ephraïm

Jelly donuts are quintessentially American. These delicious pastries filled with sweet jelly are everywhere—and for good reason. However, in the midwestern region of the country, as well as in Alberta and Saskatchewan in Canada, jelly donuts have a different name altogether.

That is because the German immigrants who settled in the region named the dessert "Bismarck" after the 19th-century Prussian chancellor, Otto von Bismarck because those pastries were a favorite snack of his.

7

Milkshakes as "frappes"

Image: Sebastian Coman Photography

A milkshake and a frappe are pretty much the same thing across most of the country—and even the world, we dare say. However, that’s not the case in New England. If you were to ask for a milkshake in that area, you would receive a slightly different—but equally delicious—beverage.

Nearly everywhere else in the U.S., a milkshake is made with milk, ice cream, and syrup blended together. But in New England, that's a recipe for a frappe . A milkshake in that part of America consists of just milk and syrup, shaken or blended until a foamy head appears.

8

Casseroles as a hotdish

Image: sheri silver

A casserole is a warm dish made by layering meat, vegetables, and noodles, along with a can of condensed soup thrown into the mix and then taken to the oven. However, in Minnesota, that same recipe is called a hot dish.

According to Howard Mohr, author of How to Talk Minnesotan , "A traditional main course, hotdish is cooked and served hot in a single baking dish and commonly appears at family reunions and church suppers."

9

Poached Egg vs. Dropped Egg

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New England has appeared a couple of times already on this list, and it’s about to make another appearance. In most parts of the country, the cooking technique of gently dropping an egg into boiling water is called "poaching an egg."

But in New England, the name for this technique has a much more literal term, calling this particular preparation a dropped egg .

10

Peppers and Mangoes

Image: Paul Morley

We’ll close this list with perhaps the most curious case of regional naming we came across. In the Midwestern region of the country, a "mango" does not refer to the tropical fruit commonly known as a mango.

Instead, if a midwesterner asks for a mango at a local grocery store, they will receive a mild, green bell pepper . The suggested explanation for this is that as green bell peppers ripen, they develop red-gold splotches that make them look similar to mangos.

1

Los Angeles, California

Image: Venti Views

The Spanish settlers who arrived in the area in the 18th century originally named it El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Ángeles , which translates to "The Town of Our Lady the Queen of the Angels." Elegant, but kind of a mouthful for a town name! Over time, the Spanish name stuck, but it was shortened to the more practical "Los Angeles." The city officially adopted this name when it was incorporated in 1850, the same year California became a state.

2

New York City, New York

Image: Colton Duke

Before becoming the one and only New York we know today, the city went by a different name. In the 17th century, the Dutch settlers who arrived in the area called it New Amsterdam . However, when the English seized control in 1664, they renamed it New York in honor of the Duke of York.

3

Seattle, Washington

Image: Michael Discenza

Seattle is more than its iconic Space Needle; it has a long history that shaped the city we know today. When European settlers arrived in the area in 1851, they named their settlement New York and added the Chinook word Alki , meaning "by and by," "someday," or "later," suggesting it would one day become as big as New York City. However, in 1852, they changed the settlement’s name to Seattle in honor of Chief Sealth, a Duwamish and Suquamish leader.

4

Portland, Oregon

Image: Zack Spear

Early settlers referred to the area as The Clearing because it stood out from the dense forests typical of the Pacific Northwest. But in 1845, an event occurred that would change everything. Portland’s two founders, Asa Lovejoy from Boston, Massachusetts, and Francis W. Pettygrove from Portland , Maine, each wanted to name the new settlement after their hometown. So how did they decide? Simple: they flipped a coin . Of course, you know who won!

5

Kansas City, Missouri

Image: Farhodjon Chinberdiev

Kansas City was originally founded as the Town of Kansas in 1850, named for its location near the Kansas River. As it quickly grew, it was reincorporated just three years later as the City of Kansas . Finally, in 1889, it officially became Kansas City.

Fun fact: Kansas City, Missouri, was actually founded before the state of Kansas!

6

Charleston, South Carolina

Image: Tyrone Sanders

Before it became the city we know today, Charleston had another name, though not so different. When it was first settled in 1670, the English named it Charles Town in honor of King Charles II. However, over time, the name gradually evolved in pronunciation to Charleston. In 1783, after the Revolutionary War, the city was officially renamed Charleston.

7

San Diego, California

Image: Sean Mullowney

San Diego was the first site on the US West Coast settled by Europeans, which is why it's often called "the Birthplace of California." When Spanish explorers arrived in the area in 1542, they named the bay after a different saint: San Miguel . But years later, in 1602, explorer Sebastián Vizcaíno renamed it San Diego, in honor of San Diego de Alcalá (Saint Didacus of Alcalá).

8

Orlando, Florida

Image: Aditya Vyas

In 1840, the first settlers arrived in what we know today as Orlando. They were the Jernigan family, who named the place after themselves. A post office with that name was even established in 1850. However, about 6 years later, Jernigan officially changed to Orlando. Although the exact reason isn't entirely clear, there are several theories. A popular one claims it was named after Orlando Reeves, a soldier who may have died in the area during the Seminole Wars. Another well-known theory suggests the name came from Orlando , a character in Shakespeare’s As You Like It .

9

Cincinnati, Ohio

Image: Matt Koffel

In the 1780s, the first settlement in this area was called Losantiville , a name created from a mix of words meaning "The town opposite the mouth of the Licking River." But in 1790, the first governor of the Northwest Territory, who was also a member of the Society of the Cincinnati (named in honor of the Roman general Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus), disliked Losantiville and decided to change it to its present name.

10

Atlanta, Georgia

Image: Christopher Alvarenga

Atlanta didn't just have one or two names; it had three! By the mid-19th century, the area where the city stands today had become a transportation hub where several railroad lines converged. Because of this, in 1837, the area was called Terminus , meaning "the end of the line." Then, in 1843, the name was changed to Marthasville , in honor of Martha, the daughter of Georgia Governor Wilson Lumpkin. Finally, just two years later, the city was renamed Atlanta. This name is believed to be a shortened form of "Atlantic," referring to the Western and Atlantic Railroad.

1

A song born from the battle

Image: Benjamin Faust

Our anthem was written in mid-September 1814 by Francis Scott Key. But what was it that brought those words to his mind? Well, the lyrics were inspired by the sight of the American flag flying after the British navy was defeated at the Battle of Baltimore.

Key penned the words while observing the conflict at Fort McHenry during the War of 1812. Originally, the anthem began as a poem, not as a song.

It celebrated the fort’s resilience, symbolizing hope for a young nation. Key’s words quickly gained popularity and were eventually set to the tune of an old British song. Little did he know, it would go on to become the anthem we sing today.

2

What’s in a name?

Image: Joshua Woods

Considering what we said before, it’s logical to think The Star-Spangled Banner wasn’t the original title, do you know what it was?

Key’s poem was originally titled "The Defence of Fort McHenry," a clear reference to the conflict that served as his inspiration.

It wasn’t until October or November of 1814, when the first sheet music was printed, that the title changed to the more poetic "The Star-Spangled Banner."

The new name broadened its appeal, allowing it to reach a larger audience who quickly embraced it. It was a name that spoke not just to the battle, but to the pride of the entire nation. This small change made a big difference in how the song was received.

3

A song for all languages

Image: Etienne Girardet

You probably already knew part of these details, but what about this one? Did you know the anthem was translated into German?

During the Civil War, Key’s anthem found a new life: Union supporters translated it into German to recruit German-speaking volunteers for the militia.

That was just the beginning, but it certainly wasn’t the last time it was translated. Over the years, the song has been translated into more than a dozen languages, making it accessible to Americans from diverse backgrounds. This highlights the anthem’s flexibility, which adapts to the times and reaches new groups. After all, freedom and perseverance aren’t exclusively American traits, don’t you think?

4

Baseball’s favorite tune

Image: Wade Austin Ellis

We are all very much used to starting important ceremonies or sporting events by proudly singing the national anthem, but, as you can imagine, there was a first time for that too. Do you know about it?

"The Star-Spangled Banner" made its debut at a sporting event in 1862 during the opening of a baseball stadium in Brooklyn, New York. This marked the first time it was played at a professional game.

Its connection to sports grew stronger over the years, and now it’s a tradition to hear the anthem at nearly every major sporting event. It’s the perfect way to kick off the game, uniting fans in a shared moment of patriotism before the competition begins.

5

Congress made it official… eventually

Image: Joshua Sukoff

The military had already embraced it as an inspirational song, and it had become a tradition to play it at sporting events, but it wasn’t really official until Congress said so and that didn’t happen until 1931. What about that?

The process wasn’t simple, either. Congress debated the decision, facing opposition from various groups—Prohibitionists, pacifists, and even music teachers—but we’ll explore those details in the next section.

Alternatives like "America, the Beautiful" were suggested, but in the end, Key’s song won out. President Herbert Hoover signed the act, and the rest was history: we finally had a national anthem!

6

It’s not easy to sing!

Image: Laith Abuabdu

Remember we said teachers were against it? Can you imagine why? On their side, one of the main complaints about "The Star-Spangled Banner" was that it’s too difficult to sing . And we have to hand it to them, the anthem is notoriously hard to perform.

In terms of scales, the original melody spans an octave and a fifth, a range that challenges even professional vocalists. This explains why many groups struggle with the anthem during public performances. How many can say they’ve truly mastered it—are you one of them?

In any case, the tune, originally a British drinking song, wasn’t designed for mass sing-alongs. No wonder it’s become a patriotic rite of passage to attempt singing it!

7

Women fought for its adoption

Image: Library of Congress

Although it’s not always mentioned first when narrating our history, women have been instrumental in many key moments, and the story of "The Star-Spangled Banner" is no exception.

Women played a significant role in pushing for the anthem’s adoption as the national anthem, how so? The Daughters of the War of 1812, a patriotic women’s organization, were among the most vocal advocates. While some groups opposed it, this organization was very much in favor of it.

Their activism helped build momentum for the 1931 legislation that ultimately led to the anthem’s adoption. In an era when political opportunities for women were limited, this cause offered them a platform to engage in national issues. They succeeded, of course, because persistence pays off!

8

There is no "official" version

Image: Alessio Fiorentino

This might sound far-fetched, but it doesn’t mean there are alternate lyrics to our anthem. Rather, there’s no single, official version of "The Star-Spangled Banner." While various states have tried to legislate performance styles and etiquette, there isn’t a definitive version set in stone.

This flexibility has allowed for creative interpretations, ranging from traditional orchestral performances to more modern adaptations, depending on the context and the event.

And even if it would be nice to have an official version, this gives everyone the possibility to bring new aspects to our national hymn!

9

Jimi Hendrix’s legendary performance

Image: Aditya Wardhana

Proof of what we just said, that the lack of an official version gives place to create amazing new interpretations is Jimi Hendrix’s legendary performance. The psychedelic rock guitarist brought a fresh, rebellious spin to "The Star-Spangled Banner" when he performed it at the 1969 Woodstock Festival . While many are familiar with his electrifying Woodstock rendition, Hendrix actually performed the anthem in concert many more times, over 60 times to be specific.

His interpretation added a new layer of meaning, capturing the turbulent spirit of the era. And even though not everyone liked it, no one can deny that, given the context, it was a powerful message!

10

Do you know the four verses?

Image: Towfiqu barbhuiya

Most of us are familiar with only the first verse of "The Star-Spangled Banner," but did you know the anthem actually has four verses ?

Now, four verses were enough and we can understand that tradition is to sing only the first due to time constraints. But, as it turns out, in 1861, Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. added a fifth verse, advocating for the end of slavery.

While the additional verses are rarely sung, they tell a richer story of American values and challenges. So, even if you never sing it, you can read the full version and enjoy learning about American ideals!