Things They Say in New England That the Rest of Us Probably Don't Get

Stymied, at a standstill, or behind, as in “I’m all aback with my homework.”

“Yes,” especially in Maine The first syllable is sometimes pronounced to rhyme with “day,” but the term is apparently derived from the old English term (now mostly nautical) “aye” — as in “Aye, aye, Captain.”

Also “bang a U-ie.” To make a U-turn. (In other parts of the country, the phrase might be “Hang a Uey.”). It is also possible to “Bang a left” or “a right.”

A Boston term meaning to call in sick to work. “Bang” also means to move quickly (see “bang a Uey,” above), so to bang out could also be to book it (see below).

A trash can or garbage bin.