Just like anywhere else, Alaska has its jargon, slang, and things that people have to do and think about just to live here.
For instance, in Florida people have to think twice about walking close to the edge of a lake or slough because of alligators that lie in wait for an unsuspecting animal of just about any kind to walk by and give them chance at dinner. People in big cities have to be alert to gangs and their colors. People in Eugene, Oregon have to ignore the rain!
I have to take a good look around before the dogs and I venture out of the house just to be sure there aren't any moose in the yard. Finding a bear in a my neighborhood is not unheard of, but rather rare. A few wander through every year in one or two places, and are generally shot, unfortunately. The moose is probably the most dangerous animal to the most people in Alaska. and definitely the most dangerous to tourists, who routinely think that Bullwinkle is a big, friendly pet. In reality he or she will stomp the living daylights out of you!
It isn't just watching out for big animals, it's seeing my neighbors out with their dog team every day on my way to work. It's the cold, it's the lights, it's the bugs...
So here are a list of keywords that Alaskans will recognize. Others, maybe not so much.
1. Bunny boots
2. Sugar snow
3. snow machine
4. Uncle Ted
5. Camp robber
6. Red poll
7. four-wheeler
8. ice fog
9. sled dog
10. Yukon Quest
11. Blue tarp
12. Outhouse
13. "Cabin" (doesn't have water)
14. "House" (does have water)
15. Has water (has plumbing)
16. Plug-in
17. sparkle snow/glitter snow
18. light box
19. Solstice
20. Oly pop
21. Toyo
22. Monitor
There are plenty more, but it will be interesting to see how many non-Alaskans know what these are! Post your guesses below....many are obvious, and not necessarily unique to Alaska...in those cases guess why that item is on the list. Happy guessing!
