6 Popular Phrases Only True Oneonta, New York Residents Use

Let's say you're on vacation, you're living your best life, and you're somewhere that only locals know about. To you, they might as well be speaking Greek.

Now imagine you're a baseball family visiting Oneonta from Arizona, and you hear people on the street talking.

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We definitely have a unique way about us here in Oneonta right down to the jargon we use day in and day out.

Are there things you've had to explain in detail to friends and family when they come to visit? Has confusion and later laughter ensued?

Let's break down some of the local etymology, shall we?

Are we taking 88 or 7?

There are two main arteries in our area that will bring you to bigger cities in our region. Interstate 88 is the highway that will take you to Albany or Binghamton respectively. Route 7 is the scenic back road that parallels the interstate. I-88 is notorious for construction, so this conversation will vary depending on work activity.

Going to Stewart's, iced or hot?

Stewart's Shops is one of our local gas and convenience options, and iconic in our region. Their dairy products rank consistently high and win awards. Their coffee is really pretty good too. There's devotees to both their hot and iced coffees, but someone going on a run will always give options for both.

Want a half or ribs from Brooks?

When you get this call, you know you're in business. The half refers to their chicken half, prepared on their bbq pit and served with their famous sauce. Just about every meat eater in Oneonta has been presented with this question.

Who the heck was General Clinton?

Nobody seems to know - or care - who General Clinton was, or why his name is slapped on to so many things, but when you reference his name, you're speaking to a bar that no longer exists, a plaza, apartments, or a canoe regatta.

I miss the Yankees

No matter what conversation I seem to engage in, someone brings up the Oneonta Yankees, our hometown team from 1967-1998. Though it's been 25 years since they left, they continue to be a hometown favorite.

Cold cheese on your slice?

I know, every article or report about Oneonta mentions cold cheese pizza. If I didn't include it, some yahoo on Facebook would chew me out for omitting its inclusion, so here it is. I hope you're happy, future heckler!