A Travel Nurse’s Cheat Sheet for Understanding Boston
One of the most desirable and sought-after travel nursing destinations is Boston, Massachusetts. With its world-class medical and educational facilities, rich American history, distinctive seasons, and vibrant cultural attractions, landing a travel nursing job in Boston Massachusetts is a career high-point for many nurses.
One of the keys to success for an enjoyable time in Boston while on assignment is understanding the unique “terminology” that many Bostonians use in everyday life that may seem strangely foreign to a traveler coming from say, Sacramento or Minneapolis.
In an effort to assist those travel nurses who are considering an assignment in Boston, Go Healthcare Staffing has compiled a list of key words and phrases that will help you navigate the “Bostonian language” as deftly as a Boston cabbie driving through the winding roads of the Back Bay and cutting old ladies off.
- “Wicked”: In Boston, this does not mean “evil” or “witch-like”, nor does it refer to the popular Broadway play. Wicked is used as an adjective to replace the word “really”. An example: “That chowdah (editor’s note: more on “chowdah” later) was WICKED good!” Alternatively one could say “the Pats (editor’s note: more on them later) played WICKED bad on Sunday against the Jets (editor’s note: according to Bostonians, this is something that would never happen in real life).”
The term “wicked” can also be paired with “pissah” to form the very powerful combination of “wicked-pissah.” In this instance, “pissah” does not mean someone who urinates, but instead means really, really, really something. Example: “That was a wicked-pissah good movie.”
- “Tonic”: In Boston, one does not go into a convenience store seeking “pop” or “soda”. If you’re looking for “pop”, the proprietor may think you’re looking for his dad. If you ask for “soda”, you may get referred to the aisle containing Arm & Hammer. Ask for “tonic”, instead. In Boston, tonic is not an old fashioned hair product – it’s a generic terms for Coke, Pepsi or other carbonated beverages.
- “Chowdah”: a delicious concoction of clams (or fish) with enough cream, butter, salt and other we-know-it’s-so-bad-but-it’s-so-damn-good ingredients that it requires an angioplasty for many right after they consume it.
- “Packie”: Ok – pay close attention here. This can be absolutely critical to your enjoyment of Boston for those that enjoy adult beverages. A “Packie” is not a Green Bay Packers fan (editor’s note: Bostonians hate any other stinkin’ football team that plays their beloved Patriots – more on that later); it’s a package store. A package store in Boston sells, beer, wine and other spirits. Grocery stores, convenience stores and gas stations DO NOT (with some thankfully wonderful exceptions) sell alcohol. In addition, many packies are closed on Sundays. So plan accordingly. Enough said.
- “Boston Cream Pie”: A confectionary delight that has nothing to do with “pie” at all. It’s a cake with custard filling and chocolate frosting. Why call it a pie? Don’t ask – just eat it. You won’t regret it. Just like chowdah.
- “I’m headin’ down the Cape for the weekend”: As you may have figured out, the “Cape” refers to beloved Cape Cod, a delight in any season and the equivalent of the French Riviera for many native sons and daughters. The real issue here is that from the Boston area, the Cape is really due east, not south or “down”. South is where New York is and no true Bostonian ever wants to go to New York.
- “Ya…I’m going ta Dunkies to get a lahge regulah hawt – want anythin’?”: Roughly translated in the wild, this means “I’m going to Dunkin Donuts to get a large hot coffee with cream and sugar in it, would you care for anything while I’m there?”
- “Pats, Sawx, Bs and Celts”: Pay even closer attention here, because this could be critical to your social success in this sports-crazy town. The “Pats” are the New England Patriots. Ironically, they don’t play in Boston, they play in Foxboro (30 miles outside the city) but the rest of the US thinks otherwise due to clever tourism advertising. Their quarterback is Tom Brady. To understand his stature in Boston, one needs to understand that many Irish Catholic families now have 3 iconic pictures on their dining room wall; the Pope, JFK and Tom Brady. The “Sawx” are the Red Sox. If the Sawx are playing poorly it can ruin a Bostonian’s “summah.” The “Bs” are not the flying little pollinators but rather the Boston Bruins hockey club. The “Celts” are the Boston basketball Celtics, and the “C” is pronounced like an “S” instead of a hard “C”. Why? Just like Boston cream pie; don’t ask, just do it.
- “Blinkah”: This refers to your car’s directional signals. Note: most Bostonians don’t bother to use them at all.
- “Grinder”: Want a submarine sandwich or a hoagie for lunch or “suppah” (also known as supper)? Good luck finding one. That’s not because Boston doesn’t have them, it’s because no one will understand what you’re taking about. Submarine sandwiches are known as “grinders” in the Boston area. Not because they’re tough to chew, but just…because, that’s why.
We hope this cheat sheet helps you to better understand Bostonians and the unique features of the city they call “the Hub of the Universe”. If you’re interested in travel nursing assignments in Boston, Go Healthcare staffing has several Boston travel nursing jobs now available. You can also contact one of our experienced travel nurse recruiters at 844-966-8773. Boston travel nursing jobs for October and November starts – we think you’ll have a wicked good time!
