SEABREEZE 1957
My 401K is now a 201K
This column is for those of you who are new to St. Mary's
County, with warmest welcome and hopes that you will become
acclimated quickly. As with any other region, there are
certain colloquialisms and traditions that exist no where
else on Earth. If you were going to Spain, you'd take a
Spanish phrase book, right? So without further ado, I bring
you "The St. Mary's County Dictionary":
The 7th: This term refers to the 7th election district,
which is north and slightly west of Leonardtown. Some of the
towns here are Bushwood, Chaptico, Colton's Point, and
Avenue. Where the Blessing of the Fleet is held. These
residents are known as "769-ers" because of their telephone
prefix.
De By Gawd, Cap'n: A waterman expression meaning "Yep,
that's right", or "I mean what I say". Listen to the context
in which it's said for which meaning to apply.
Stuffed Ham: A corned ham (not regular...it must be corned)
that has been scored and the scorings stuffed with a mixture
of cabbage, kale, onion, red pepper, and what ever else the
individual cook sees fit. It can either be mild or so spicy
it'll burn your nose hairs out. If you're at a party and you
see a platter of very pale sliced ham with green stuff all
over it, that's stuffed ham.
Bettyrussell's: Actually, this is Russell's Store in Valley
Lee, but everybody just says "Bettyrussell's" (all one
word). If someone tells you they live past Bettyrussell's,
they are referring to the area just off Rt. 249, turn right
at the Valley Lee post office.
The Park: As in "I'm going down to the Park". No, they're
not going to slide or picnic...they're going to Lexington
Park.
Downtown LP City: This is another euphemism for Lexington
Park. Don't be fooled... "LP" is not a city, and "downtown"
is the strip of road right outside the base main gate,
otherwise known as Great Mills Road. If you want city, you
must go...
Up The Road: Waldorf, or sometimes further. But mostly
Waldorf. Never refer to Calvert County as "up the road".
That is simply "Calvert".
Around The Corner: This could mean literally around the
corner, but usually means "somewhere in St. Mary's". Could
be Mechanicsville, could be Ridge. It's all around the
corner, even if it's miles away.
Religion: There are two predominant ones: Catholicism and
Softball.
Good Ol' Boy: As in "I'm a good ol' boy from St. Mary's
County", a popular bumper sticker. You needn't be elderly
nor male to carry the title "good ol' boy". This just means
that you were born and raised in the county, and stand high
in the community. Actually, you don't even have to have been
born here. I guess it's just a state of mind.
The Rag: St. Mary's has two main newspapers: The Enterprise
and the Rag, otherwise known as The St. Mary's Today, our
home town version of the National Enquirer. The stories are
meant for sensation, and you're not supposed to read it in
public. It's meant to be purchased furtively and read in the
privacy of your own home. You're no one in this county until
you've been maligned in the Rag. Wear it like a badge of
honor.
The Hotel St. Mary's: The corrections facility. Break the
law, become a guest of the Hotel St. Mary's.
There you have it..or at least it's a start. I'm sure that
our readers will come up with many more. Once again, we
welcome you to share the culture and heritage that is St.
Mary's County, the land of pleasant living.
County, with warmest welcome and hopes that you will become
acclimated quickly. As with any other region, there are
certain colloquialisms and traditions that exist no where
else on Earth. If you were going to Spain, you'd take a
Spanish phrase book, right? So without further ado, I bring
you "The St. Mary's County Dictionary":
The 7th: This term refers to the 7th election district,
which is north and slightly west of Leonardtown. Some of the
towns here are Bushwood, Chaptico, Colton's Point, and
Avenue. Where the Blessing of the Fleet is held. These
residents are known as "769-ers" because of their telephone
prefix.
De By Gawd, Cap'n: A waterman expression meaning "Yep,
that's right", or "I mean what I say". Listen to the context
in which it's said for which meaning to apply.
Stuffed Ham: A corned ham (not regular...it must be corned)
that has been scored and the scorings stuffed with a mixture
of cabbage, kale, onion, red pepper, and what ever else the
individual cook sees fit. It can either be mild or so spicy
it'll burn your nose hairs out. If you're at a party and you
see a platter of very pale sliced ham with green stuff all
over it, that's stuffed ham.
Bettyrussell's: Actually, this is Russell's Store in Valley
Lee, but everybody just says "Bettyrussell's" (all one
word). If someone tells you they live past Bettyrussell's,
they are referring to the area just off Rt. 249, turn right
at the Valley Lee post office.
The Park: As in "I'm going down to the Park". No, they're
not going to slide or picnic...they're going to Lexington
Park.
Downtown LP City: This is another euphemism for Lexington
Park. Don't be fooled... "LP" is not a city, and "downtown"
is the strip of road right outside the base main gate,
otherwise known as Great Mills Road. If you want city, you
must go...
Up The Road: Waldorf, or sometimes further. But mostly
Waldorf. Never refer to Calvert County as "up the road".
That is simply "Calvert".
Around The Corner: This could mean literally around the
corner, but usually means "somewhere in St. Mary's". Could
be Mechanicsville, could be Ridge. It's all around the
corner, even if it's miles away.
Religion: There are two predominant ones: Catholicism and
Softball.
Good Ol' Boy: As in "I'm a good ol' boy from St. Mary's
County", a popular bumper sticker. You needn't be elderly
nor male to carry the title "good ol' boy". This just means
that you were born and raised in the county, and stand high
in the community. Actually, you don't even have to have been
born here. I guess it's just a state of mind.
The Rag: St. Mary's has two main newspapers: The Enterprise
and the Rag, otherwise known as The St. Mary's Today, our
home town version of the National Enquirer. The stories are
meant for sensation, and you're not supposed to read it in
public. It's meant to be purchased furtively and read in the
privacy of your own home. You're no one in this county until
you've been maligned in the Rag. Wear it like a badge of
honor.
The Hotel St. Mary's: The corrections facility. Break the
law, become a guest of the Hotel St. Mary's.
There you have it..or at least it's a start. I'm sure that
our readers will come up with many more. Once again, we
welcome you to share the culture and heritage that is St.
Mary's County, the land of pleasant living.
