Every state has its own way of talking. Wisconsin just happens to have a better snack table.

This Wisconsin slang dictionary is a guide to the words, phrases, sayings and local definitions that make the Badger State sound like itself. Some are true Wisconsin originals. Some belong to the broader Upper Midwest. Some came from taverns, supper clubs, deer camps, dairy farms, Badgers games, Packers Sundays or the back seat of a car headed Up North.

Together, they form a kind of Wisconsin lexicon: part dictionary, part inside joke, part cultural survival guide. It is where a drinking fountain becomes a bubbler, fresh cheese curds become squeaky cheese, a polite “you betcha” can mean three different things, and “cows out” can still make a former farm kid sit straight up in bed.

Bears Still Suck

A popular Wisconsin sports taunt and catchphrase used by Green Bay Packers fans to mock their archrivals, the Chicago Bears. While variants of the phrase were tossed around by fans in the 1980s, it was permanently cemented into Wisconsin sports lore in 1991 with the release of the anthem "The Bears Still Suck Polka". The song was written by Jim Krueger and performed by The Happy Schnapps Combo, a comedic polka band from Manitowoc, Wisconsin.

Beer & cheese fridge

The extra refrigerator in the garage that is reserved mostly for beer and cheese, but also overflow groceries and “company’s coming” supplies. In Wisconsin, it is less of an appliance and more of a household utility, especially before Packers games, holidays, fishing trips or any gathering involving more than four people.

Beer brat

A bratwurst simmered in beer, often with onions, before being grilled or browned. The beer brat is not clearly documented as a Wisconsin invention, but it is a Wisconsin signature food.

Beer City (or Brew City, Cream City)

Milwaukee. References the historic brewing industry and Cream City brick buildings.

Beer cheese

A spreadable cheese dip, usually made with cheddar, beer, garlic and seasonings, served with crackers, pretzels or rye bread. In Wisconsin, it belongs to the tavern, supper club and game-day snack universe: casual, salty, beer-friendly and meant for sharing.

Beer cheese soup

A rich soup made with beer and melted cheese, often cheddar, and commonly associated with Wisconsin’s taverns, supper clubs, breweries and dairy culture.

Believe you me

An old-fashioned emphatic phrase meaning “trust me,” “I’m telling you,” or “you better believe it.” In Wisconsin, it often shows up before a strong opinion, a weather warning or a mildly dramatic complaint. “Believe you me, that wind off the lake’ll go right through ya.”

The Birkie

The affectionate, universal nickname for the American Birkebeiner, which is the largest and most prestigious cross-country ski marathon in North America. Held annually every February in northern Wisconsin, the premier events stretch across a grueling, hilly 50-kilometer (31-mile) freestyle/skate race and a 53-to-55-kilometer classic-style race.

Blue Moon

Blue Moon is a legendary, vibrant, Smurf-blue ice cream flavor found at local creameries and grocery stores almost exclusively in Wisconsin parts of Michigan. It was formulated in Milwaukee, Wisconsin during the late 1930s by Bill "Doc" Sidon, a chemist for Petran Products, which officially trademarked the name. The exact recipe is a heavily guarded trade secret. While it is intensely sweet, its true flavor profile is a source of endless regional debate; the most common descriptions compare it to Froot Loops cereal milk, almond extract mixed with citrus oils, marshmallow, or cotton candy.

Booyah

A hearty chicken-based soup/stew (often with lots of vegetables). Also an exclamation of excitement. Tied to community events and tailgating.

Borrow me

A regional grammar twist meaning “lend me.” “Can you borrow me five bucks?” It sounds wrong to outsiders, but plenty of Wisconsinites and Upper Midwesterners recognize it.

Brandy Slush

A semi-frozen, big-batch cocktail made from a base of sweetened black or green tea, frozen fruit juice concentrates, and brandy. Brandy Slush is a cultural staple of Wisconsin. It gained massive popularity in the 1960s and 1970s with the widespread availability of home freezers and frozen juice concentrates.

Brat

Short for bratwurst, but in Wisconsin it is not just sausage. It is a civic food category. “We’re grilling brats before the game.”

Brat fry

A fundraiser or community cookout where brats are grilled and sold, often outside a grocery store, tavern, church or fire station. Very Wisconsin.

Brew Crew (or The Crew)

A nickname for the Milwaukee Brewers, Wisconsin’s Major League Baseball team. It plays off both the team name and the state’s long beer-brewing identity.

Bucky (or Bucky Badger)

Bucky is the energetic, striped mascot for the Wisconsin Badgers.

Bubbler

A drinking fountain. Probably the most famous Wisconsinism, especially in Milwaukee and eastern Wisconsin. “I’m going to get a drink from the bubbler.”

Bump

In the trick-taking card game of Euchre, a bump occurs when the team that chose the trump suit fails to win the majority of tricks (at least three out of five) in a hand. In other parts of the country the term most often used is "getting euchred," not to be confused with "getting schnookered," which easily confused because it can happen before getting bumped.

Cannibal sandwich

A Wisconsin holiday-season food tradition made with raw ground beef served on rye or cocktail rye, usually topped with raw onion, salt and pepper. It is especially associated with old-school tavern, butcher shop and family gatherings around Christmas and New Year’s. Also called tiger meat in some places. Health officials warn against eating it because raw ground beef can carry harmful bacteria.

Cheesehead

Originally an insult, now proudly claimed by Wisconsin sports fans and residents. It is most closely associated with Packers fans wearing foam cheese wedges, but it has expanded into a general Wisconsin identity marker.

Come here once

A Wisconsin/Upper Midwest phrase where “once” softens the command. It does not mean “one time.” It means something closer to “come here for a second.” “Come here once and look at this.”

Come with

A Wisconsin and Upper Midwest way of asking someone to come along, with the destination implied. “We’re going to Fleet Farm. Wanna come with?” Outsiders may wait for the rest of the sentence, but around here, that is the sentence.

Cool Whip container

Reusable plastic container that once held Cool Whip whipped topping but then is repurposed to hold leftovers, soup, cookies, hardware, garden seeds or anything else that needs a lid.

Cow pie

1. A flattened pile of manure left behind by a cow, usually found in a pasture, barnyard or livestock area. Despite the name, it is not edible and only vaguely resembles a pie in shape. Once hardened it is a biological frisbee that is flung at the Wisconsin State Cow Chip Throw in Prairie du Sac to see who can throw one the farthest.
2. An incredibly decadent, premium chocolate cluster manufactured by the Baraboo Candy Company. While it is explicitly shaped to mimic its lumpy, farmyard counterpart, it replaces field debris with a high-end mixture of rich caramel, roasted pecans, and premium milk chocolate.

Cow tipping

A mythical rural prank in which someone supposedly sneaks up on a sleeping cow and pushes it over. In reality, cows do not sleep standing up, and physics are firmly on the cow’s side. A full-grown dairy cow is large, heavy and balanced well enough that tipping one over is not a prank; it is a story told by people who have spent too much time away from actual cows.

Cows out

Often heard in the middle of the night, a dairy farm emergency meaning the cows have escaped the pasture, barnyard or fence line. Usually shouted with urgency, followed by everyone waking up or dropping what they’re doing to block the road, grab a gate, wave their arms and silently blame whichever sibling forgot to latch something.

Cripes sake

A mild Wisconsin-friendly exclamation used to express frustration, surprise or disbelief without actually swearing. It lives somewhere between “for crying out loud” and “what the hell,” but with better manners and a higher chance of being said by someone holding a casserole.

Davenport

An old-fashioned word for a couch or sofa, still heard in Wisconsin and the Upper Midwest, especially from grandparents or anyone who keeps plastic containers “because they’re still good.” “Go sit on the davenport” means the same thing as “go sit on the couch,” but with more lace curtains and coffee cake energy.

Deer Camp

The cabin, tent, or gathering spot for hunting buddies/families during rifle season. Cards, brats, stories, and (sometimes) actual hunting.

Discount Double Check

Aaron Rodgers’ signature touchdown celebration (sunglass motion + hip thrust). Still referenced fondly.

Driftless Region (also Driftless Area)

The Driftless Region is a 24,000-square-mile topographical anomaly in the American Midwest that was completely bypassed by the massive ice sheets of the last Ice Age. Because it escaped the crushing, bulldozing effects of continental glaciers, it stands in stark contrast to the surrounding flat plains. It is characterized by its rugged, pre-glacial terrain of steep limestone bluffs, deeply carved river valleys, and a dense network of cold-water trout streams.

Euchre

Not wholly owned by the state of Wisconsin, but absolutely part of the Wisconsin lexicon. It is a trick-taking card game, tavern skill, family tradition and occasional source of lifelong resentment. Wisconsin Euchre is often played to 11 points, but not always and is scored with a 5 and 6 card. Elsewhere it is typically played to 10 points.

Farm & Fleet

A Wisconsin-born retail chain selling farm supplies, tools, tires, work clothes, lawn equipment, hunting gear, snacks and nearly everything else a person might suddenly decide they need. Often confused with Fleet Farm, which is a different store. See Fleet Farm.

FIB

A not-always-affectionate term Wisconsinites use for Illinois drivers or tourists. The polite expansion is “Friendly Illinois Buddy.” The impolite one is much more common.

The Fifth Quarter

The post-game celebration/concert by the marching band after victories. Fans stick around for it.

Fish fry

Technically not slang, but in Wisconsin it is practically a weekly institution, especially on Fridays.

Fleet Farm

A Wisconsin-born retail chain selling farm supplies, tools, tires, work clothes, lawn equipment, hunting gear, snacks and nearly everything else a person might suddenly decide they need. Often confused with Farm & Fleet, which is a different store. See Farm & Fleet.

The Frozen Tundra

Lambeau Field. Refers to the brutally cold, iconic conditions often found there on Sundays late in the football season.

Go Pack Go!

The official chant. Shouted everywhere from bars to living rooms on game days.

Green and Gold

The Green Bay Packers, which are also the team colors. Also used as “fans bleed green and gold.”

Hard water fishing

Ice fishing (as opposed to open-water fishing). A big winter “up north” activity.

Hodag

A mythical, green, fanged beast supposedly captured in Rhinelander, Wisconsin, in 1893. It remains a hyper-local symbol, complete with massive festivals, statues, and historical lore native only to the Wisconsin.

Jump Around

The massive tradition at the start of the third quarter at Camp Randall where the entire stadium jumps to House of Pain’s song by the same name. The stadium literally shakes. A must-experience Badger moment.

Kiddie Cocktail

A sweet, non-alcoholic drink typically served to children (but not always) and designed to mimic a festive adult cocktail. Often called a Shirley Temple elsewhere. Ingredients include a carbonated mixer, grenadine, maraschino cherry juice and garnished with maraschino cherries.

KK

The Kollege Klub, a legendary University of Wisconsin college bar.

Krausened

Wisconsin bar slang for being drunk and/or overserved. The term comes from Old Style beer’s “fully kraeusened” brewing process, heavily promoted by the old G. Heileman Brewing Company of La Crosse. In practical use: “He drank way too much beer and got fully krausened.” Also see schnookered.

Kringle

A flaky, oval-shaped Danish pastry with Wisconsin royalty status, especially around Racine. Usually filled with fruit, nuts, cream cheese or other sweet fillings, then iced on top. In Wisconsin, a kringle is breakfast, dessert, a host gift and proof that someone stopped at the good bakery.

Kwik Trip

A Wisconsin-based convenience store, gas station, grocery stop, coffee source, doughnut case, fried-chicken counter, banana supplier and unofficial rural community center.

Madtown

A nickname for Madison, Wisconsin, especially tied to the University of Wisconsin, Badgers culture, State Street, campus life and the city’s proudly weird personality.

MKE

The airport code turned shorthand for Milwaukee. Everywhere from signs to social media: “MKE love” or “Back in MKE.”

Meat raffle

A tavern, VFW, fire department, church or community fundraiser where people buy raffle tickets for the chance to win packages of meat — often steaks, bacon, brats, roasts or assorted cuts. In Wisconsin, it is both a social event and a practical prize drawing, usually involving beer, jokes, local fundraising and someone going home with dinner.

Musky

Short for Muskellunge, Wisconsin’s state fish and a legendary "fish of 10,000 casts.” It has its own vibrant slang and culture, especially "up north" on big lakes. Musky fishing is a passionate, often obsessive pursuit involving big baits, long days, and monster fish.

No, yeah / yeah, no

Essential Wisconsin/Midwest conversational code. “Yeah, no” usually means no. “No, yeah” usually means yes. “Yeah, no, for sure” means the speaker has achieved full regional fluency.

Old fashioned sweet

In much of the country, an old fashioned means whiskey. In Wisconsin, the default often means brandy, muddled fruit, bitters and soda — usually ordered sweet with 7up. Also important: garnished with an orange slice and cherry.

On, Wisconsin!

The legendary fight song. Sung after big plays, at the end of games, and everywhere Badgers gather. “On, Wisconsin!” is the rallying cry.

Ope (or Ope!)

The tiny apology sound made when you almost bump into someone, interrupt, squeeze past, or realize you’re in the way. “Ope, just gonna sneak past ya,” popularized by the comedian Charlie Behrens.

Opening Day

1. The unofficial Wisconsin holiday that marks the start of deer gun season, when blaze orange becomes formalwear and half the state disappears into the woods before sunrise. 2. The first day of Major League Baseball season, an annual rite of passage for Brewers fans and one of the biggest, best tailgate parties of the year.

Orange Army

All the hunters in blaze orange vests/hats. Wisconsin supposedly becomes one of the largest “armies” in the world during this time.

Packer Backer

A devoted Green Bay Packers fan.

Schnookered

Drunk, fooled or stuck in a bad spot, depending on use. Also see krausened.

Shake of the Day

A Wisconsin tavern dice game where customers pay a small amount for a chance to roll five dice and win the daily pot, usually by getting five of a kind. Rules vary by bar, which is part of the charm. Not to be confused with what you do when your hands are still cold after pumping gas in January.

Sheepshead

A complex, trick-taking card game played with a modified 32-card deck (leaving out the 2s through 6s). It is popular in many parts of Wisconsin and was brought to America by German immigrants in the 19th century and its name is a literal translation of the German word Schafkopf. Sheepshead is also a type of fish and mushroom, both of which are also native to Wisconsin.

Ski

Wisconsin shorthand for a musky, or muskellunge, the toothy freshwater fish (see Musky). Also, what you have left after losing the other one during a wipeout while skiing at Tyrol Basin or Rib Mountain.

Skunked

Coming home empty-handed after a hunting or fishing trip.

Spotted Cow

The beloved farmhouse ale from New Glarus Brewing Co. and the Holy Grail of Wisconsin beer. It is famously sold only in Wisconsin. To locals, it is a reliable cooler staple; to visitors, it is often treated like contraband with a bottle cap.

Squeaky cheese

Fresh cheese curds, named for the little squeak they make against your teeth when they are fresh enough. In Wisconsin, squeaky cheese is both a snack and a freshness test: if it doesn’t squeak, someone may still eat the whole bag, but they’ll complain about it first.

State Street

The pedestrian-friendly Madison street connecting the Wisconsin State Capitol to the University of Wisconsin campus, lined with bars, restaurants, shops, students, street musicians, protests, costumes, bad decisions and late-night food.

Stop-and-go lights

Traffic lights. This one feels especially Wisconsin/Upper Midwest and oddly literal. “Turn left at the second stop-and-go light.”

Supper

The evening meal, especially in Wisconsin and the Upper Midwest, where “dinner” may still mean the big midday meal and “supper” means what you eat after chores.

Supper club

A deeply Wisconsin lexicon item. A supper club means old fashioneds, relish trays, prime rib, fish fry, wood paneling, and a place where dinner is not rushed.

Tavern cheese

See beer cheese.

Title Town

Green Bay’s nickname for its history of championships (13 NFL titles). “Welcome to Title Town.”

Tree-quarters

A Wisconsin-accented way of saying “three-quarters,” reflecting the way some speakers soften or drop the “th” sound so “three” comes out closer to “tree.” Often used jokingly or affectionately to imitate a local accent, as in “It’s about tree-quarters of a mile down the road.”

Turdy point buck

A Wisconsin-accented way of saying “thirty-point buck,” made famous by the comic deer-hunting song “Da Turdy Point Buck.” It is shorthand for exaggerated deer camp storytelling, thick Upper Midwest accents and the kind of legendary buck that somehow gets bigger every time the story is told.

Tyme machine

An ATM. This comes from TYME, a Wisconsin-based ATM network name that became generic for many people. Even after the name faded, the phrase stuck around with some Wisconsinites.

Whipping a Shitty

Pulling a sudden, aggressive, and often illegal U-turn in the middle of a street. The lore says that if a passenger misses a turn and yells "Oh, shit!", the driver responds by "whipping a shitty" to spin the car around and head back the other way. Plural for "whipping a shitty" is "whipping shitties."

U.P.

Short for the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, which Wisconsinites treat as both a neighbor and a spiritual annex. A place of cabins, pasties, snow, deer camps, Lake Superior, Packers fans and people who somehow make northern Wisconsin look tropical.

Uff da

A Scandinavian-rooted Upper Midwest expression used for exhaustion, surprise, sympathy, frustration or being mildly overwhelmed. In Wisconsin, it can mean anything from “that was a long day” to “that’s a lot of casserole” to “I just saw the property tax bill.”

Unthaw (or “un-thaw”)

To thaw something out.

Up North

A direction, a destination and a state of mind. It usually means cabins, lakes, woods, supper clubs, snowmobiles, fishing, deer camp or Door County-style escape. “We’re going up nort’ this weekend.”

When You’ve Said Wisconsin, You’ve Said it All

A University of Wisconsin marching band and Badgers football game-day song, sung to the tune of the 1970s Budweiser jingle “When You’ve Said Budweiser, You’ve Said It All.”

Yooper

Someone from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

You betcha

A flexible Upper Midwest expression that can mean yes, sure, no problem, absolutely, I agree, or even a polite brush-off depending on tone and situation. Said warmly, it is friendly and neighborly. Said flatly or with a little edge, it can mean something closer to “yeah, right,” “whatever you say,” or “screw you, but politely.”

– Know a Wisconsin word, phrase or bit of local slang we missed? Send it to New Glarus 360 and help us keep building this Wisconsin dictionary.

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