For Pioneer Day, let’s take a fun little tour of the Utah accent—also known as the Mormon or Pioneer accent. It’s its own thing, a bit different from the typical Midwest sound, and oddly overlooked by linguists. But if you know what to listen for, you’ll catch it all over Utah, southern Idaho, eastern Nevada, southwestern Wyoming, and parts of western Colorado. The Greatest Hits of the Utah...
I think probably the first time I heard the term Cracker was in Gone With the Wind. Maybe it’s a Southern word. I don’t think I’ve ever heard it used by a Westerner, at least not un-self-consciously. Many people I’ve asked have no idea what it means even though most have heard it. I read Gone With the Wind in high school, and got the basic meaning from the context and from...
The Colorado Rockies aren’t doing so well in the World Series. First time there, maybe last time. Our boys are losing 6-5 as I write. Less humiliating than losing 13-1, as they did in the first game. I tried without luck to get tickets to today’s game. Even losing, I wish I had. The stadium is just a 15 minute walk south, and its parking lot is behind our complex. Thinking about...