Your City Defined

 Philly Accent (Filé Ack-scent)

Do you talk like a Philly native?

Your City Defined

 Philly Accent (Filé Ack-scent)

Do you talk like a Philly native?

You know it by “wooder,” but there is more to the accent, which some Philadelphians don’t even realize exists. Philly speak is a weird cocktail of Northern and Southern accents, with rounded vowels that transform words like soda and house into sewda and hay-ouse.

Wanna know if you have the accent? Repeat this passage aloud, while recording it on your smart phone:

I have to run down to Acme; all we’ve got is bagels, mustard, and Italian rolls at the house. Oh, we need orange juice. Did you eat?

Yes I know the Eagles are playing tonight. While you watch the game, I’m going to relax in the bedroom. I got a new scented candle that smells like ocean water.

Now, listen back. How do you say words like Acme? Does it have two or three syllables when you mention the grocery store aloud?

Here’s how a true Philadelphia native (complete with accent) would sound:

I have to run down to Ac-a-me; all we’ve got is beggels, mustard, and eye-talian rolls at the house. Oh, we need AARnj juice. Jeet?

Yes I know the Iggles are playing tonight. While you watch the game, I’m going to relax in the beddruum. I got a new scenid candle that smells like ocean wooder.

The Philadelphia Citizen will only publish thoughtful, civil comments. If your post is offensive, not only will we not publish it, we'll laugh at you while hitting delete.

Support Your Local Journalism. "With your help, we can be the antidote to the failures of big media, the bitterness of national politics, your post-election malaise and the confusion about what to do now" - Roxanne Patel Shepelavy, Executive Director, The Philadelphia Citizen. Button that says Give that leads to a donation page for end of year fundraising. Your gift will fund independent, local journalism and solutions for Philadelphia.

Be a Citizen Editor

Suggest a Story

Advertising Terms

We do not accept political ads, issue advocacy ads, ads containing expletives, ads featuring photos of children without documented right of use, ads paid for by PACs, and other content deemed to be partisan or misaligned with our mission. The Philadelphia Citizen is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, nonpartisan organization and all affiliate content will be nonpartisan in nature. Advertisements are approved fully at The Citizen's discretion. Advertisements and sponsorships have different tax-deductible eligibility. For questions or clarification on these conditions, please contact Director of Sales & Philanthropy Kristin Long at [email protected] or call (609)-602-0145.