While all states laid claim to a fair few words and phrases that outsiders just wouldn’t get, the most misunderstood are: Louisiana- A whopping 72% of Louisiana natives felt that their state’s own language was often misunderstood by other Americans. Hawaiian surfers use this term towards novice white surfersīlacks in Hawaii who attempt to pass themselves off as ethnically Hawaiian.- **48% of ALABAMIANS** believe they have slang words and phrases that other states wouldn’t understand- and they also claim to have invented the now popular phrase ‘hot minute’- **41% of Americans** believe their state has specific slang words that those from other states wouldn’t understand# Most MisunderstoodPlayNJ asked people from all 50 states if they had any specific words or slang that ‘out-staters’ wouldn’t understand. Kanaka, Kane, KanakeoleĪ Hawaiian word meaning simply 'person.' Whites and Asians began to use it in a disparaging way and for most of the 19th and 20th century it was equivalent to 'nigger.' In recent times, Hawaiians have made great efforts to 'reclaim' the word from its negative associations and often describe themselves as 'kanaka maoli' or 'native people.' That said, non-Hawaiian natives should still excercise great care when attempting to use the term. It comes from the Hawaiian term 'hapa haole,' which means 'half-white.' It is becoming increasingly used by the Asian Pacific American community and is not necessarily considered derogatory. This is a term that describes somebody of mixed ethnic or racial background, usually (but not always) Asian/Pacific Islander and Caucasian. Almost exclusively used as a derogatory word for whites after the U.S. Hawaiian: Haole is a contraction of ha (breath) and a'ole (no) meaning 'no breath' used to described foreigners who shook hands instead of greeting nose to nose like the Hawaiians. Originally from 'buta-head' meaning pig-headed since Hawaiians were stubborn compared to their mainland counterparts.

Poho hawaiian slang