Phun Philadelphia Phacts From A to Z
(Adapted from Philly 101: A crash course of the Philadelphia scene)

A is for
Attitude n. (atty-tood) Attitude is everything! This town is full of it. You got a problem with that?

B is for
Broad Street n. (brod street) Paris has the Champs Elysees, we got Broad Street. Ours is better: Rocky didn't run down no Champs Elysees. Besides, where else could you find, as on a recent day, 12 miles of street vendors, gas stations, used-car dealerships, fast-food joints, churches, synagogues, upscale restaurants, and abandoned buildings, along with four armed forces recruiting stations, three hospitals, two Greek Revival-style buildings, and one circus. You can stop looking for 14th Street. Broad is sandwiched by 13th and 15th. Which brings us to . .

C is for
Cheesesteak n. (cheez-stake) Haute cuisine, Philly-style. Along with hoagies (known outside the area as a "sub" or "hero" sandwich -- DO NOT USE!), one of the Official Philadelphia Phoods. Ideal because it satisfies all the major food groups: meat, dairy, bread, and grease.

D is for
Diner n. (die-nr) Still alive and well here. There's the Melrose in South Philly, Nifty Fifties in the Northeast, and a slew of others in between. The last hope for fans of great, aged meat loaf. (The dinner, not l'artiste)

E is for
E-A-G-L-E-S n. (e-gels) As in what Philadelphians think to be the sports team in Philadelphia. They play at the new state-of-the-art Lincoln Financial Field. Sunday's in Philly during Eagles season is also known as pandemonium in Philadelphia.

F is for
First adj. (furst) As in, Philadelphia is the home of the first insane asylum, the first electronic computer, and the first Philapalooza concert (back in 1687), just to name a few. Natives pride themselves on these firsts, which a great reason Philly's cooler than Pittsburgh.

G is for
Grammarians n. (gram-air-ee-uns) Yo, we ain't.

H is for
Hawks n. (hok) As in the mascot of the Saint Joseph's University. As in the "Hawk Will Never Die," according to Sports Illustrated as "the most defiant cheer in college sports."

I is for
Italian Market n. (ee-tah-lee-an mark-it) Open-air shopping area in South Philly down around Ninth and Washington where you can buy everything from produce to platform shoes. Authentic Philadelphia. All business transactions must be prefaced with Yo.

J is for
Jersey n. (jer-zee) As in New. The state to the right that's turned the suburban housing development and the shopping mall into an art form. Also home to some of suburbia's weirder-sounding names, such as Hi-Nella Borough, Shamong Township and Ongs Hat. Not to be outdone, Pennsylvania has . . .

K is for
King of Prussia n. (keng ov prush-ah) Whatever you do, don't ask whether you can meet the King of Prussia. This is the name of a suburban community in nearby Montgomery County, not a person. KoP is the largest mall on the east coast, and the second largest in America. Only the Mall of America near Minneapolis is larger.

L is for
Liberty Bell n. (li-burr-tee bel) Timeless symbol of freedom and democracy right at Fifth and Market. The inscription reads: "Don’t blame me, I didn’t crack it!"

M is for
Mummers n. (mum-rz) Participants in a New Year's Day tradition, who parade down Broad Street clad in sequins, feathers, elaborate headpieces, gaudy makeup and . . . well, you'll know them when you see them.

N is for
Names n. (ree-nay-md) Looking for City Line Avenue? Some local give you bad directions? Try looking for signs for City Avenue instead. While you’re at it, try 476 instead of The Blue Route, 76 instead of The Schuylkill Expressway, 676 for The Vine Street Expressway, and substitute Christopher Columbus Avenue for Delaware Avenue. Locals are the only ones privileged enough to know what those directional signs really mean.

O is for
Old City n. (ohld sit-ee) Neighborhood near the Delaware River that encompasses the city's historic area and Society Hill. In some circles, it goes by its British spelling: Olde City -- but that's mainly used by tourism folkes.

P is for
Park n. (par-k) As in Fairmount Park, the largest metropolitan park in the nation. City's hub of outdoor recreation, picnicking, softball, Rollerblading, cycling, jogging, rowing, painting and making out. It's a massive system that covers 8,700 acres, compared to The Mall’s 146 acres. Just one reason Philly's better than DC.

Q is for
Quaker n. (kwayk-r) Pacifists who were influential in the founding of the city and state in the 17th century. These gentle, nonviolent folks count among their number city founder William Penn, the guy whose statue tops off City Hall and whose likeness can be spotted elsewhere around the city. No matter what, don't tell the natives he looks just like the guy on the oatmeal box.

R is for
Reading Terminal Market n. (red-eng ter-men-al mark-it) The granddaddy of all grocery stores. For Center City's freshest fruits, veggies, fish, chicken, cow tongue, whatever . . . head down to 12th and Arch Streets. They have it all, every manner of food you might want and even some you don't. (Yes, you read correctly: cow tongue.)

S is for
Schuylkill n. (skoo-kill) It's pronounced skoo-kill. Not shy-l-kyle. Not schway-kle. Schuylkill. Just like it's spelled. One of two rivers -- the Delaware being the other -- that meander through Philadelphia.

T is for
Tastykake n. (tays-tee-kayk) Local institution specializing in pies and other delectable, fattening confections. Another of the Official Philadelphia Phoods.

U is for
University City n. (you-knee-ver-sit-ee sit-ee) West Philadelphia neighborhood that is home to Drexel University, University of the Sciences in Philadelphia (formerly known as PCPS), and the University of Pennsylvania. Studies have shown that University City residents consume more beer, more pizza, and more Cliffs Notes than residents of any other neighborhood.

V is for
Vet n. (vet) Nickname for Veterans Stadium at Broad and Pattison in South Philly, home to the Phillies and Eagles. The Vet is part of the city's sports complex, which also includes the First Union Spectrum and the First Union Center, where the Flyers and Sixers play.

W is for
Wawa n. (wah-wah) Philadelphia's entry in the 24-hour convenience store wars. Think of Wawa as a 7-Eleven or Circle K. Just as expensive and just as chic.

X is for
X n. (ekks) As in X marks the spot. This is where you want to be in 2005.

Y is for
Yo interj. (yo) Webster's says this word was used as far back as the 15th century, but we all know it was actually invented here. The quintessential, all-purpose Philly Phrase. Mostly used as a greeting, also as an expression of happiness, grief, alarm, etc. Usage: "Yo, gimme a cheesesteak." Not: "Yo momma."

Z is for
Zoo n. (z-oo) America’s first zoo, located in Fairmount Park (see P). Home of many varied species of animals, including lions, and tigers, and two cuddly panda bears (oh my!), and tourists of course!