Beginner · 25 min · 18 words

Getting around

Roads, traffic, and what “the City” actually means

California geography is spoken in nicknames. The same phrase can mean San Francisco or downtown Los Angeles depending on who says it. The freeways have names, the traffic has a proper noun, and offering to “swoop” someone is how a lot of nights begin.

Visitors, new residents, and anyone listening to Californians talk about home.

Lessons

1. 1

   On the road

   Traffic is the small talk of California. These words let you follow it.

   6 words

2. 2

   City nicknames

   Getting these wrong marks you as an outsider faster than any slang word will.

   6 words

3. 3

   Neighborhoods and regions

   Directions, invitations, and lyrics all assume you know these shorthands.

   6 words