Frances I grew up in Rhode Island and now you got me thinking what some of the phrase that were used when I grew up there.  Got to give this one a little more thought.

George, I know, pretty funny when you stop to think about it:)  Should be some good Canadian phrases around, too.

I guess I've been around here so long I'm used to all of them and they all seem natural...but here goes. At an SF Giants game you can buy a Crab Sandwich ($15.00) a Caeser salad ($9.00) Garlic Fries ($6.00) and an Anchor Steam Beer ($8.50)...so the phrase I hear the most is "It cost How Much?!!" That applies to the cost of homes as well!

As a life long Californian I am happy to provide the key phrases for you, and when to use them. You can never go wrong with cool and dude.  Everyone is a dude...even women!  There is no such thing as dudette so don't go there! Cool probably best explains the laid back atmosphere...It's cool.  Those two words have never and will never go out of style. 

Now, stay away from trendy words like awesome and gnarley.  We NEVER use them and if you say those then we will know you are from CT!  And most importantly only natives can use the word RAD.  If anyone else uses it, it just does not work.  And we know when and how to use it. As an example, "How was your trip to Hawaii"?  "Dude, it was rad!  We met some very cool people". 

I enjoyed your post. It is funny how though we all speak the same language some of the phrases are typical to certain areas .

C'mon Al, Let's here something from Jersey!

Jim, good one!  I like how you think!  Do you know how to post a countdown clock for the Buffini Mastermind?  I'd love to have one on our family blog!

Jason, very nice!  thank you for posting with us:)

Gita, yes, there are sayings and accents that differ right in our own country!  God Bless America!

Hi Fran, I'll be in San Diego and I CAN'T WAIT!!  I grew up in New York but have lived almost 20 years here in Virginia.  I guess my contribution would be y'all and all y'all which is the plural of y'all.

I remember moving to Texas from California. Our teacher gave us a class assignment to define science words. The person next to me asked "how many do you like?" I said, "none of them." To which he replied "what?" I only later found out "how many do you like" means "how many do you lack" ... or- "how many do you have left?"

Nancy, I'll look for you!  I am sitting next to the Peak Performers:)  Always invited and not able to attend that event.  Hoping for 2009!

Chuck, Excellent, that is just what I meant.  Interesting!  Thanks for your comment:)

I would really encourage you to get to Peak Performers Fran, it's an incredible experience! If you think Mastermind is great, you won't believe Peak! The Fairmont on the Big Island is a terrific venue too!

Jim, Thanks for the tip! I have been invited six times and not able to attend!  College graduations and weddings have taken up my funds and time!  Hoping for 2009!

I have been in California most all my life.  I hadn't realized that we didn't point with a single finger.  Maybe 's because we aren't as coordinated as the rest of the country, and we're afraid we'll offend somebody by pointing with the wrong one - and in the wrong direction:-)