The Boston Gift Shop Dictionary: Speak Like a Local (and Know What “Wicked” Really Means)

Ever heard someone say “Pahk the cah in Hahvahd Yahd” and thought, wait- what did they just say? Welcome to Boston, where the accent is iconic and every word tells a story.

Whether you’re visiting and looking for the best Boston souvenirs or you’ve lived here all your life, knowing the language is part of the charm. At L’Angolino Gift Shop in the North End, we celebrate Boston’s attitude, humor, and history through locally designed gifts that feel as real as the city itself.

Here’s your guide to speaking Boston - one wicked good word at a time.

The Boston Accent Translator

(Inspired by the local legends who keep the dialect alive.)

Suppah – Dinner

“Whaddya havin’ fah suppah?”

Dinner, but said with love (and maybe a little attitude).

Packie – Liquor Store

“Goin’ to the packie, need anything?”

Yes, Boston is the only city where a liquor store gets a nickname.

Wotah – Water

“Gimme a glass a wotah.”

We drop our Rs, but never our standards.

Bubbla – Water Fountain

“The bubbla’s next to the gym.”

No one else in the country says it this way. We do. We’re proud.

Baba – Barber

“Goin’ to see my baba.”

Haircuts, local gossip, Sox talk — the trifecta.

Lahf – Laugh

“That show was wicked funny, made me lahf.”

Boston humor: blunt, quick, and brutally honest.

Pahk – Park

“Can’t pahk here, kid.”

Never easy, always said loudly.

Wicked Smart – Intelligent

“She’s wicked smart - went to Harvard.”

It’s the ultimate Boston compliment.

Boston’s Personality in Gifts: Wicked, Honest, and Full of Charm

Boston isn’t just smart - it’s wicked smart. It’s proud without being pretentious, tough with a sense of humor, and full of warmth beneath the edge.

To visitors, Boston’s charm is in its history and confidence- every brick and accent feels alive.

To locals, Boston’s charm is in the details: the coffee orders, the nicknames, the loyalty, the humor that outsiders never totally get (but we love trying to explain).

That’s what makes bringing home a Boston gift more than just a souvenir. It’s bringing home part of the story.

Why a Boston Souvenir Is Worth It

A T-shirt that says “Wicked Good” or “The Sauciest Part of Boston” isn’t just a design - it’s a declaration of city pride. A candle that smells like espresso and sea air brings back memories of walking through the North End.

Every Boston souvenir from L’Angolino Gift Shop is designed with that in mind: to make you feel connected to this city’s humor, grit, and undeniable charm - long after you’ve left.

Because once you’ve been to Boston, you never really leave.

Take Home a Piece of Boston’s Language

Visit L’Angolino Gift Shop in the heart of the North End for gifts that speak Boston — literally.

Find wicked funny T-shirts, Saucy sweatshirts, and locally inspired souvenirs you won’t see anywhere else.

Shop small, shop local, and stay wicked.