San Francisco is a diverse city home to folks from nearly every walk of life. Compared to other big cities, SF is relatively compact, taking up a mere 7 by 7-mile square of the coast. Perhaps that's why one of the things that all San Franciscans share in common is a collective lingo. When two of us are mid-conversation, an outsider could quickly get lost. Here are seven phrases most commonly heard and easily explained:
"Torture"
Elsewhere: A violent act in which physical pain is applied to retrieve information or punish
In SF: What the San Francisco Giants do to us every World Series-winning season (of which there have been three in six years)
"Burner"
Elsewhere: A device often found on a stove that produces fire or heat for cooking
In SF: Your Steampunk neighbor who spends one week a year on the Playa and 51 weeks a year talking about it
"The beach"
Elsewhere: a sunny, often tropical area in which a section of soft sand meets a large body of water
In SF: Ocean Beach, a foggy, often freezing area in which a section of trash-covered sand meets an ice cold, shark-filled ocean
"Cup of coffee"
Elsewhere: A cup of coffee
In SF: A complex art form that requires waiting in line for at least 35 minutes
"Out late"
Elsewhere: Staying away from home past midnight and into the wee hours of the morning
In SF: Getting home just after 10pm
"Rent"
Elsewhere: One fourth to one third of one's income paid to a landlord on a monthly basis
In SF: A wonderfully complex and topical '90s Broadway musical
"Annual salary"
Elsewhere: The entire amount earned by an individual over the course of a year to cover all expenses, including the building of a savings account and various investments
In SF: Money paid for shelter