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Photograph: Courtesy CC/Flickr/Sebastien Wiertz

20 words, terms and phrases that LA locals need

Written by
Justin Sedgwick
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Los Angeles may be the creative capital of the country, but residents could still use some new terms and phrases to describe the unique problems, situations and experiences that only happen in the City of Angels.

1. Honda burger: When there are no available tables at In-N-Out and you have to eat your Double-Double in your car. 

2. Bike-screwed: When you finally think you found a parking spot but then see a motorcycle hiding behind the large SUV next to it.

3. Frettying: When you're hurrying to the Getty early on a Saturday morning to beat the tourists.

4. Fairfax dollar: When you’re trying to spend $1 or less to get your parking validated at the Original Farmers Market.

5. Stacked talk: The 5-10 minute polite conversation you have with your parking neighbor when you’re both stuck waiting for the car in front of you to leave at the Hollywood Bowl.

6. Echo Parking: The reason why you’re 30 minutes late to meet up with friends at the Echo: you’re still looking for a spot for your car.

7. Bungahigh: The elated feeling you get when you only have to wait 15 minutes to get into the Bungalow in Santa Monica.

8. Fast pass supreme: When you invite your friend who recently broke their arm or leg to Disneyland so you can get on all the rides more quickly.

9. Line bro: The new friendship you make with a person waiting in line at [insert any popular LA club or restaurant here].

10. Memory barred: When you literally knew the password for R Bar just a second ago but you forgot right when the bouncer asked.

11. Walk of Lame: When you have friends or family visiting town and they turn down your cool activity suggestions to see the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

12. GPScrewed: When your phone dies before you can see where you dropped your Google Maps pin in the parking lot at Dodger Stadium.

13. The Big Chill: When you’re wishing you brought your jacket to an outdoor movie screening even though you thought it’d be hot outside. 

14. Runyon Catwalk: That envious feeling you get when everyone at Runyon Canyon’s workout clothes are nicer than your regular clothes.

15. FUBER: Similar to the military term "F.U.B.A.R.," this happens when your Uber or Lyft driver hops on the highway even though the service streets would have been quicker.

16. Nit-picnicking: When all of your section mates at the Hollywood Bowl brought in fancy wines and charcuterie plates and now they're judging you for only having a 6-inch Subway sandwich and a 24-ounce Bud Light.

17. Sand-xiety: When you find that perfect parking spot at the beach on a Sunday morning but it feels "too perfect" and you spend the rest of your day feeling anxious and paranoid that your car will have been ticketed or towed by the time you get back.

18. Neighborhard: The frustration you experience when you try to describe your neighborhood to someone who has never heard of it.

19. Convopetitive: That Déjà vu feeling you get when meeting new people and having the same convo about Los Angeles over and over (“Yeah it took me a while to get used to but I really like it!” “Yeah it’s not really what you think of as a 'city.'’” “Yeah, the layout is definitely strange but there’s always something new to explore and do!” “I think I need to give it a solid two years here before I really decide what I think about LA.”)

20. 'Hoodwinked: When you live on the border of two neighborhoods and can't decide which one you want to be associate with more.

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Follow Justin on Twitter at @JSedg or Instagram at @jsedg11.

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