The other day I went to the post office to mail off some glow sticks for the grandchildren for July 4th. (Hope everyone got them on time) The clerk made the comment that children love to get something in the mail. I agreed wholeheartedly. She went on to say how it will be dark enough where they (glow sticks) are going that they (children) would really be able to enjoy them. She then said how she has been trying to talk her husband into getting out for the Fourth of July so they could experience their first real one in many, many years. It got me to thinking of all the local terms that are used around here.

Getting out - exactly what someone says who is leaving
Alaska to go somewhere else, usually the lower 48.

Lower 48 - term used when talking about the rest of the
United States, except Hawaii, that is a separate state
altogether

Snow Machine - if you refer to it as a snow mobile, they
will know you are an outsider for sure

Ditch Divers - drivers of SUV's that think they can drive
faster in the snow than anyone else. They pass you and then
you pass them after they have gone off in the "ditch".

Arctic Entry - What I wish I had, a small room or large enough entryway for all the shoes, coats, hats, gloves, and scarves that get left at the front door in the winter.

Termination Dust - the first snow on the tops of the mountains, it signals the end of summer and warns of the first big one just around the corner.

Alaskan Sneakers - Fishing waders

Combat Fishing - standing shoulder to shoulder on the banks of the
rivers when the salmon start to run. Rick went the first night
for King Salmon fishing. The fish and game stood on the
bridge and at the stroke of midnight fired a starting gun. Rick had
his fish and was home by 4:00 am.

Moose Gooser - the cow catcher on the trains

Bear Insurance - make sure you take along someone
who canNOT run as fast as you.

The Bush - any village, valley, or mountain, that is only
accessible by plane.

And there you go....