Learn the Lingo

Juneau Lingo
When we say "the dogs are running" in Juneau, we're not talking about the Iditarod. We're not even talking about dogs. Running means spawning, and these dogs are dog salmon.

If you're in town for more than an hour, you'll hear expressions that may seem even weirder than that.

If you want to follow directions, or even follow a conversation, here's a guide to some of the common colloquialisms that will help you pass for a local.

Alaskan: Simultaneously a person, place and thing, depending on the context. This is a bar and hotel in downtown Juneau, a malt beverage brewed by the Alaskan brewery here, and a state resident. You could have an Alaskan with an Alaskan at the Alaskan.

America: Canadians are Americans, too, eh? We say America, but we mean United States. American money spends okay in Juneau, British Columbia and the Yukon Territory.

The Bridge: There are lots of bridges, but "The Bridge" is the one downtown that crosses the channel to Douglas. Technically, it's called the Douglas Bridge, oddly enough.

The Channel: Not a television network, but Gastineau Channel, that body of water between Juneau and Douglas. Doubles as a floatplane runway and cruise ship parking lot in summer.
Douglas: A place, not a person. Refers to both the town and the island across the channel from downtown. When people say North Douglas, they mean west Douglas, where the North Douglas Highway goes.

Dollies: Dolly Varden trout, otherwise an old term for a hand truck.

The Empire: The daily newspaper in Juneau. Not like in "Star Wars."

XtraTufs: Knee-high slip-on rubber boots. XtraTufs is a brand name, but this is a generic term for all Juneau Sneakers. They go with everything.

The Harbor: There are six boat harbors, but generally this refers to either of the two downtown, Harris or Aurora, just north of the bridge. If someone lives in the harbor, that means they sleep on a boat.

Lemon Creek: That big valley between downtown and the airport. Also refers to a local glacier and stream. If someone lives in Lemon Creek, they mean the mobile home park or the neighborhood. If someone just got out of Lemon Creek, they mean the state prison.

Sucker hole: A tiny spot of blue in an otherwise completely overcast sky. It's a sucker hole because the sight often inspires a hopeless optimist to say: "Look - it's clearing up."

McNugget: The intersection on Egan drive about seven miles from town where "The Valley" starts. Nugget Mall and McDonalds sit on the corners, about one mile from the airport.

Natives: Not a glib term for locals, but a specific reference to Alaska Native people. Don't ask, "Where are the Indians?" They're everywhere. They live here.

The Road: There are lots of roads, but The Road is the long one that runs north and south. Called Egan Drive between downtown and the valley; north of there it's called either the Veterans Memorial Highway or Glacier Highway. Nobody is sure which, so we call it The Road. Past Auke Bay, people call it Out The Road, as in "The sun shines more Out The Road." It dead-ends halfway to Haines about 40 miles north of downtown.