Words You Will Totally Understand If You Are From South Dakota

When you want a carbonated beverage in South Dakota, if you ask for a "coke" - you will get a Coca-Cola. When you ask for a "soda" - you will probably get a strange look. But if you ask for a POP - there will be no strange looks and you will get the option to choose your flavor of choice. (Which could be a Coke, Pepsi, Sprite, Orange or Mountain Dew!)

There has long been a debate on if it's called a Hot Dish or Casserole. But South Dakotans know that a Hot Dish is the perfect chance for you to combine several savory ingredients into one easy meal. And that meal could be for lunch, supper or as your "dish to pass" at the pot luck.

It doesn't matter if you are helping someone by giving them directions off of a gravel road or swapping recipes for hot dishes, a resident of South Dakota knows the true meaning to the word NICE.

Grabbing a sweater or light jacket as you stroll down the beach on a cool night in January isn't COLD. Residents of South Dakota know the true meaning to the word cold, and it usually involves snow, temperatures below zero and wind (lots and lots of wind!)

This is only the most fun you can have with bean bags - EVER! South Dakotans can be found playing this backyard game in the spring, summer and fall. (And YES - I've even been to a party - during the winter - where Corn Hole has been set up in the garage!)

This sweet South Dakota treat does not get poured from a bag or plunked out of a can for your best friend, Fido. This favorite snack made from cereal, peanut butter, chocolate and powdered sugar is not only a must-have during a South Dakota holiday party, but all year long.

Speaking of sweet treats, Scotcheroos are peanut butter, rice-krispie treats with a layer of chocolate chip frosting - and are considered to be just a little bit of heaven! Scotcheroos can be found at any South Dakota bake sale or on a high-school event concession stand. I guarantee you can find the recipe for these in any South Dakota church cookbook.

Okay, I know this is more of a phrase. But as soon as that first week of July rolls around, everybody from South Dakota (me included!) will be uttering this phrase as they drive by the growing corn fields.

Called a canopy or a shell in other areas of the United States, people in South Dakota know that this invention that covers your stuff in the back of your pick-up truck or hides an air mattress for camping is called a topper.

Again, another phrase. But this phrase is so much more than just two small words. In South Dakota, the phrase "you guys" includes your grandparents, your parents, siblings, neighbors, friends, co-workers and even your pets and livestock.