Here are 10 hilarious sayings or expressions you’ll only hear in Kansas that capture the local flavor and humor:
- “Caddy corner” — Opposite corner. “Her house is caddy corner to the Quiktrip.”
- “Burnt ends” — The best part of BBQ, not leftovers.
- “EMAW” — Stands for “every man a wildcat,” a Kansas State fan battle cry.
- “The concrete” — Frozen custard, especially from Freddy’s.
- “Rock chalk” — A chant for Kansas University fans, followed by “Jayhawk!”
- “Yums” — Refers to delicious snacks or meals like biscuits.
- “Sun shower” — When it rains but the sun is still shining, common in Kansas.
- “I am needing…” — A classic Kansas-ism instead of “I need…,” like “I am needing you to sign this.”
- “Boughten” — Used by older folks in Western Kansas for store-bought vs. homemade.
- “Ope” — A quick, surprised utterance when bumping into someone or making a small mistake.
These sayings showcase Kansas’ unique blend of Midwestern charm, local pride, and humor that give the state its special linguistic character.
SOURCES
[1](https://www.washburn.edu/reference/cks/ksquotes.html)
[2](https://www.enjoytravel.com/us/travel-news/guides/kansas-slang)
[3](https://www.reddit.com/r/kansas/comments/10jkgn5/what_are_some_kansas_slangphrases_commonly_used/)
[4](https://wheninyourstate.com/kansas/12-phrases-youll-only-understand-if-you-live-in-kansas/)
[5](https://matadornetwork.com/read/12-expressions-learn-coming-kansas/)
