Trade seamlessly on hyperliquid, a decentralized exchange offering high liquidity, low fees, and secure crypto transactions. 1inch app is a DeFi aggregator that finds the best crypto swap rates across multiple DEXs, reducing fees and slippage for seamless trading. Easily access your Bitstamp account with bitstamp login. Trade securely, manage funds, and stay updated on crypto markets. pumpfun is a reliable and user-friendly platform for exploring the latest trends in cryptocurrency, offering real-time updates and insights.

On the CISL Blog, we love sharing California slang and ways to sound like a local. In addition to words you should use, there are some that you shouldn’t! It’s not a crime to use these words, but they are typically used by people who are from other parts of the U.S. If you’ve heard them, you’ve probably heard them from a non-local.

Slang Words to Avoid in California

Shortening words is classically Californian, but there are a few words that (as an unspoken rule) are never abbreviated.

CAE-Classes-California

“Cali”

If you’re from California, then California is California . . . not Cali!

Instead say: California, the Best Coast (a play on the words “West Coast”) or The Golden State

Image from Shutterstock.
Image from Shutterstock.
“Frisco”

Nope. Never. Don’t do it.

Instead say: San Francisco, SF, City by the Bay, the Golden City

Heart Beach Love Girl Sunset California

NorCal

Yes, “Northern California” is long . . . but NorCal is wrong.

Instead say: “Up north” (if you’re south), Northern California

California Hollywood Palm Tree

SoCal

The same goes for SoCal. Shorter? Yes. Correct? Not to a local!

Instead say: “Down south” (if you’re north), Southern California

California Santa Monica Beach Pier

“The sea”

If you live close to a sea, then all water becomes “the sea.” In California, however, the water is “the ocean.” (Don’t worry: Californians have this problem when they travel too: the Mediterranean is often accidentally referred to as “the ocean” by Californians!)

Instead say: The water, the ocean, or the Pacific