For those of us who grew up in NoVa, D.C., or Maryland just outside of D.C., we commonly refer to our area of residence as "The DMV"—and no, we are not referring to the Department of Motor Vehicles.
"Ain't ya from the DMV?"
Let me break it down for you:
Distrcit of Columbia
Maryland
Virginia
Here's a list of things you are likely to learn if you hail from the DMV.
1. You know how to talk to anybody.
And by anybody, I don't just mean your friends at your frat party. If you're from the DMV, your school likely consisted of every race and background, and if you were white, you were the minority. From the days of preschool to senior year, your group of friends was as different as it could get. Not only are you comfortable talking to people different than you, you are interested and intrigued by who they are personally.
2. You know how to skip a class (and not get caught).
Third period hunger pangs? Not feeling it today? You round up the homies and make your escape plan to Taco Bell. You've got your plan down to the time you meet in the parking lot, the door you are leaving out of, who's driving, and your cover story upon confrontation.
3. You know how to have a good time.
The space between the morning announcements, classes, lunch, and any free time were all opportunities to get a beat going. You would listen to music, learn the latest move, and entertain one another. It's likely that this has carried over into your college life. You are more than OK being the life of the party.
4. You know how to work hard.
You knew that if you were ever going to leave the DMV (even though you love it), you were going to have to work your butt off to make it in the real world. So you poured everything you had into that ratchet Chemistry class.
5. You know how to dance.
It was inevitable in your 18+ years in the DMV that your homecoming consisted of straight go-go music. If you didn't know how to dance to it, you better learn.
6. You don't care about what people think about you.
Sooner or later, you came across some people who didn't like you. It happens when your school has 3,000 people. Eventually you learn that the "haters" are not worth your time and you continue to "do you, boo."
7. Your vocabulary is nontraditional.
Each school had its own particular subset of words. If you used any of these back in 2010, you're probably from the DMV.
"She the bait."
"She the baddest joint."
"He tryna go smack."
"Sice my life."
"I'm siced."
"I'm blown right now."
"I'm about to go ham."
"I'm about to kirk."
"I'm geekin'."
"They got me guhhh."
"They some bammas."
"They lunchin'."
"They jonin'."
"You doin' too much."
"You live in the cut, fool."
"You get that at Rainbow?"
"Stop loafin'."
"Stop rappin'."
"LLS."
"Let me tweet from your page."
"'Sup slim?"
"What's gucci?"
"It's hot as a mug?"
"Sike naw."
"Do your gogo pose."
"That's O.C."
"Kill moeeeee."
8. You know you were hip first.
Before the crazy dances and new slang hit the rest of the country, it hit your school first. You were saying "ratchet" and knowing what "twerking" was (we called it clapping back then) back in 2009.
9. You know the metro.
You knew if you wanted to get somewhere fast with less traffic, the metro was your best bet. It was the gateway to that interview, the fam, or a hella fun night out. You could ride it with your eyes closed (chances are, you already have).
10. You are proud.
Even though it might not be the prettiest area at times, you are proud of where you come from. This placed raised you, taught you many necessary skills for life, and is home to some of the truest friends you'll ever know. No matter how far you go or how long you're gone, the DMV will always be your hometown.
"...But much love to VA and MD, that's why the new DC is the DMV." – Mambo Sauce
