Talk the Talk: A Modern Portlander’s Lingo Guidebook

The PNW art class has come up with a list of Portland-related slang and vocabulary based on Chuck Palahniuk’s now-20-year-old Talk the Talk: a Portland Vocabulary List. They found that most of the words on his list were outdated, and decided to make a new one with more modern terms. The students came up with this list by asking around campus and thinking about the words used everyday in Portland that might catch tourists off-guard. This list includes nicknames, businesses, sayings and more.

• Big Pink: The U.S. Bancorp Tower, which is the second tallest skyscraper in Portland. Locals call it “Big Pink,” because of its pink color and large size that makes it stand out on the Portland skyline.
• The Bins: The Goodwill Outlets, also known as The Bins, are where everything that does not or cannot be sold at Goodwill goes. Items are sold by the pound at extremely low prices. Going there requires a game plan and good gloves. There is usually an overwhelming amount of people, all trying to get the best deals, so it can become pretty competitive. The Bins are in three locations across Portland, one near the airport, one out near Milwaukie and the other in Hillsboro.
• The Coast: A term many Portlanders use to refer to the Pacific Coast’s beaches. While many may simply say they are going to the beach, Portlanders instead tend to say they are going to the coast. 
• Freddies: Kroger-owned Fred Meyer is the go-to place for a Portlander looking for some high quality groceries at an affordable price. Freddies first popped up in 1922, with the appeal of the best shopping in Portland.
• The Gorge: Just 30 miles east of Portland is the Columbia River Gorge, a beautiful canyon created by the Columbia River. It is home to old growth forests, waterfalls and incredible hikes. 
• Little Fishing Village: A nickname for the city of Seattle, very popular with local soccer fans who refer to the Seattle team “The Sounders” as “The Flounders.” This is also in reference to the popular fish markets in Seattle such as Pike Place Market.
• The MAX: Portland’s light rail system connects the metro area to downtown with 60 miles of tracks. There are five lines, each going to different locations. The MAX runs every 15 minutes, everyday for most of the day. It is an efficient and fairly affordable method of public transportation.
• McMenamins: A brewery chain with locations scattered around Portland, through Oregon and Washington. Started in 1985 by a pair of local brothers, McMenamins has now expanded into pubs, restaurants, hotels, movie theaters and music venues. Many of its buildings are refurbished historical locations such as schools, hotels and churches. Popular locations include the Kennedy Elementary School and  a former 74 acre farm called the Edgefield Hotel. 
• “The Mountain’s out”: Used to describe the visibility of a nearby mountain – usually a reference to Mt. Hood, Mt. Rainier or, on occasion, Mt. St. Helens. Coupled with this visibility tends to come sun, blue skies and happy Portlanders. 
• Naked Bike Ride: Portland’s Naked Bike Ride is one of the largest rides in the world. It originated as part of the protests against our dependency on oil, but has transformed into a festive event. As the name suggests, thousands of people ride through the streets of the city naked. The route is kept secret, so be careful walking around the streets of Portland in June or July. 
• Old Town: Old Town Chinatown is a neighborhood north of downtown, on Portland’s west side. It is home to many famous establishments such as Lan Su Chinese Garden, Mandarin House and Old Town Pizza & Brewing. Sadly, since the start of the pandemic, Old Town has become the epicenter of Portland’s houselessness and addiction crisis.
• OreGUNian – A common bumper sticker throughout the state, featuring the pun in blocky text above a silhouette of an AR-15. Also sported on hats, T-shirts and hoodies. You might spot a proud OreGUNian at a Trump rally or in a truck too big for the city. 
• The Rose Festival: Portland’s annual festival that consists of three parades and an amusement park located on the waterfront. Locals line the route hours before the start of each parade to reserve sidewalk spots and ensure views of the floral floats. 
• The Rose Garden: Portland’s International Rose Test Garden, located in Southwest Portland. The Rose Garden is a beautiful, walkable plot of land displaying more than 10,000 breathtaking roses. Rather than referring to it by its full name, locals have shortened it to the more manageable “Rose Garden.” Before it was bought out by an insurance company, The Moda Center, where the Portland Trailblazers play, was called the Rose Garden Arena. Some locals may still refer to the venue by “The Rose Garden.”
• The Schnitz: The Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall in downtown Portland. Over time, the name has been shortened to the first half of “Schnitzer,” and locals now recognize the two as the same.
• Stumptown: First opening in 1999, Stumptown Coffee Roasters is a staple to both locals and tourists. It provides excellent coffee at an affordable price compared to similar artisanal roasters ever populating the Portland area. Before the coffee, Stumptown became a nickname for Portland, referring to the heavy logging that left stumps in the ground. 
• 4T Trail: Portland’s famous ten mile trek across the city using train, trail, tram and trolley. It is a great way to appreciate the town’s public transportation and views. It consists of a MAX ride from downtown to the zoo, then a hike to Council Crest park, the highest point in Portland with stunning views spanning the city. From there, take a walk down to OHSU, where you can catch the sky tram and ride back down to the city.
• Unipiper: The stage name of performance artist Brian Kidd, who rose to fame in the 2010s for his act of unicycling while playing the (occasionally flaming) bagpipes. His classic look consists of a kilt and Darth Vader mask, but is occasionally switched out with various popular characters. 
• Voodoo: A Portland tourist staple, the Voodoo Doughnut Shop was brought to life in a hole-in-the-wall storefront, right between two old town nightclubs, after Portlanders Kenneth Pogson and Tres Shannon realized that downtown PDX had a need for the pastry. The average Voodoo customer is either an overenthusiastic tourist, or a local who loves to waste time standing in hour-long lines. Keep an eye out for their signature pink boxes and creatively-shaped donuts.