Florida has plenty of strange stories, though it turns out that the state’s jargon is equally weird — at least, according to one study by Preply.
The study examined slang from each state in the U.S. to determine which ones were best understood by Americans at large.
Florida ranked No. 14 on the list for the phrase “jiffy feet,” which means a person with dirty feet due to not wearing shoes. However, only around 40% of people knew what the term actually meant.
In fact, around 43% of respondents thought it meant having talented dance moves, the study states.
According to The Jaxson, the term originated due to a convenience store chain in Florida called Huntley’s Jiffy Food Stores — often shortened to “Jiffy” — which would sometimes be frequented by customers walking barefoot.
Meanwhile, the top 10 states with the most misunderstood phrases can be found below:
| Rank | State | Phrase | What most respondents thought it meant | What the phrase actually means | % of incorrect answers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Dakota | “Taverns” | Bar/Club | A Sloppy Joe sandwich | 88.18% |
| 2 | Maine | “Right Out Straight” | Telling the truth | Being very busy | 85.15% |
| 3 | Mississippi | “Carry” | To have a gun on your person | To drive someone | 75.67% |
| 4 | New York | “Grill” | To ask a lot of questions | Staring rudely | 74.51% |
| 5 | California | “Gnarly” | Slang for the word “cool” | Used to described large waves in the ocean | 73.64% |
| 6 | Kentucky | “Dirty Bird” | A derogatory insult | Slang for KFC | 71.78% |
| 7 | Hawaii | “Grinds” | Slang for someone who works hard every day | Food or a meal out | 70.01% |
| 8 | Montana | “Borrow Pit” | A donation box | A ditch alongside the ride | 69.15% |
| 9 | Missouri | “Put Out” | Vulgar way of saying you agree to something sensual | You are angry | 66.65% |
| 10 | Colorado | “Blucifer” | A blue devil | The blue mustang sculpture outside the Denver International Airport | 64.02% |
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: