1. Wildcats
What it means everywhere else: A small wild animal that looks like a cat but would maybe bite your face off if you got too close.
What it means in Tucson: The best basketball team that has ever graced a court.
2. Dry Heat
What it means everywhere else: A hot day with very little humidity.
What it means in Tucson: The words you repeat to yourself over and over like a mantra to keep yourself from losing your sanity in the summer.
3. Snowbirds
What it means everywhere else: Maybe birds that thrive, in the winter or snow.
What it means in Tucson: Older Midwesterners who seek refuge in Tucson’s balmier climate in the winter and have apparently never passed a driving test in their lives.
4. Leather Interior
What it means everywhere else: The nice feature of having leather seats for your car.
What it means in Tucson: A thing only absolute fools have in their car.
5. Bear
What it means everywhere else: A wild mammal.
What it means in Tucson: Down!
6. Oven Mitts
What it means everywhere else: The mittens you wear to pull a hot dish out of the oven.
What it means in Tucson: The mittens you wear to be able touch you car steering wheel.
7. Formal Wear
What it means everywhere else: A suit and tie or a fancy dress.
What it means in Tucson: Flip-flops and shorts, and if you want to get really fancy, maybe a shirt with buttons (but no sleeves, of course).
8. Shade
What it means everywhere else: A spot where you’re shielded from the sun by a tree or a building.
What it means in Tucson: The only spot you will ever park your car, even if that means walking an extra block… or eight.
9. Icee
What it means everywhere else: A beverage made from crushed ice and sugary flavorings.
What it means in Tucson: Don’t you mean that beautiful heaven in a cup from Eegee’s?
10. Roadrunner
What it means everywhere else: A blue cartoon bird that can outsmart cartoon coyotes.
What it means in Tucson: A tiny desert bird that you see running by you all the time because they’re basically the pigeons of Tucson.
11. Hot Dog
What it means everywhere else: A lower quality pork sausage on a bun with ketchup (unless you’re in Chicago) and mustard.
What it means in Tucson: A delicious pork sausage wrapped in bacon and topped with all the fixings—onions, tomato, mayo, cream sauce, mustard, salsa, and beans— and served on bread for a tasty Sonoran-style dog.
12. Seasons
What it means everywhere else: The four times of the year that are categorized by different weather. Winter, spring, summer, and fall.
What it means in Tucson: The five times of the year that are categorized by different weather. Winter, spring, summer, monsoon, and fall.
13. Mountain Climbing
What it means everywhere else: A strenuous physical activity that causes you to work up a sweat.
What it means in Tucson: What you do when you want to cool off a little in the summer.
14. Lawn Care
What it means everywhere else: Mowing your lawn or putting fertilizer in dry patches.
What it means in Tucson: Throwing a little more gravel on patches that have been kicked up.
15. Cactus
What it means everywhere else: A succulent plant that retains water and has sharp spines.
What it means in Tucson: The plant you can’t throw a rock without hitting.
16. Winter
What it means everywhere else: The coldest season of the year when you drink hot chocolate and bundle up before going outside.
What it means in Tucson: The season of sweater weather and snowbirds.
17. Wash
What it means everywhere else: To clean something with soap and water.
What it means in Tucson: A dry creek that usually only fills up during monsoon season.
18. Coat
What it means everywhere else: A warm winter garment that you wear over your clothes.
What it means in Tucson: That thing you have in a box in the basement that may or may not fit since you last pulled it out at age twelve.
19. Potholes
What it means everywhere else: Small holes in a paved road where the pavement has been damaged.
What it means in Tucson: A black hole in the middle of the road that will suck your tire and maybe your entire car in if you’re not careful.
20. Pigs
What it means everywhere else: Harmless, gentle farm animals.
What it means in Tucson: Animals that you often have vivid nightmares about.
21. Water
What it means everywhere else: A liquid everyone needs to drink in order to survive.
What it means in Tucson: A liquid you would absolutely never leave your home without unless you really wanted a heat stroke that day.
22. Lucky Wishbone
What it means everywhere else: The bird bone you break in half at Thanksgiving that grants luck to the person with the longer piece.
What it means in Tucson: A local fast food restaurant that serves every kind of delicious fried goodness you could dream of.
23. Sunscreen
What it means everywhere else: A sun protectant lotion that you apply in the summer.
What it means in Tucson: A sun protectant lotion that you buy in bulk and apply every day of your life.
24. Spicy
What it means everywhere else: Food that is seasoned with chili peppers and has a little extra kick.
What it means in Tucson: Food that sets your mouth on fire and makes you cry a little… in a good way.
25. Rattlesnake
What it means everywhere else: A venomous deadly snake that you hope you never run into.
What it means in Tucson: A venomous deadly snake that you’ve almost stepped on in your garage or backyard more than once.
26. Peter Piper
What it means everywhere else: A boy who picked a peck of pickled peppers.
What it means in Tucson: A local pizza chain where you had a bunch of awesome childhood birthday parties.
27. Burrito
What it means everywhere else: A Mexican dish that consists of a tortilla and filling—usually including beans, salsa, and shredded beef.
What it means in Tucson: The food you basically live on that every restaurant in the city sells.
28. Goat Head
What it means everywhere else: The head of a goat.
What it means in Tucson: The worst thing you’ve ever stepped on in your entire life. Seriously. A nail would’ve been better.
29. Daylight Savings
What it means everywhere else: When you turn your clock forward an hour in the summer so you have longer daylight hours.
What it means in Tucson: That just sounds ridiculous. Who would want more sun than there already is in the summer?
30. Air Conditioner
What it means everywhere else: A unit you put in your window to pump in cool air.
What it means in Tucson: A totally ineffective version of a swamp cooler.
What other words mean something completely different in Tucson? Tell us in the comments below! 
