Plus, Bruce Springsteen is coming to Gillette Stadium.
6AM City In-house

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A wicked awesome lesson on the Boston accent
The Old State House in downtown Boston.
The Boston accent has changed over the years like our city’s skyline. | Photo by @ariannastewart
Whether you think it’s the “smartest sounding” accent or the most annoying accent — there is no denying the Boston accent gets people talking.

School is in session: let’s break down what you’re hearing and go over some basic lingo.

Did you know the accent is due to non-rhotic pronunciation? This is a dialect of English in which the letter “R” isn’t pronounced. The pronunciation style is unique to the New England area, New York, and Britain.

The omission of the letter “R” dates back ~400 years, when the first Boston settlers came from Europe. Although they weren’t asking where to pahk the cah, Bostonians of the time influenced the vocabulary, where words with the letter “R” were less common.

Speaking of words — here are a few you’ll hear around our city.

Wicked (adj.) — Substitute for very or really. While the exact origin is unclear, there are two popular theories. The first is connected to the Salem Witch Trials. The second is connected to the former Mayor James Michael Curley and a campaign for the House of Representatives, during which he was having an affair with actress Margaret Hamilton, who played the Wicked Witch of the West in “The Wizard of Oz.”

Bubbler (n.) — A drinking water fountain. This word + hardware originated from Wisconsin and is pronounced “bubblah” around here.

Rotary (n.) — A larger traffic circle, designed to slow vehicle speeds around a central island. New Englanders typically use this term, while residents in other states refer to the intersections as “roundabouts.”

Packie (n.) — A New England liquor store. If your friend is making a run to the packie, they are visiting the local “package store.”

Pissah (adj.) — Slang term for something that is awesome or really great. This slang word can be paired with wicked to emphasize the greatness.

What other words are unique to Boston’s vocabulary?

Tell us if we missed your favorite New England saying and we can keep the conversation going.
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Wednesday, Feb. 15
  • Public Art Project: Artist Talk | Wednesday, Feb. 15 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Adams Street Branch, Boston Public Library, 690 Adams St., Boston | Free | Join local artist Priscila de Carvalho to learn more about her city-commissioned public art project at the BPL’s Adams Street Branch.
  • Boston Sci-fi Film Festival | Wednesday, Feb. 15-Monday, Feb. 20 | Times vary | The Somerville Theatre, 55 Davis Sq., Somerville | $15-$195 | The five-day film festival includes features, short films, and panels.
  • Galentine’s Day Women’s Networking Night | Wednesday, Feb. 15 | 6-8 p.m. | Aloft Seaport, 403 D St., Boston | $24-$29 | Join the Boston Young Professionals Association to meet like-minded, business-oriented women and indulge on sweets + specialty cocktails.
  • Boston Celtics vs. Detroit Pistons | Wednesday, Feb. 15 | 7:30 p.m. | TD Garden, 100 Legends Way, Boston | $62-$1,554 | Spend Wednesday night at the Garden with the Celtics.
Thursday, Feb. 16
  • WINE SCHOOL | Thursday, Feb. 16 | 6-7 p.m. | Wild Child, 1 Bow Mkt Way, Somerville | $30 | Sip three wine samples from the Loire Valley and learn more about the history of the area’s significance on the French wine scene.
Saturday, Feb. 18
  • Mass Avenue Mardi Gras | Saturday, Feb. 18 | 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m. | Dorchester Brewing Company, 1250 Massachusetts Ave., Boston | Free to attend | Grab your masquerade mask for the all-day parade and party in Dorchester, complete with Top Shelf Cookies, limited edition glassware, and live jazz.
  • Fight The Power: 70s-themed Skate Party | Saturday, Feb. 18 | 12-3 p.m. | Chez Vous Roller Skating Rink, 11 Rhoades St., Mattapan | Free | This groovy skate party is first come, first served for skate rentals and pizza.
Sunday, Feb. 19
  • Vintage & Vinyl | Sunday, Feb. 19 | 1-5 p.m. | Samuel Adams Boston Brewery, 30 Germania St., Boston | Free to attend | Grab a pint and score some vintage treasures from this month’s vendors, including Fresh Vintage Supply, Diversity Consignment, Handsome Hobo Neckwear, and That’s the Tea Boutique.
Monday, Feb. 20
  • February Vacation Week at Boston Children’s Museum | Monday, Feb. 20-Sunday, Feb. 26 | 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. | Boston Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St., Boston | $20 | Kick February Vacation Week off to a playful start with a full week of activities at Boston Children’s Museum, including sock skating, creative STEAM and Art Lab projects + more.*

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
100+ MORE EVENTS
6AM City In-house

Events

4 rock ‘n’ roll icons are coming to The Music Hall
Presented by a BOStoday Partner
The Music Hall Feb 2023 Article .jpg
Nat Zegree in Ogunquit Playhouse’s 2016 production of Million Dollar Quartet. | Photo Credit: Gary Ng
Music critics call it the greatest jam session of all time. On Dec. 4, 1956, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins gathered at Sun Records in Memphis to do what they did best: make magic.

The Music Hall’s upcoming musical production with Ogunquit Playhouse, “Million Dollar Quartet,” brings that legendary night in music history to life with live renditions of rock ‘n’ roll hits (think: “Walk the Line,” “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On,” “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Hound Dog,” and more). Transport yourself back to the 1950s with stunning costumes, an extraordinary set, and — of course — toe-tapping, hip-shaking tunes. (Bonus points if you wear your blue suede shoes.)

Previews and opening night (read: the best prices) are happening Wednesday, March 22- Friday, March 24, and the show will run every Wednesday-Sunday through April 9.

Pro tip: Since The Music Hall is in Portsmouth, NH (~2 hours’ drive), why not make a weekend out of it? That would rock so hard. 🎸 *
ONE FOR THE MONEY, TWO FOR THE SHOW

Weather
  • 56º | Partly cloudy | 10% chance of rain
Coming Soon
  • Take a bite out of this news — a new sandwich shop is opening next month in the former Anthony’s Cafe space at 252 Commercial St. The eatery, called Sunny Girl, will serve a variety of creative sandwiches, house-made English muffins, and local coffee. 🍽️ (Boston Magazine)
Announced
  • Comedy icons Tina Fey and Amy Poehler are hitting the stage for their first live tour together. The pair will bring the “Restless Leg Tour” to Boston at MGM Music Hall on Friday, June 9. Tickets will go on sale Friday, Feb. 17 at 10 a.m. 🎤
Civic
  • Interested in contributing to the city’s affordable housing projects, historic preservation initiatives, and outdoor recreation facilities? Then you should submit an application to join the City Council’s Community Preservation Committee. The deadline to apply is Friday, March 17.
Concert
  • Springsteen fans rejoice — the “Born in the USA” artist is coming to Gillette Stadium on Aug. 24. Register as a verified fan on Ticketmaster before Sunday, Feb. 19 at 12 p.m. to see Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band this summer.
Development
  • Harvard Medical School received a $75 million donation to redesign what will be known as the Bertarelli Building in the Longwood Medical Area. The donation will fund the addition of a sky-lit atrium, which is expected to be completed by 2025. (Boston Business Journal)
Featured
  • The upcoming luxury Stuart Street property called Raffles Boston Back Bay and Residences has been featured in Forbes Travel Guide as one of the 35 most anticipated hotel openings of the year. The $400+ million property will feature a three-story lobby, rooftop terrace, and five restaurants and bars.
Stat
  • 4.7% — the average Boston rent increase in January. This increase brings the median rent to $3,707. Learn more about the cost of living in Beantown. 🏠 (Redfin)
Shop
Number
  • 55°. That’s the optimal temperature for storing wine. So unless you enjoy keeping your humble abode chilled year round, we recommend buying a wine fridge to foster favorable conditions for long-term aging. Our pick: this sleek wine fridge with touch-panel control and capacity for 24 bottles. Cheers. 🍷 *
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Today our parent company, 6AM City, is celebrating a birthday! To celebrate, we want you to be a part of our newsletter membership program.

The BOStoday membership program will be rolling out member shoutouts in our newsletters, and members will have the opportunity to submit shoutouts such as celebrations, births, engagements, anniversaries, and more. 🎉

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THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Jessica.

Editor’s pick: Thank you, Boston. We’re celebrating a milestone on Instagram — BOStoday has reached 10,000 followers. 🎉

If you haven’t followed our account yet, hit that blue button to stay up to date on the latest local news + events. If you’re already following along (you’re the real MVP), help us reach our next 10,000 and share our page with three friends so they can be an informed Bostonian too.

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Editorial: Jessica Burton, Sara Frazier, Josh Kranzberg, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

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