1. Fog
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What it means everywhere else: Condensed precipitation that may impede visibility.
What it means in San Francisco: A loving blanket that envelops the city literally 30 weeks out of the year.
2. Rent
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What it means everywhere else: A portion of your paycheck paid to a landlord for a place of residence.
What it means in San Francisco: Unless you’re in tech, slightly more than your monthly income.
3. Hot Dog
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What it means everywhere else: A grilled or boiled frank that is placed in a bun and covered in toppings.
What it means in San Francisco: A bacon-wrapped, street-cooked thing of wonder that sounds fantastic after a few beers but you will certainly regret the next day.
4. Summer
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What it means everywhere else: A time of the year characterized by warmth and plenty of sunlight.
What it means in San Francisco: A climate similar to Antarctica.
5. Hoodie
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What it means everywhere else: An informal, though warm, hooded sweat shirt.
What it means in San Francisco: An article of clothing you should always have in your bag because it will save your life once the sun goes down. Alternatively, a standard workplace uniform.
6. Municipal Transit
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What it means everywhere else: Publicly funded transportation that can be used to get from one part of the city to another for a small fee.
What it means in San Francisco: Hell, once it arrives 30 minutes late. (Muni, for short).
7. Park
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What it means everywhere else: A public space with plenty of trees and grass to visit — often with animals.
What it means in San Francisco: A heavenly weekend destination that’s best accompanied with a case of PBR and some ice cream from Bi-Rite.
8. App
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What it means everywhere else: A phone application useful in a specific circumstance.
What it means in San Francisco: Something responsible for the livelihood of yourself or at least one person you know.
9. Tech
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What it means everywhere else: Technology.
What it means in San Francisco: Something you will never escape.
10. Downtown
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What it means everywhere else: A traffic-infested region that is the center of the city’s operations.
What it means in San Francisco: The finance district.
11. Coffee
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What it means everywhere else: A caffeinated beverage often used as a pick-me-up in the morning.
What it means in San Francisco: A wonderful-tasting piece of art that will cost you anywhere from $4 to $10.
12. Startup
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What it means everywhere else: A newly created company, often backed by venture capital.
What it means in San Francisco: An idea someone had over a beer.
13. Cab
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What it means everywhere else: Cars that can be hailed that will drive from one place to another for a fee.
What it means in San Francisco: A mythical carriage that disappears the moment it’s needed.
14. Uber
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What it means everywhere else: A smartphone app for hailing a private car service.
What it means in San Francisco: Cab.
15. Surge
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What it means everywhere else: A large increase of something in a short period of time.
What it means in San Francisco: A multiplier typically applied to your Uber bill when you need it most. The rest of your paycheck, after rent.
16. Beach
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What it means everywhere else: A point where the ocean meets the land, characterized often by sand and lots of sunlight.
What it means in San Francisco: A wind-swept wasteland.
17. Los Angeles
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What it means everywhere else: “The City of Angels,” a metropolitan area well-known for warmth, beaches, and hosting much of the entertainment industry.
What it means in San Francisco: BOO WORST CITY EVER.
18. Burrito
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What it means everywhere else: A tortilla stuffed with rice, beans, and typically vegetables and some kind of meat.
What it means in San Francisco: The single greatest meal you will ever have, stuffed with every delicious flavor imaginable.
19. Giants
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What it means everywhere else: Large, humanoid creatures.
What it means in San Francisco: Defenders of the freedom of San Francisco from the tyranny of southern California.
20. Cali
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What it means everywhere else: Shorthand for “California.”
What it means in San Francisco: The fastest way to spot a non-Californian.
21. Sharks
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What it means everywhere else: A majestic and dangerous creature found in some ocean waters around the world.
What it means in San Francisco: A majestic and dangerous creature found in the ocean water that is right next door.
22. View
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What it means everywhere else: A particularly nice landscape that’s enjoyable to see.
What it means in San Francisco: A highly elevated spot to check out the most gorgeous city on the planet.
23. Frisco/San Fran
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What it means everywhere else: Short for “San Francisco.”
What it means in San Francisco: NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE.