Essential English phrases

Always with the 'The', and locals say it deliberately. The university trademarked the word in 2022. Calling it 'Ohio State U' or 'OSU' in front of an alumnus is a small but real error.

Shout it and a stranger will answer 'I-O!'. It works in airports, in other countries, and in the queue at a supermarket. Not responding is the only wrong move.

The state tree's nut — inedible — the university's mascot, and a peanut butter and chocolate sweet made to look like one. Someone calling themselves a Buckeye means the second sense.

The University of Michigan, whose name is avoided as a bit. The rivalry runs through November and shapes the mood of the city for a week either side of the game.

Ohio's official state rock song, played at every Ohio State game with a four-clap O-H-I-O between phrases. You will learn the claps whether or not you intend to.

A fizzy soft drink. Ordering 'a soda' marks you as from elsewhere within about four words.

Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams, founded here and now national. Locals are proprietorial about it. Ordering by the flavour name rather than pointing is the confident move.

Interstate 270, the ring road around Columbus. Everything is described as inside or outside it, and the suburbs are placed by which exit they hang off.

The Regional Income Tax Agency, which collects municipal income tax for many Ohio towns. Columbus collects its own, but if you live or work in a suburb you will meet RITA — and it will find you.

Ohio taxes municipal income where you work AND where you live, with a credit between them. Two cities, one paycheque. Almost nobody arriving here has met this arrangement before.

Columbus's long-standing role as the place national chains trial new products because its demographics track the country closely. If a restaurant has a menu item nowhere else does, this is why.

A vacuum cleaner. Ohio-wide, entirely unremarkable to locals, and a reliable giveaway that someone grew up here.

The gallery and restaurant district on High Street between downtown and the university — named for being the short stretch north of the city centre. The arches over High Street are its landmark.

Columbus's city services line and app — potholes, bulk trash, code complaints, streetlights. 911 stays for emergencies; 311 is the one you will actually use.