Michi-argot

I always thought Michiganders who weren’t Yoopers spoke in pretty much the same made-for-TV flatness of Nebraskans (the ideal TV accent to have, I read once). But all these things listed in The Michigan Accent ring true. I would add two words. If you’re going to put in the Big Beev, anyone who knows Port Huron will tell you have to add Gratiot, as in old Fort Gratiot, pronounced as if the grass were fertilizing itself. I also happened to live ‘Outstate,’ meaning all of Michigan outside the loose semi-circle from Port Huron to Ann Arbor to Midland (or so).