Do You Have These California-isms?

By: Annette
Estimated Completion Time
3 min
Do You Have These California-isms?
Image: Shutterstock

About This Quiz

Even if you're not from California, you probably know a bit about the culture of the nation's third-largest state. But do you know enough to ace this California-isms quiz? There's only one way to find out. Let's get started.

With an economy larger than many countries, California is in a class of its own, with mannerisms that are unique to the people who live there. From a blase view of earthquakes (not if you've ever watched a doomsday movie on Netflix) to liberal politics, the citizens of California make their own rules and set their own pace. And, assuming that the entire west coast is not going to slide off into the Pacific Ocean any time soon, California and the people who live there are going to be minding their own unique business for a long time to come.

So, yeah, brush up on your California stereotypes (hey, they come from somewhere, right), and let's find out which ones are true and which ones aren't. And, if you're a California native, no offense, man, but those Beach Boys told the rest of us all we needed to know about you.

Do you think you know enough about California and its people to ace this quiz? Let's find out.

What do Californians think about the term "Cali"?
They use it all the time
They love it
They hate it
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

True Californians hate the word "Cali'." It's a horrible nickname for their state.

Californians think earthquakes are what?
Horrifying
Far worse than described
Over-rated
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Seriously, everyone makes too big of a deal out of earthquakes. Californians know that.

How do they use the word "hella"?
To express sadness
To express rage
To express everything
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Any sentence can be made better with the use of "hella." It is necessary to communicate.

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What do Californians think about avocados?
They have too much fat
They go well on most things
They should only be eaten with Mexican food
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Californians think avocados are an exceptional food. They go well with anything, at any meal!

What do Californians think of Mexican food?
Manna
Ambrosia
All of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Mexican food is manna and ambrosia from heaven. It should be eaten often.

What is the best fast-food chain?
In-N-Out
In-N-Out
In-N-Out
All of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Lest there be any confusion, you should know that In-N-Out is the best fast food. Even non-Californians know that.

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What food were they practically raised on?
Formula
Beer
Sushi
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If you're from California, you've been eating sushi since you can remember. It's suitable for toddlers.

Californians think _______ is the best.
Disney World
Six Flags, New England
Disneyland
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

There's no question on this one. Disneyland is better than Disney World. Don't even start a conversation about Six Flags.

Californians suffer from what?
An all-or-nothing attitude
Too much aggression in general
Road rage
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Californians are pretty laid back. That being said, don't cut in front of them in traffic.

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What is a common language in California?
French
German
Spanglish
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If you've never heard Spanglish then you've never been to California! It's a fine mixture of Spanish and English.

Does everyone live by the beach in California?
Yes
Yes, and they're all tan
No
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If you answered this one wrong, you're not from California. Not everyone lives at the beach.

Is Orange County in L.A.?
Yes
No
Isn't Orange County the same as L.A.?
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If you answered this wrong, you're not from California. Either that, or you might even be from Northern California!

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How do Californians feel about smiling?
They do it all the time
They're not big smilers
Only when it feels authentic
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Californians smile all the time. Even when they don't want to.

When do Californians wear flip-flops?
In the summer
In the winter
Both
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In fact, Californians wear flip-flops year-round. They even wear them to go to fancy restaurants.

Do people drive from NoCal to SoCal?
No, too far
Yes, all the time
No, they take the train
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

California is a massive state. It takes 12 to 16 hours to drive from the top to the bottom.

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What kind of beer do Californians drink most?
Heineken
Coors
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

It is the state beer. Pop open a cold one and look like a Californian.

In California, each region _________.
Is pretty much the same
Has its own language
Has its own identity
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In California, each region has its own identity. Non-Californians don't get that.

What's the best team in the NBA?
Lakers
Celtics
Bulls
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

For Californians, the Lakers are clearly the best team. Don't ever argue with them about this.

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Californians don't understand what?
Why people vacation there
Why anyone stays in the state
Why people would want to live anywhere else
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

For Californians, there's no better place in the world! They could travel to Paris and miss California.

How does a Californian say, "everything is okay"?
It's all right
Things are fine
It's super chill, dude
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When something is "super chill," everything is okay. You could use this phrase when talking with your grandmother.

How does a Californian say, "I'm very serious"?
Like, literally
This is not a joke
I'm being quite earnest
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Like, literally. This means that the statement that you have said is serious.

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Californians have open _________.
Relationships
Bank accounts
Chakras
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Californians believe in opening their chakras. They will also do anything to improve their chi.

How do you say "for sure" in California?
Fo sho
Fo reals
Fo shizzle
All of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

These are all proper ways of saying "for sure" when in California. "Fo shizzle" is preferred.

Californians have many ways of saying "awesome."
True statement
Not really
They pretty much just say "awesome"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Californians have many ways of saying "awesome." These include: clutch, killer, dope, rad, sweet and epic.

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How is weed looked upon in California?
Strictly banned
Encouraged by police
Police don't really care
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In all honesty, the cops turn a blind eye. Especially at festivals and events.

If you're a vegan, it's ________ to eat out in California.
Difficult
Impossible
Easy
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Whether you're a vegan, vegetarian or gluten free, you'll find that it's very easy to eat out in California.

For Californians, where does the best wine come from?
Argentina
California
France
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Californians love California wine. They'll drink other stuff, but they'd rather drink Californian.

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Californians love what?
Yoga
More yoga
Both
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Californians really believe in yoga. In fact, they're obsessed with it.

According to Californians, what is the greatest highway in the world?
PCH
Route 66
US 50
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

PCH stands for Pacific Coast Highway. It's the greatest highway in the world.

How do NoCal and SoCal feel about one another?
They hate each other
They love each other
They love and hate each other
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

NoCal and SoCal have a love/hate relationship. They definitely mock one another.

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In California, what's true about plastic bags?
They're used everywhere
They're rather cheap
They're almost banned
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Plastic bags are banned in L.A. and San Francisco. Be sure to bring your own.

For Californians, it's not uncommon to do what?
Do lunch
Have beach meetings
Skip breakfast
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Doing lunch is a big deal in California. Everywhere else in the country people meet for drinks. But Californians lunch.

How do Californians feel about famous people?
They are chill
They go nuts
They're all famous anyway
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Californians are chill about famous people. They're chill about everything else, as well.

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If a Californian is late, they blame it on what?
UFOs
Traffic
Politics
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When in doubt, blame it on traffic. There's always traffic, and it's never pleasant.

In California, everyone owns and wears which of these?
Plaid pants
Fur
A hoodie
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The hoodie is the state uniform of California. Thanks, Mark Zuckerberg.

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