So! I'm originally from Long Island, NY. I live in Columbus, Ohio with my Floridian boyfriend whom I met in Tennessee. He bristled when he heard me say "on line," a New York regionalism featured on this program. Our friend Cary (from North Carolina), also in an uproar said, "I'll bet you say 'shut the lights' too!"
Well, this was even worse than "on line." Hysterics ensued. I don't see why. You "fermer" stuff in French, and that "off" in "shut off" is so dang perfunctory.

Do YOU say "shut the lights?" Where are you from?

No, I don't say, "open the lights," and I certainly don't say "close the lights." Anathema. Blegh.

Post edited 1:23PM – Mar-14-10 by Jackie

I grew up in western Pennsylvania. I use both shut off and turn off, when it comes to the lights. I had a friend who grew up in Pennsylvania Dutch country who would say, "Outen the lights."

PrettyToney, I'm not sure I know what you mean by "jawn." Philly and Pittsburgh are miles apart in lingo.

Interesting. I've got friends in Philly. I'll ask around and let you know if I come up with anything.

My relatives in North Carolina said, "Mash the lights."

PrettyToney, I was just chatting with an old friend from Philly. He's lived there all his life and has never heard of jawn. Maybe it's a Penn thing?

We say "shut off the lights" and "turn off the lights", but my ex-wife, a non-native speaker (from Puerto Rico) used to say "close the lights". I always thought that was odd.