Jersey Accents, Tolls & The Shore: 1st Impressions Of NJ

New Jersey has more claims to fame than we can count (although we're happy to do so if you want a list?). From the best pizza, bagels, diners and of course, people, what's not to love about the Garden State?

Given we have so many greats, New Jerseyans are a proud group, and that pride was on full display last week on National New Jersey Day. The state has some fun of its own on Twitter, educating the rest of the country on some common acronyms with a Jersey twist. Heads up to New Jersey parents, if you see these acronyms in your kids' messages, don't worry, they're just proud to be from the Garden State:

• DTF: disco those fries
• DTS: dating tony soprano
• BDE: big diner energy
• JS: jersey slide
• OMG: ordering my gas
• GTG: get the gabagool
• TBH: taking bagels home
• SMH: springsteen my hero
• FTW: for the wawa
• POS: pizza ordering skills

Patch asked readers what people's first reactions were when you tell them, "I'm from New Jersey." And boy, did we get a response. Here's a breakdown of some of our favorites.

The Accent (Insert Eyeroll)

Yeah, yeah, yeah, we know pop culture has made it fun to put on a gimmicky accent and New Jersey is (of course) the most fun accent to do. The accent stereotype can go one of two ways, you either love it or you hate it.

Laura Grabler from Bridgewater told us people tell her, "You don't sound like your from Jersey. Lived here my entire life thus far."

Jodi Fortel Wilkinson from Bridgewater said whenever she mentions she's from Jersey, "They do that stupid accent that doesn’t really sound like they are from New Jersey LOL!"

Charlene Barr from Brick said she gets sniffed out right away when she tells people and they say, "I can tell by your accent!!"

Several responses mentioned the pronunciation of Jersey as Joisey.

Driving In New Jersey And All Its Glory

The second most common response always had to do with driving. As a loud and proud people, our drivers take ownership over our roads and may be a bit, loud and proud as well.

Debby DiCorcia-DeBree from Point Pleasant said when she tells people she's from Jersey, the first they say is, "How can you afford it! And those tolls!" New Jersey drivers are experts at taking a deep breath and eating those extra 20 minutes of driving when you set the GPS to the "no toll" route.

William Doherty of Bridgewater said the first thing people tell him is, "New Jersey drivers are nuts!" We will reference our previous statement about being "loud and proud," you say tomato, I say tomatoe.

Shawn Pearl of Middletown said people usually bring up this question, "What's a jughandle?" And we could not tell you that answer with a straight face.

The Jersey Shore — Both The Location And The Show

It was bound to come up — people either think we lounge on LBI all year round or party with Snooki every weekend. It comes with the territory.

Chris Bergen of Brick said people immediately ask him a combination of both, saying, "Do you live by Seaside Heights, Where they filmed that show!!"

Sometimes, people go right for the aesthetic — Kristine Anne from Brick said, "Had someone ask me once why I don't have a "Snooki" bump in my hair."

Diane Desch of Middletown said people ask her, "Do you live by the beach?"

Our beaches are beautiful, but so are our suburbs and cities! Once you come by for a visit, we have a feeling you'll stay awhile.