Learn the phrases commonly heard around town
Photo by Briana Brough
Airport Road
Now named Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard (and N.C. Highway 86), longtime Chapel Hillians sometimes still reference this former name when giving directions through the north side of Chapel Hill.
Blue Hill District
The new name for the Ephesus–Fordham district, which includes Chapel Hill’s older, suburban-style shopping centers like Eastgate Crossing, Village Plaza and Rams Plaza. The vision is to create a pleasant walking experience and a mix of commercial uses, upper story residences and offices, bike paths and sidewalk cafes.
Bynum
This small former mill town on the banks of the Haw River in Chatham County is known for its arts, live music and fun events. Many homes showcase colorful wooden creatures called “critters” made by resident folk artist Clyde Jones. The Bynum General Store is a popular spot for its front porch music series Friday nights from May to August.
Calvander
Just northeast of Chapel Hill and Carrboro, this unincorporated community marks the transition from “town” to “country.”
Carrboro
This former mill town has the second highest population density per square mile of any town in North Carolina. It’s hard to tell where Chapel Hill ends and Carrboro begins as the downtowns seamlessly connect, but it’s right around where Merritt Mill Road intersects West Franklin Street, which then turns into East Main Street. When you see Back Alley Bikes and Carrburritos, you know you’re in Carrboro.
Chatham
About two miles south of Southern Village on Highway 15-501, you cross into Chatham County, where locals usually just say, “Chatham.” About the size of Orange and Durham counties combined, Chatham features country roads with cozy, smaller neighborhoods as well as big subdivisions like Briar Chapel, Fearrington Village and Governors Club.
Chatham Park
This mega community just outside of Pittsboro will eventually have more than 20,000 homes, giant retail centers, and several schools, parks and trails covering its 7,000 acres.
The Circle/The Courthouse
The traffic circle in the heart of Pittsboro that marks the center of town and winds around the Historic Chatham County Courthouse. When you ask locals for directions, you’ll hear “It’s just off the circle.”
THE CRADLE
A nickname for Carrboro music venue Cat’s Cradle.
Dean Dome
The Dean E. Smith Center is the home arena of UNC’s men’s basketball team. While the building is named for legendary coach Dean Smith, the hardwood floor the Tar Heels play on is Roy Williams Court, named for another prominent retired coach.
Devil’s Tramping Grounds
A barren circle in the woods near Harpers Crossroads outside Bear Creek in Chatham County. Local lore alleges that the devil haunts the nearly 40-foot circle.
Eastgate
The outdoor shopping center is located at the merge of Franklin Street and Highway 15-501. Its tenants include restaurants, grocery stores, shops and more
Fordham Boulevard
A local street name for Highway 15-501, which runs from the interchange near Southern Village to just before I-40, where it then becomes Durham-Chapel Hill Boulevard.
Franklin Street
Chapel Hill’s main drag through the heart of town is divided by Columbia Street. The Franklin-Columbia intersection is where huge crowds gather to celebrate big UNC wins.
GDTBATH
“Great Day to Be a Tar Heel,” a hashtag Tar Heel fans use extensively after a great sports victory.
The Haw
This river in Chatham County, reached most easily at the Lower Haw River State Natural Area, is just south of Bynum.
Hillsborough
The seat of Orange County was founded in 1752 and has a ton of history and the scenic Riverwalk along the Eno River.
Jordan Lake
A human-made lake in Chatham County, with boating, beaches, camping and other outdoor activities.
Kenan
Kenan Memorial Stadium home to the UNC football team.
Meadowmont
A mixed-use community. The main retail village includes a Harris Teeter, banks, boutiques, a pizza spot and more.
Pittsboro
This small town 17 miles south of Chapel Hill is Chatham County’s seat.
Ramses
UNC’s mascot is a ram, named after “the battering ram,” the nickname given to the star of the 1922 football team, Jack Merritt.
Southern Village
Another mixed-use residential and retail community with Weaver Street Market (a community-owned cooperative grocery market) and a large green space with frequent events including outdoor movies.
Tar Heels
North Carolina is “The Tar Heel State,” and the nickname has two possible origins. One story is that back during the Revolutionary War, British troops discovered their feet covered with tar. Some say North Carolinians dumped it in the river to slow down the army. Another explanation is that North Carolina soldiers in the Civil War threatened to stick tar on the heels of other states’ retreating soldiers. Gen. Robert E. Lee reportedly praised them, saying, “God bless the Tar Heel boys!”
TOPO
Pronounced “Top-O.” Top of the Hill Restaurant and Brewery is on the third floor above the corner of Franklin and Columbia streets. The large outdoor patio is renowned for its views.
The Triangle
Short for the Research Triangle, a regional nickname for Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill, and all the smaller communities within the area. (Not to be confused with “The Piedmont Triad,” which is Greensboro, Winston-Salem and High Point).
University Place
Formerly known as University Mall (or U-Mall), this shopping center is home to restaurants, shops, apartments, the Chapel Hill Farmers Market and Silverspot Cinema.
YoPo
Pronounced “Yo-po.” Frozen yogurt spot, The Yogurt Pump, has been loved by locals since 1982 and is now called YoPo of Chapel Hill.
Think we should add a phrase or word to our local list? Email editor Jessica Stringer
