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Powerhouse from the South: “Y’all” Wins Dictionary.com’s 2025 Spring Slang Showdown

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Stoked, ope and nor’easter battled it out in the quarterfinals—can you use them all in a sentence?

ATLANTA, March 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Sweet Tea Territory — Y’all, we have a champion! After five nail-biting rounds, the South’s most iconic greeting took the crown in Dictionary.com‘s 2025 spring slang showdown. With its effortless charm and welcoming appeal, y’all wraps everyone into the conversation with a single syllable—making it this year’s MVP (Most Valuable Phrase).

First recorded in the 1800s, y’all has long been a hallmark of Southern speech. Some linguists trace its origins to Scots-Irish settlers and African American Vernacular English, where it emerged as a contraction of “you all.” Over time, it spread outside the South, becoming a popular, easy-going way to address a group of people across the U.S. 

“Regional words aren’t just fun expressions—they’re windows into the history, culture, and identity of the places we call home,” said Steve Johnson, Curriculum Design Manager of the Dictionary Media Group at IXL Learning. “Every phrase in this competition tells a story, and y’all winning it all shows how language unites us. It may have Southern roots, but its influence stretches far beyond.”

The ultimate regional rumble
Forget buzzer-beaters and Cinderella stories—this was a battle of words. Dictionary.com’s bracket-style competition put 32 beloved regional slang terms in a head-to-head matchup, where voters decided which expressions had the most staying power.

From the jump, y’all was a force to be reckoned with. It breezed past toboggan (who wears a beanie in the South anyway?) and longtime rival yonder in the early rounds, securing over 75% of the vote in both matchups. Things got trickier in the quarterfinals when skedaddle refused to, well, skedaddle. Still, y’all held strong with 65% of the vote.

The penultimate matchup was a true clash of cultures: the South’s friendly drawl versus the Midwest’s humble politeness. Ope—the goliath of Midwestern manners—tried to kill y’all with kindness, but Southern hospitality prevailed.

That left one final showdown. Stoked, fresh off melting nor’easter in the previous round, ditched its laid-back nature and put up the toughest fight yet. It claimed 47% of the vote—the best any word had managed against y’all. But in the end, the Southern staple was simply unstoppable. 

Clutch stats
Dictionary.com’s 2025 spring slang showdown wasn’t for the faint of heart. Let’s dive into some key highlights from the competition:

MVP (Most Voted Phrase): Y’all received 60% of the overall votes.Closest Call: Hella vs. Gnarly in the Round of 32. Hella won by just 1 vote.Biggest Blowout: Ope (12%) vs. Y’all (87%) in the quarterfinals.

Fan favorites
While y’all took home the title, plenty of regional heavyweights made deep runs in the tournament. Here’s a look at some standout contenders:

In the West:

Stoked (adjective): exhilarated; excitedHella (adverb, adjective): very; extremely or great in number, measure, or degree

In the Northeast:

Nor’easter (noun): an eastern North American storm that usually develops between the Georgia and New Jersey latitudes, progressing northeastward and typified by potentially violent northeast windsJimmies (noun): sprinkles; small particles of chocolate, candy or sugar used as a decorative topping for cookies, cakes, ice cream cones and the like

In the South:

Skedaddle (verb): to run away hurriedly; flee

In the Midwest:

Ope (noun): an interjection used to express surprise or to alert someoneWhite Lightning (noun): moonshine; smuggled or illicitly distilled liquor

Want to see the full bracket and find out how your favorite word fared? Check out Dictionary.com’s 2025 spring slang showdown recap here: https://www.dictionary.com/e/regional-slang-bracket-2025/.

About Dictionary.com
Words define every aspect of our lives, from our ideas to our identities. Dictionary.com aspires to empower people to express themselves, make connections and find opportunities through the power and joy of language. With 96 million visitors each month, Dictionary.com is the premier destination to learn, discover and have fun with the limitless world of words and meanings. The brand helps you make sense of the ever-evolving English language so you can put your ideas into words—and your words into action.

Press Contact
Joslyn Chesson
IXL Learning
press@ixl.com

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SOURCE IXL Learning

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MEDIA ADVISORY -Terrestar Solutions highlights how satellite infrastructure and Hybrid IoT unlock economic growth at CRRBC 2026

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SASKATOON, SK, Nov. 2, 2026 /CNW/ — Terrestar Solutions Inc., Canada’s only domestically headquartered and controlled mobile satellite service operator, will participate in the upcoming Canada’s Rural & Remote Broadband Community Conference & Expo (CRRBC 2026) in Saskatoon from November 2–3, 2026.

During the conference, Stéphane Miljours, Director, Business Product – IoT at Terrestar Solutions, will participate in a panel session titled “Space as Infrastructure: Driving Sovereign Connectivity and New Revenue Growth in Canada’s North.”

Miljours will address how satellite-enabled Hybrid IoT technology can unlock economic opportunities across Canada. By providing seamless connectivity beyond conventional terrestrial networks, Terrestar’s solution enables resource and regional industries–including mining, forestry, utilities, energy, and agriculture–to transform remote field operations, optimize productivity, and drive sustainable growth through data-driven intelligence.

At the conference, Terrestar Solutions is also pleased to showcase its partnership with Toccata, a Saskatchewan-based full-stack data technology company that builds remote monitoring solutions. Terrestar’s Hybrid IoT solution powers Toccata’s Canaro remote monitoring platform, which makes it easy for non-technical operators and their teams to monitor remote infrastructure, properties and facilities.

Toccata’s CEO and founder, Noah Little, will also be in attendance and available for media interviews.

Event Details:

Event: Canada’s Rural & Remote Broadband Community Conference & Expo (CRRBC 2026)Speaker: Stéphane Miljours, Director, Business Product – IoT, Terrestar SolutionsPanel Session: Space as Infrastructure: Driving Sovereign Connectivity and New Revenue Growth in Canada’s NorthDate & Time: November 3, 2026, at 9:45 a.m. CSTLocation: Delta Hotels Saskatoon Downtown

Spokesperson Availability:

Stéphane Miljours and Noah Little will be available for pre-event (phone/virtual) and on-site 1-on-1 interviews to discuss:

Unlocking economic growth with satellite-cellular Hybrid IoT innovation.Hybrid IoT pilot deployments in real-world environments, such as Twinberry Farms.Terrestar’s collaboration with local Saskatoon partner Toccata on the Canaro remote monitoring platform.

SOURCE Terrestar Solutions Inc.

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Virginia Ranked Top 5 State in Nation for Innovation & Research Ecosystem by Area Development

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National ranking builds on record growth across Virginia’s innovation ecosystem. 

RICHMOND, Va., Nov. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation (VIPC) announced today that Virginia has been ranked #5 in the country for “Innovation and Research Ecosystem” in Area Development’s 2026 Top States for Doing Business report. This latest recognition follows Virginia’s Top 10 national ranking (#6) for “Technology & Innovation” in CNBC’s 2026 America’s Top States for Business study and builds on record growth across Virginia’s statewide innovation ecosystem during the past five years. VIPC serves as the Commonwealth’s nonprofit economic development authority dedicated to growing Virginia’s innovation ecosystems through public-private partnership.

Area Development is a leading executive publication covering corporate site selection and business investment. Its 16th annual Top States for Doing Business rankings are based on a survey of expert industry consultants who evaluated states across 20 categories. “Innovation and Research Ecosystem” was Virginia’s second-highest ranked category. Virginia ranked #8 overall nationally, including #1 for “Workforce Training Programs.”

“Virginia has cultivated a robust ecosystem that connects innovation, talent, and capital, enabling businesses of all sizes to build and grow in the Commonwealth,” said Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade Carrie H. Chenery. “Through collaboration with Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation and statewide partners, we are helping researchers and entrepreneurs transform ideas into companies that create thriving communities, good jobs, and create opportunities for all Virginians.”

Over the past five years, Virginia’s innovation ecosystem has accelerated, achieving record growth milestones across university research, high-growth startup formation, and venture capital investment. Annual university research expenditures in Virginia have increased more than 40% during this period, outpacing the national growth rate and climbing to an all-time high of $2.6 billion. Over 25,000 new high-growth startups have launched throughout the Commonwealth since 2020, representing a record five-year cumulative total. Venture capital investment in Virginia startups and early-stage technology companies has also nearly doubled since 2020, reaching a record-high $2.9 billion in 2025.

“Virginia is where innovation thrives, and our Top 5 national ranking reflects the tremendous momentum across our innovation ecosystem,” said Joe Benevento, President and CEO of VIPC. “This shared success is driven by collaboration with partners throughout the Commonwealth, united by a vision to make Virginia the best place to launch, grow, and thrive.”

Virginia is continuing to innovate. Last year, VIPC created Lab-to-Launch, a unique statewide collaboration with Virginia’s leading R1 and R2 research universities to accelerate research commercialization, technology transfer, and startup spinouts. Designed to simplify and streamline technology transfer, Virginia’s Lab-to-Launch offers a faster, easier, and less costly pathway for licensing university intellectual property (IP) and advancing innovation into the marketplace. This new initiative aims to help Virginia universities double their annual technology startup spinouts.

About Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation
The Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation (VIPC) serves as the Commonwealth’s nonprofit statewide economic development authority dedicated to growing Virginia’s innovation ecosystems through public-private partnership. For more information, visit www.VIPC.org.

CONTACT:

 Amber Salter
804-591-9591
Amber.Salter@VirginiaIPC.org

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SOURCE VIPC

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HelloNation Article Highlights Downsizing Strategies From Real Estate Experts Holly Abel Grimm and Rich Grimm

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The article explains how long-time homeowners and seniors can prepare emotionally and financially for a successful move.

NEW PHILADELPHIA, Ohio, Nov. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — When is the right time for long-time homeowners or seniors to consider downsizing? A HelloNation article offers a clear, thoughtful guide to when and how to make this critical life transition.

In the feature, New Philadelphia-based real estate professionals Holly Abel Grimm and Rich Grimm, of Holly & Rich Grimm at REMAX Crossroads, offer practical advice to help seniors sell their homes or prepare to downsize. The article highlights the emotional and logistical challenges that often accompany selling a family home and outlines how homeowners can approach the process with confidence and clarity.

For many longtime homeowners, downsizing isn’t just about reducing space. It’s about finding a living arrangement that better matches current needs. The HelloNation article reframes downsizing as rightsizing, a mindset shift that helps lessen the emotional weight of the decision. This approach encourages homeowners to focus less on what they’re leaving behind and more on how they want to live going forward.

The article explains that preparing for downsizing is most effective when started early and approached gradually. Holly Abel Grimm and Rich Grimm emphasize that signs often emerge over time—whether in unused rooms, maintenance issues, or daily tasks that become more tiring. Recognizing these signs can prompt meaningful conversations and reduce the chance of rushed decisions later.

Seniors selling a home often face the added challenge of emotional attachment. Memories and family history tied to a house can make moving overwhelming. The HelloNation feature suggests breaking the process into small steps, starting with organizing storage areas and sorting personal items in manageable sessions. This helps long-time homeowners see progress without feeling burdened.

One key recommendation from the article is to engage in open conversations with family members early in the process. Discussing plans, financial concerns, and future goals helps align expectations and avoid misunderstandings. For seniors selling a home, these discussions also help ensure their wishes remain central to the plan, rather than being shaped by outside pressure.

From a practical standpoint, preparing a property for sale begins long before a home is listed. According to the article, addressing basic maintenance, minor repairs, and cosmetic updates can significantly improve the home’s market performance. This not only improves the sales experience but also allows homeowners to move at a pace that feels right for them.

Working with experienced real estate agents, such as Holly Abel Grimm and Rich Grimm, can provide clarity throughout this process. With a strong understanding of New Philadelphia’s local market, these professionals help clients navigate every stage, from determining the right time to move to assessing financial readiness. Their insight supports thoughtful decision-making and reduces uncertainty for those preparing to downsize.

Financial planning is another significant component of rightsizing. As the HelloNation article notes, seniors selling a home benefit from understanding how the sale will affect their overall financial situation. This includes considerations around retirement income, future housing costs, and long-term care. Having a strategy in place creates a smoother path toward a new chapter in life.

Ultimately, the article’s message is clear: downsizing a home should never be a rushed or reactive decision. By starting early and focusing on emotional, physical, and financial readiness, long-time homeowners can view the process as a step toward greater comfort and security.

Downsizing or Rightsizing Your Home: A Practical Guide for Long-Time Homeowners and Seniors features insights from Holly Abel Grimm and Rich Grimm, real estate experts at Holly & Rich Grimm at REMAX Crossroads in New Philadelphia, OH, in HelloNation.

About HelloNation
HelloNation is America’s Good News Network, a premier media platform built on the idea that good news travels faster when real people tell real stories. Through its community-focused publications and innovative “edvertising” approach, HelloNation delivers content that informs, inspires, and spotlights the leaders making a meaningful impact in their communities.

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SOURCE HelloNation

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