Washington, D.C. isn’t just the nation’s capital—it’s a city with its own unique culture, energy, and, of course, slang. Whether you’re here for work, school, or just visiting, knowing the local lingo will help you blend in like a true Washingtonian.
From politics to brunch culture, here’s a guide to some of the most typical D.C. vocabulary that you’ll hear around the city.
1) Monumenting
(verb) The act of walking around D.C.’s famous monuments while drinking alcohol, often from a disguised container. This term is especially popular among students at George Washington University, whose campus is just steps away from the National Mall.
Example: “The weather’s perfect for some monumenting this weekend.”
2) The DMV
(noun) Short for D.C., Maryland, and Virginia, referring to the greater Washington metro area. People from this region often just say "I’m from the DMV" instead of specifying their exact location.
Example: “Yeah, I’m from the DMV, but actually from Arlington.”
3) The Hill
(noun) Short for Capitol Hill, where Congress operates and where countless interns, staffers, and lobbyists spend their days (and their overpriced happy hours).
Example: “He says he works on the Hill, but he’s actually just an unpaid intern.”
4) NoVa
(noun) Short for Northern Virginia, a densely populated region right outside of D.C. Known for its highly ranked schools, tech jobs, and people who claim to be from D.C. but aren’t really from D.C.
Example: “If someone says they’re from D.C., but they mean Fairfax, they’re from NoVa.”
5) Intern Energy
(noun) That overworked, overly eager vibe you’ll find in many young professionals who just moved to D.C. Usually seen rushing in business casual, balancing a Starbucks cup, and name-dropping political connections.
Example: “She’s got serious intern energy, she’s been networking non-stop since she got here.”
6) The Wharf
(noun) A trendy, recently redeveloped waterfront area with restaurants, bars, and music venues. It’s a great place to go out but be prepared for high prices and a lot of tourists.
Example: “Let’s hit The Wharf for drinks, but not at one of those $18 cocktail places.”
7) The Dupont Exodus
(noun) The weekly migration of young professionals and students to the bars in Dupont Circle, especially on Thursday nights.
Example: “It’s almost the weekend - time for the Dupont Exodus.”
8) Brunch Culture
(noun) A D.C. weekend tradition, where people dress up and spend way too much money on bottomless mimosas and overpriced avocado toast. If you’re in D.C. on a Sunday morning, chances are, someone’s at brunch.
Example: “I swear, people in D.C. take brunch more seriously than their jobs.”
9) The Beltway
(noun) Technically, it’s Interstate 495, the highway that circles D.C. But it’s often used metaphorically to refer to Washington’s political bubble — the world of policymakers, lobbyists, and journalists who all seem to be talking to each other.
Example: “Inside the Beltway, everyone cares about this bill, but the rest of the country doesn’t even know it exists.”
10) Hilltern
(noun) A combination of "Hill" + "intern" = an intern on Capitol Hill. Often unpaid, often exhausted, and usually talking about how much experience they’re getting.
Example: “He’s a classic Hilltern - brags about working 12-hour days but can’t afford lunch.”
Washington, D.C., has its own language—part political, part local culture, and part student slang. Whether you’re monumenting, brunching, or surviving intern life, knowing these phrases will help you feel like a real Washingtonian.
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