KC Talks | A guide to local lingo

Here in Kansas City, locals have a language of their own. Check out this guide to uncover insider intel on some common words and phrases you’re sure to hear around town.

KCK — Kansas City, Kansas.

KCMO — Kansas City, Missouri.

BOULEVARD — You may think this is just a street, but locals know this as Boulevard Brewing Company, the largest specialty brewer in the Midwest.

P&L OR PNL — The Power & Light District, a downtown hub complete with more than 50 restaurants, bars, apparel stores and nightlife attractions.

THE K — Kauffman Stadium, home to the Kansas City Royals baseball team.

THE NELSON — The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, where you can find KC’s signature giant shuttlecocks.

THE RIVER — The Missouri River. Not to be confused with the Kansas River, aka the Kaw, though both rivers meet up near downtown KC.

NORTHLAND — Anything north of the river.

THE PLAZA — The Country Club Plaza, an outdoor shopping oasis architecturally based on Seville, Spain. (Pro tip: locals pronounce it PLAH-zuh, not PLAW-zah.)

435 LOOP — Interstate 435, a loop that encircles much of the Kansas City metropolitan area.

JOCO — Johnson County, a Kansas county in the southern region of KC that encompasses Overland Park, Prairie Village, Olathe, Shawnee, Lenexa and more.

MAHOMIE — According to Patrick Mahomes himself, a Mahomie is “someone who loves to help others and loves to be a part of the community and make the world a better place.”

KANSAS CITY NICE — Kansas Citians take pride in the hospitality we show. There must be something in the water. n