The Boston Accent is Having It’s Moment

Boston’s Culture has Become Impossible to Ignore

By: Marianna Gavurmadzhyan

Graphic by Natalie Horvath

Unfortunately, I can no longer say the name “Kim Kardashian” without my voice and my mannerisms mimicking Mikayla Nogueira’s. Nor can I escape the word “Boston” when I listen to music. Artists like Tate McRae, Noah Kahan, and Stella Lefty, to name a few, have a newfound appreciation for our city, mentioning it in their recent songs.

Boston has somehow gone from being a city to being an accent, a personality, a fashion aesthetic (or lack thereof), a sports identity, and, increasingly, a punchline on the internet. Scroll through TikTok long enough, and you’re bound to see some video about the Boston aesthetic, whether that’s poking fun at Dunkin’ or romanticizing fall.

But why does Boston have such a distinct cultural identity?

Part of it is the accent. Unlike many American accents that have become less geographically distinct over time, the Boston accent remains instantly recognizable. The dropped R, elongated vowels, and words like “wicked” have become indicators of the city. It may not be all Bostonians who have a heavy accent, but even those you can’t hear right away will give themselves away when they “rum” instead of “room.”

Beyond the accent, maybe the reason Boston is so popular right now is because of the old-school New England charm mixed with modernity. Boston has always had its own personality, but social media has turned that personality into an aesthetic that people across the country can recognize. Images of Boston natives like Ben Affleck juggling five Dunkin coffees in one hand have morphed the city into a character in and of itself.

Then, there’s the Boston girl in her oversized crewneck, leggings, and Uggs. There’s the student romanticizing a walk through Beacon Hill in the fall, or the group of friends squeezing onto the T after a night out. There’s something about the city that feels both effortlessly cool and slightly unserious, and the media has picked up on it.

Boston’s popularity also comes from its contradictions. It’s a historic city with a young population, a college town with an increasingly expensive price tag, and a place where people can spend their weekends at a Red Sox game or finding the newest coffee shop. But most importantly, it is a city that feels completely and utterly authentic. People may not be the nicest at first, but they’re certainly there when needed. Stores may be small and crowded, but they’re also adapted to old, historic buildings. Every part of the city is there because it belongs.

Ask anyone from the city, and they’ll tell you that Boston has always been a little loud. Now, thanks to TikTok and pop culture, the rest of the country is finally listening and paying attention to Boston.