If you grew up in Alberta, or have been here long enough for the oil to seep into your soul, you know our province is more than just mountains and prairies. It's a collection of shared memories, unique slang, and cultural quirks that baffle outsiders. This is the ultimate test of your local pride.

How many of these 50 truly Albertan things do you understand?

The Nostalgia Hits (1-10)

1. "Cars Cost Less in Wetaskiwin!"
2. If you can't hear the jingle in your head, are you even an Albertan? This is the one commercial slogan that lives rent-free in every provincial brain.
3. The Original WEM (Fantasyland & The Submarines)
4. Before it was Galaxyland, it was Fantasyland, and you remember the smell of the water, the terrifying Drop of Doom, and the magic of riding a real submarine in the middle of a landlocked province.
5. The "Cadillac Ranch" Line Dance
6. It doesn't matter if you listen to country music; if the DJ throws on this Nitty Gritty Dirt Band track at a wedding or the Stampede, you instinctively know the moves. It's an unspoken Albertan law.
7. Klondike Days, Not Just K-Days
8. You remember when the Edmonton fair was steeped in a specific gold-rush theme, and maybe you even donned a bonnet or a vest.
9. The Great Beef Wars
10. The unwavering, passionate, and sometimes absurd sports rivalry between Edmonton and Calgary that extends far beyond hockey (but definitely peaks with the Battle of Alberta). You choose a side early and stick with it.
11. "The Rat Hole"
12. The slightly ominous, low-clearance underpass on 109 Street in Edmonton that you always drive through a little too fast.
13. The Painted Stampede Cows (Udderly Art)
14. In the late '90s and early 2000s, these colourful, fibreglass cows were everywhere in Calgary. Finding them was a childhood scavenger hunt.
15. The Dreaded Chinook Headaches
16. You can feel the warm, dry wind coming in your sinuses hours before it hits, and you have a name for the sudden temperature change that melts all the snow.
17. Getting 'Sent to Ponoka'
18. An old-school, slightly dark joke referencing the psychiatric facility in the town of Ponoka, used as a threat for kids who were acting up.
19. Zellers Restaurants
20. The ultimate stop for a quick, cheap meal with grandma, often near the fitting rooms. That grilled cheese and fountain pop was peak nostalgia.
21. "Goin' to the Lake"
22. This almost always refers to a specific, well-known lake, like Sylvan, Gull, or Cold Lake. If it's a cabin, it's a "cabin," not a cottage.
23. The 3-Second Wave
24. The subtle, one-finger-off-the-steering-wheel wave you give another truck driver out on the rural highways. It's the ultimate polite nod.
25. Calgary's "Deerfoot" vs. Edmonton's "The Whitemud"
26. You know that each city has one ring road/freeway that is the bane of its driving existence, especially at rush hour.
27. The Unofficial Provincial Bird: The Magpie
28. The black and white menace that is everywhere, loud, and known for stealing everything shiny from your backyard.
29. Wearing a Toque in September
30. And a t-shirt in November. You never trust a weather forecast and you dress in layers that cover all four seasons.
31. Your First Visit to Banff/Jasper is Mandatory
32. While we all complain about the tourists, a trip to the Rockies is a rite of passage for every Albertan. It's our backyard, and we’re fiercely proud of it.
33. The Smell of Feedlots in the Summer
34. A harsh but true reminder that you are absolutely in cattle country. You just roll the windows up and power through.
35. The True Meaning of "Give 'er"
36. Not just trying hard, but giving a task absolutely everything you've got, usually with an unnecessary level of intensity.
37. Knowing the Exact Route of the 'Oil Sands' Highway
38. You either drive it, know someone who drives it, or know someone who drives it on a rotation. The North is a powerful economic engine.
39. Calgary is "Cowtown," Edmonton is "The Big Onion" (Or "E-town")
40. And you defend your city's (self-appointed or historical) nickname fiercely.