150 Best Indianapolis Sayings and Jokes You Need to Know

Ever heard someone say “it’s a real Indy 500 out there” and wondered what they meant? Indianapolis, like any great city, has its own unique language, a blend of local slang, inside jokes, and quirky expressions. This post dives into the heart of those Indianapolis sayings and jokes, uncovering the humor and heritage hidden within.

From playful jabs at our sports scene to affectionate nods to local landmarks, these phrases are more than just words; they’re a glimpse into the city’s soul. Get ready to laugh, learn, and maybe even start using a few of these Indianapolis sayings yourself.

Best Indianapolis Sayings and Jokes You Need to Know

• The only thing flatter than Indiana is my attempt at parallel parking downtown.
• Why did the tourist get lost in Indianapolis? He couldn’t find his ‘Indy’pendent way.
• I’m not saying the potholes in Indianapolis are bad, but I saw a family of ducks setting up a homestead in one.
• An Indianapolis resident walks into a coffee shop and orders a “double-double.” The barista says, “You must be from out of town, around here we say ‘two coffees, please.'”
• “I’m moving to Indy!” said no one ever, while simultaneously complaining about humidity.
• What’s the best thing about the Indianapolis Motor Speedway? The sound of a packed crowd… followed closely by the sound of people leaving when the race is over.
• My favorite thing about Indianapolis is that you can always find a parking spot… if you’re willing to walk five blocks.
• Indianapolis: Where you can experience all four seasons in a single afternoon.
• A guy in Indianapolis told me he was a “car enthusiast.” He then proceeded to show me pictures of his minivan.
• They say Indianapolis is the Crossroads of America, I say it’s the crossroads of ‘Where am I supposed to turn here?’
• I tried to explain the rules of Indycar to my friend. He’s still confused, but now he knows to look out for a yellow flag.
• If you’re ever feeling down, just remember you’re not the person stuck in traffic on I-465 during rush hour.
• An Indianapolis joke: I tried to have an exciting weekend, but ended up just going to Meijer.
• What’s the most challenging sport in Indianapolis? Trying to navigate the one-way streets.
• I asked a local for directions, he said, “Just head south until you hit a roundabout then, good luck.”

Indianapolis Sayings: A Hoosier State of Mind

“Indianapolis Sayings: A Hoosier State of Mind” dives into the charming quirks of local language. It’s more than just jokes; it’s a peek into what makes Indianapolis, well, Indianapolis. From playful slang to shared expressions, this collection reveals the heart and humor of the city, offering a fun way to…

• You know you’re an Indianapolis local when you can give directions using only the names of different fast food chains, the general direction of the nearest highway, and the phrase, “just past the big empty field.”
• An Indianapolis resident’s idea of a “quick trip” is a 30 minute drive to a different part of the same city, but with better parking, and a slightly less crowded grocery store.
• I tried to have a picnic by the canal, but the geese formed a committee and demanded a share of my snacks, and a detailed plan for future picnics.
• My therapist told me to embrace my inner Hoosier, so I went to a race and cheered for all the cars, even the ones that weren’t winning.
• An Indianapolis resident’s favorite pastime is complaining about how flat it is while simultaneously enjoying a scenic bike ride on the Monon Trail.
• An Indianapolis driver’s idea of a ‘merging lane’ is a suggestion, not a rule; also, turn signals are an optional feature.
• My car’s air conditioning is so powerful, it could probably solve the world’s humidity crisis, and also, I can still feel the heat.
• I tried to make a joke about the Speedway, but it was too fast-paced.
• An Indianapolis dating profile would probably read: “Seeking someone who appreciates a good tenderloin, doesn’t mind the occasional road construction, and can navigate a roundabout like a pro.”
• They say everything’s bigger in Texas, but in Indianapolis, the potholes are definitely trying to compete, and the lines at Meijer are too.
• “I tried to have a quiet, romantic dinner in Indianapolis, but ended up at a restaurant with a trivia night, a live band, and a sudden downpour, but at least the tenderloin was good.”
• My apartment is so small, I have to go to the Speedway to feel like I have some space to roam, and maybe get some sun.
• Why did the race car refuse to play hide-and-seek? Because it always gave itself away with the roaring engine.
• A tourist asked me what the secret to happiness was; I told them, “A good tenderloin, a Colts win, and avoiding I-465 during rush hour.”
• You know you’re an Indianapolis local when you can identify the exact type of construction barrel just by the shade of orange.

Indianapolis Jokes: Laughing Our Way Through the Circle City

Indianapolis Jokes: Laughing Our Way Through the Circle City explores the humorous side of Indy life. From poking fun at our confusing streets to lighthearted jabs at the Indy 500, these jokes capture the unique spirit of our city. It’s a collection that celebrates our quirks and gives us all…

• You know you’re an Indianapolis local when you can give directions using only the names of different fast food chains, the general direction of the nearest highway, and the phrase, “just past the big empty field, and then another big empty field”.
• I tried to have a romantic picnic by the canal, but the ducks formed a committee and demanded a detailed breakdown of my sandwich contents, and a plan for future picnics.
• An Indianapolis resident’s idea of a “quick trip” is a 30 minute drive to a different part of the same city, but with better parking, and a slightly less crowded Meijer.
• An Indianapolis driver’s turn signal is less of a suggestion and more of a surprise for the other drivers.
• An Indianapolis resident’s biggest fear? Running out of tenderloin before the weekend ends, or finding a roundabout that they can’t navigate.
• My therapist told me to embrace my inner Hoosier, so I went to the Speedway and started cheering for the pace car.
• “My Indianapolis dating life is a lot like the traffic on 465: slow-moving, slightly frustrating, but with the occasional beautiful view of a field.”
• An Indianapolis resident walks into a coffee shop and orders a “double-double”. The barista says, “You must be from out of town, around here we say ‘two coffees, please’.”
• I tried to make a joke about the Monument Circle, but it was too circular.
• An Indianapolis resident’s idea of a “balanced diet” is a tenderloin sandwich in one hand and a sugar cream pie in the other.
• You know you’re an Indianapolis local when you can identify the exact type of construction barrel just by the specific shade of orange, and you know what highway is being worked on.
• My car’s GPS in Indianapolis now just says, “Prepare for a sudden detour due to road construction, and a strong desire for a tenderloin sandwich.”
• Indianapolis: Where “a few minutes away” means you’re either already there, or you’re still in the next county, and it’s probably because you stopped for a tenderloin.
• “My therapist told me to embrace my inner Indianapolis resident, so I started complaining about how flat it is and how difficult it is to find parking, and then asked if they wanted to go for a bike ride on the Monon Trail, and then we did, but first, we had to try a new tenderloin place, and then we had to find parking.”
• They say everything’s bigger in Texas, but the potholes in Indianapolis are actively trying to compete, and the lines at Meijer are too.

Unique Indianapolis Sayings: Expressions You’ll Only Hear Here

Ever heard someone say “going to the crick” or “hoosier hospitality”? Those are just a taste of Indianapolis’s unique language! From playful slang to localisms born from our history, these sayings add a special flavor to conversations here. They’re part of the charm, making our jokes and stories uniquely Indy.

• “You know you’re an Indy native when you can give directions using only the names of fast-food chains, the general direction of the nearest highway, and the phrase ‘just past the big empty field, and then another big empty field.'”
• “An Indianapolis resident’s idea of a ‘quick trip’ is a 30-minute drive to a different part of the same city, but with better parking, and a slightly less crowded Meijer, and a new tenderloin place.”
• “My Indianapolis dating profile: ‘Seeking someone who appreciates a good tenderloin, doesn’t mind road construction, and can navigate a roundabout like a pro.'”
• “Indianapolis: Where the four seasons are ‘road construction,’ ‘more road construction,’ ‘almost winter,’ and ‘a week of pretending it’s not going to be cold again soon’, and then repeat.”
• “They say everything’s bigger in Texas, but the potholes in Indianapolis are definitely trying to compete.”
• “An Indianapolis resident’s biggest fear? Running out of tenderloin before the weekend ends, and also, finding a roundabout they can’t navigate.”
• “An Indianapolis driver’s turn signal is less of a suggestion and more of a surprise for the other drivers and a way of saying ‘I’m about to do something unpredictable.'”
• “Why did the race car break down in Indianapolis? It ran out of gas trying to navigate the one-way streets.”
• “My car’s GPS in Indianapolis now just says, ‘Prepare for a sudden detour due to road construction, and a strong desire for a tenderloin sandwich.'”
• “An Indianapolis resident walks into a coffee shop and orders a ‘double-double’. The barista says, ‘You must be from out of town, around here we say ‘two coffees, please’.'”
• “You know you’re an Indianapolis local when you can identify the exact type of construction barrel by the specific shade of orange, and you know what highway is being worked on, and you know where to avoid the traffic.”
• “Indianapolis’s dating profile would probably read: ‘Adventurous explorer seeking someone who doesn’t mind long drives, the occasional map malfunction, and the possibility of ending up at a new tenderloin place, and then finding a parking spot.’”
• “My favorite Indianapolis workout? Dodging potholes while simultaneously trying to find a parking spot downtown, and then trying to find a good tenderloin.”
• “Indianapolis: Where the only thing flatter than the landscape is my attempt at parallel parking downtown.”
• “If you’re ever feeling down, just remember you’re not the person stuck in traffic on I-465 during rush hour, and you have to find a parking spot, and then find a tenderloin.”

Funny Indianapolis Jokes: From the Speedway to the Canal

Indianapolis folks have a unique sense of humor! “Funny Indianapolis Jokes” captures our local quirks, from the roar of the Speedway to the peaceful canal. It’s a collection of witty sayings and jokes that only someone who knows Indy would truly appreciate. Think of it as a humorous guide to…

• An Indianapolis resident’s idea of a “quick trip” is a 30 minute drive to a different part of the same city, but with better parking and a slightly less crowded Kroger.
• You know you’re an Indianapolis local when you can give directions using only the names of different fast food chains, the general direction of the nearest highway, and the phrase, “just past the big empty field and the other big empty field”.
• “My Indianapolis dating profile picture is just me holding a tenderloin sandwich, because honestly, what else do you need to know?”
• Indianapolis traffic is like a roundabout; you think you’re getting somewhere, but you end up in the same place.
• An Indianapolis resident’s favorite game is trying to guess which road will be under construction next.
• Indianapolis: Where the only thing flatter than the landscape is my attempt at parallel parking downtown.
• I tried to have an exciting weekend in Indianapolis, but ended up just going to Meijer, and then maybe trying a new tenderloin place, and then going back to Meijer.
• “My therapist told me to embrace my inner Hoosier, so I went to a Pacers game and yelled at the referee for a foul call that was clearly not a foul.”
• An Indianapolis driver’s turn signal is less of a suggestion and more of a surprise for the other drivers and a way of saying “I’m about to do something unpredictable, so you might want to brace yourself.”
• Indianapolis: Where the four seasons are road construction, more road construction, almost winter, and a week of pretending it’s not going to be cold again soon.
• “I’m not saying I’m bad at navigating Indianapolis, but I’m pretty sure my GPS now just suggests taking a nap in traffic.”
• An Indianapolis resident walks into a coffee shop and orders a “double-double.” The barista says, “You must be from out of town, around here we say ‘two coffees, please’.”
• “My Indianapolis dating life is a lot like the traffic on 465: slow-moving, slightly frustrating, but with the occasional beautiful view of a field, or a new tenderloin place.”
• Indianapolis drivers treat lane lines like they’re optional and roundabouts like they’re a personal challenge.
• “Indianapolis: Where ‘a few minutes away’ means you’re either already there, or you’re still in the next county, and it’s probably because you stopped for a tenderloin.”

Indianapolis Food Sayings: What’s Cooking in Indiana?

Ever heard “tenderloin, anyone?” That’s Indianapolis talking! Our food sayings are as comforting as a warm sugar cream pie. From “Hoosier hospitality” served on a plate to playful banter about the best breaded pork, Indianapolis jokes often revolve around our delicious, down-home eats. We’re serious about food, and it shows…

• An Indianapolis resident’s idea of a light snack is a tenderloin the size of their head.
• You know you’re in Indy when the server asks if you want your breaded pork tenderloin “classic style” or “extra crispy,” and you know exactly what they mean.
• An Indianapolis diet consists of 50% tenderloin, 30% sugar cream pie, and 20% hoping for a Colts win.
• I tried to order a salad at a local diner, and the waitress looked at me like I’d just asked for a unicorn. “Honey, we have slaw,” she said.
• An Indy “quick bite” is anything that can be held in one hand while navigating a roundabout.
• My favorite Indianapolis workout is lifting a giant tenderloin to my mouth.
• You know you’re an Indianapolis local when you can identify the best sugar cream pie bakery by its aroma from a block away.
• “Spice” in Indianapolis means adding a little extra black pepper to your already breaded and fried food.
• A tourist asked me what the secret to happiness was, I told him “Tenderloin, and maybe a little bit of sunshine, and also, have you tried the sugar cream pie?”
• An Indianapolis restaurant’s menu is just a list of ways they can bread and fry a tenderloin.
• My therapist told me to embrace my inner foodie, so I went on a tenderloin tour of the city.
• Indianapolis: Where the question isn’t “What’s for dinner?” but “Which tenderloin place are we hitting up tonight?”
• An Indianapolis resident’s idea of a balanced breakfast is a tenderloin biscuit, a sugar cream pie, and a cup of coffee, preferably from a local roaster.
• They say Indianapolis has four seasons: tenderloin season, sugar cream pie season, race season, and construction season, and sometimes they all overlap.
• Indianapolis dating: where the first question is always, “Do you like tenderloin?” and the second is, “Have you tried the sugar cream pie at the place on 16th street?”

Indianapolis Sports Jokes: Poking Fun at Our Teams

Indianapolis loves its sports, and we love to laugh about them! “Indianapolis Sports Jokes” is a collection of good-natured ribbing aimed at our beloved teams, from the Colts to the Pacers. It’s all part of our local humor, a way to bond over shared victories and, let’s be honest, some…

• An Indianapolis Colts fan’s idea of a balanced diet is a tenderloin sandwich in one hand and a blue and white foam finger in the other.
• The Pacers’ offense is so predictable, even the opposing team’s mascot knows what play is coming next.
• I tried to make a joke about the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, but it was too fast-paced, and I’m still not sure which way to turn.
• You know you’re in Indianapolis when the most common phrase is “Wait ‘til next year,” regardless of the season.
• An Indianapolis Colts game is the only place where it’s acceptable to wear a horseshoe on your head, and yell at a referee.
• My therapist told me to embrace my inner Hoosier, so I started wearing a Pacers jersey to therapy and complaining about the lack of a championship.
• Indianapolis: Where the biggest rivalry isn’t Colts vs. Patriots, it’s which tenderloin place is better.
• The Pacers’ defense is so porous, you could drive a semi-truck through it, and probably find parking in the paint.
• Why did the Colts fan bring a ladder to the game? He heard the team was trying to reach new heights, and they needed all the help they could get.
• You know you’re a true Indianapolis sports fan when you can name every player on the 1970s Pacers team, but not your neighbor’s name.
• An Indianapolis Colts’ Super Bowl ring? It’s probably still at the jeweler, awaiting repairs.
• The Pacers’ strategy is a work in progress, much like downtown Indianapolis, but with more turnovers.
• My car’s GPS in Indianapolis now just says, “Prepare for a detour due to road construction, and a strong urge to go to a Pacers game, and then find a tenderloin.”
• Indianapolis: where “a close game” is usually a polite way of saying “we almost won, but not really.”
• An Indianapolis resident’s idea of a balanced weekend is watching the Colts lose on Sunday, and then complaining about it all week.

Local Indianapolis Sayings: Understanding Regional Dialect

Ever hear someone in Indy say “jag off” or talk about “the crick”? That’s our local dialect shining through! Understanding these sayings is like unlocking a secret code to Indianapolis culture. From playful jabs to describing landmarks, these phrases add color to our conversations and make our jokes that much…

• You know you’re an Indianapolis local when your idea of a “scenic drive” is taking the long way around the 465 loop to avoid construction, and then ending up in more construction.
• An Indianapolis resident’s biggest fear? A weekend without a tenderloin sandwich, and also, having to actually use their turn signal.
• “Just a quick trip to Meijer,” said the Indianapolis resident, three hours before returning home with a cart full of things they didn’t need, and a new tenderloin place to try.
• Indianapolis: Where the most common phrase is “Wait, which way does this roundabout go again?”
• My car’s GPS in Indianapolis now just says, “Prepare for a series of roundabouts, and a strong urge to get a sugar cream pie, and maybe a tenderloin.”
• You know you’re an Indianapolis local when you can give directions using only the names of different fast food chains, the general direction of the nearest highway, and the phrase, “just past the big empty field, and then the other big empty field, and then a roundabout.”
• An Indianapolis date is a lot like a drive on 465: you’re not sure where you’re going, but you’re hoping for a smooth ride and a good view of a field.
• Indianapolis: Where the four seasons are road construction, more road construction, almost winter, and a week of pretending it’s not going to be cold again soon, and then repeat.
• They say Indianapolis is the crossroads of America, but I think it’s more like a series of roundabouts that all lead to a Meijer and a new tenderloin place.
• My therapist told me to embrace my inner Hoosier, so I went to a Pacers game and started yelling at the ref while eating a tenderloin sandwich.
• An Indianapolis resident’s idea of a “quick workout” is navigating a roundabout while simultaneously trying to eat a breaded pork tenderloin.
• You know you’re an Indianapolis local when you can identify the exact type of construction barrel by the specific shade of orange, and you know what highway is being worked on, and you know where to find the best sugar cream pie, and you know which tenderloin place has the best breading.
• Indianapolis: Where the only thing flatter than the landscape is my attempt at parallel parking downtown.
• “Just a few minutes away,” said the Indianapolis resident, which translated to “I’ll see you in 45 minutes, after I’ve driven through two roundabouts and stopped for a tenderloin.”
• My favorite Indianapolis sport? Trying to find a parking spot downtown, then trying to find a new tenderloin place, then trying to find my way home.

Indianapolis History Jokes: A Lighthearted Look at the Past

Ever wonder what makes Indianapolis tick? “Indianapolis History Jokes” digs into our past with a smile, joining the fun of “Indianapolis Sayings and Jokes.” It’s a lighthearted romp through local lore, offering a unique way to connect with the city’s story. Expect chuckles and maybe even a “wait, that really…

• “Indianapolis: Where the only thing higher than the rent is the anticipation for the next Colts season, and then the disappointment of the season.”
• You know you’re an Indianapolis local when you can give directions using only the names of different fast food chains, the general direction of the nearest highway, and the phrase, “just past the big empty field, and then another big empty field, and then a roundabout, and then another big empty field.”
• My therapist told me to embrace my inner Hoosier, so I went to a Pacers game, started cheering for the opposing team (because they were winning), and then went to a new tenderloin place, and then I tried to find parking.
• “Indianapolis: Where a ‘quick trip’ to the grocery store involves driving through at least two roundabouts, and then deciding that you don’t need the thing you came for, and then going to a new tenderloin place.”
• An Indianapolis resident’s idea of a “balanced breakfast” is a tenderloin biscuit and a sugar cream pie, preferably from two different places, and then a large cup of coffee, and then they start planning their lunch, and then they go to Meijer.
• I tried to make a joke about the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, but it was too fast-paced, and I’m still not sure which way to turn, and then I got stuck in a roundabout.
• “Indianapolis dating profile: Seeking someone who appreciates a good tenderloin, doesn’t mind road construction, and can navigate a roundabout like a pro, and also has a Meijer card.”
• “Indianapolis: Where the four seasons are road construction, more road construction, almost winter, and a week of pretending it’s not going to be cold again soon, and then repeat, and then there’s a Pacers game, and then more road construction.”
• My car’s GPS in Indianapolis now just says, “Prepare for a series of roundabouts, and a strong desire for a tenderloin sandwich.”
• Why did the chicken cross the road in Indianapolis? To get to the other side, where they had a new tenderloin place that was better than the one on the other side of the roundabout, and also, they had a Meijer coupon.
• You know you’re an Indianapolis local when you can identify the best sugar cream pie bakery by its aroma from a block away, and you know where to find the best tenderloin, and you know where to avoid the construction, and you know the best way to get to Meijer.
• “Indianapolis: Where ‘a few minutes away’ means you’re either already there, or you’re still in the next county, and it’s probably because you stopped for a tenderloin and a sugar cream pie, and then you got stuck in a roundabout.”
• My favorite Indianapolis workout is lifting a giant tenderloin sandwich to my mouth, and then trying to find a parking spot, and then complaining about the potholes, and then going to Meijer.
• An Indianapolis resident’s idea of a “light snack” is a tenderloin sandwich, a sugar cream pie, and a large cup of coffee, and then maybe a trip to Meijer.
• “Indianapolis: Where the only thing flatter than the landscape is my attempt at parallel parking downtown, and then trying to navigate a roundabout, and then getting stuck in traffic on the 465.”