Down East

Down East
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In New England, the term Down East is applied in several different ways. In the narrowest sense, Down East refers to the coast of the U.S. state of Maine from Penobscot Bay to the Canadian border.

"Down East" can be best described as any point on the coast between Searsport and the Canadian border. At times, it is jokingly referred to as any point along the coast, east of the speaker.

The Down East, The Magazine of Maine FAQ explains the origin of the term: "When ships sailed from Boston to ports in Maine (which were to the east of Boston), the wind was at their backs, so they were sailing downwind, hence the term 'Down East.' And it follows that when they returned to Boston they were sailing upwind; many Mainers still speak of going 'up to Boston,' despite the fact that the city lies approximately 50 miles to the south of Maine’s southern border."[1]

As a cultural region, Downeast Maine encompasses the rural communities of Hancock and Washington counties.[2] Principal Downeast towns include Bucksport Lubec, Calais, Eastport, and Machias. Bar Harbor, Blue Hill, and Ellsworth can also be considered Downeast communities. The term generally excludes Mount Desert Island, although usage varies. Villages in the Schoodic area include Gouldsboro, Winter Harbor, Prospect Harbor, Steuben, and Milbridge. There are three National Wildlife Refuges (NWRs) in the region: Cross Island National Wildlife Refuge, Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge, and Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge which is in Steuben (formerly Petit Manan NWR).

See also

References

  1. ^ "Frequently Asked Questions". Down East. Archived from the original on 2001-10-21. http://web.archive.org/web/20011021073036/http://www.downeast.com/faq.html. 
  2. ^ Woodard, Colin. The Lobster Coast. New York: Viking/Penguin, 2004, pp. 27–32 (for full discussion of the term and the cultural region). ISBN 0-670-03324-3.

External links



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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Down\ East — • Down East • down east noun the northeast coastal part of the United States and part of Canada; especially: the coastal parts of Maine. Many people in Boston like to go down east for their summer vacation. Compare: I wouldn t do it for a farm… …   Словарь американских идиом

  • down\ east — • Down East • down east noun the northeast coastal part of the United States and part of Canada; especially: the coastal parts of Maine. Many people in Boston like to go down east for their summer vacation. Compare: I wouldn t do it for a farm… …   Словарь американских идиом

  • down-East — down East, 1. New England. 2. the northeastern part of New England, especially Maine. down East «DOWN EEST», adjective, adverb. –adj. of or having to do with northeastern New England, especially Maine: »a down East twang. –adv. in, to, or toward… …   Useful english dictionary

  • Down East — Down′ East′ adv. (often l.c.) 1) geg in or to New England 2) geg in or to the state of Maine 3) in or to the Maritime Provinces 4) geg New England 5) geg the state of Maine 6) can. brit. the Maritime Provinces • Etymology: 1810–20, amer. down… …   From formal English to slang

  • down-East|er — «DOWN EES tuhr», noun. a person who lives in or comes from New England, especially Maine: »... a spare, porch sitting down Easter (Time) …   Useful english dictionary

  • Down East — ☆ Down East adj., adv. [also d e ] Informal in or into New England, esp. Maine down easter n …   English World dictionary

  • down east — (ˈ) ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ adverb (or adjective) Usage: often capitalized D&E : in or into the northeast coastal section of the United States and parts of the Maritime Provinces of Canada; specifically : in or into coastal Maine * * * 1. in, to, or into New… …   Useful english dictionary

  • down east — or[Down East] {n.} The northeast coastal part of the United States and part of Canada; especially: the coastal parts of Maine. * /Many people in Boston like to go down east for their summer vacation./ Compare: I WOULDN T DO IT FOR A FARM DOWN… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • down east — or[Down East] {n.} The northeast coastal part of the United States and part of Canada; especially: the coastal parts of Maine. * /Many people in Boston like to go down east for their summer vacation./ Compare: I WOULDN T DO IT FOR A FARM DOWN… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • down east — adverb Usage: often capitalized D&E Date: 1825 in or into the northeast coastal section of the United States and parts of the Maritime Provinces of Canada; specifically in or into coastal Maine • down east adjective, often capitalized D&E …   New Collegiate Dictionary

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