The Baja

When referring to California as "The California"?
Seriously though, I mention this point very often among my friends. I reply with, "You mean the northern state of Baja or the southern state of Baja?"
Or just Baja works for me. No "the".
Point in case... South California or North California. I know, there aren't two states, but everyone knows where you're talking about. I'm from So Cal or No Cal.

The same goes for the pronunciation of Tijuana. It's not "Teeawana" there isn't an A after the I. It's Teewhana....



[Edited on 1-27-2020 by KasloKid]

Quote: Originally posted by KasloKid

When referring to California as "The California"? Seriously though, I mention this point very often among my friends. I reply with, "You mean the northern state of Baja or the southern state of Baja?" Or just Baja works for me. No "the". Point in case... South California or North California. I know, there aren't two states, but everyone knows where you're talking about. I'm from So Cal or No Cal. The same goes for the pronunciation of Tijuana. It's not "Teeawana" there isn't an A after the I. It's Teewhana.... [Edited on 1-27-2020 by KasloKid]

I am in a bind here. I don't want to give up saying "Baja" - how can I then ask others to abandon their "The Baja"?

Just Don't...what does it really matter? It's no different than the 57 different ways to describe your sexuality.

Describe it as you wish and just leave it at that. NO ONE REALLY CARES. Sorry mommy taught you that you were important.

OK now this thread will get massive posts

Quote: Originally posted by paranewbi

I am in a bind here. I don't want to give up saying "Baja" - how can I then ask others to abandon their "The Baja"? Just Don't...what does it really matter? It's no different than the 57 different ways to describe your sexuality. Describe it as you wish and just leave it at that. NO ONE REALLY CARES. Sorry mommy taught you that you were important. OK now this thread will get massive posts

We have done this subject in the past... In 2014, was one time: http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=75090

Before I ever heard others say 'The Baja', to me it was short for 'The Baja Peninsula' and 'Baja' (alone) is simply an abbreviation for 'Baja California' (the entire peninsula, not just the northern state).

In 1974, I got a CB radio and chose 'The Baja' as my handle.
In 1980, California license plates went from 6 to 7 letters/numbers so I got my own plates...



The first set were the blue plates and when I traded my blue 4x4 Subaru for a gray one, I got the white plates. As you can see, the last year I had them on my vehicle was 1997. When I got a computer, the next year I think, and learned how many Baja nuts like me were out there, I was surprised!

In late 2000, I got my first Toyota 4x4 and a couple years after that, asked about renewing the plate. DMV said that to reactivate the personalized plate, I had to pay for the years that it was not active! No thanks, that's okay.

I generally say "Baja" or "Baja California" and never call the peninsula "The Baja" unless it I add "Peninsula" to that. I think it just sounds dumb. I do recognize how some places are named with "The" however:

The Sahara,
The Sudan,
The Congo,
The Yukon, eh?


From Dave Deal in Jimmy Smith's book, 'The Ginning Gargoyle Spills the Beans'

A Sense of Singularity ?

Quote: Originally posted by JZ

I've never heard anyone say The Baja in my life.

Quote: Originally posted by del mar

I too have never heard "the baja"....is that a canadian deal?

Nope. And that would be Canadian

Quote: Originally posted by StuckSucks

I prefer Lower California.

First Edition 1956


Second Edition 1958


Third Edition 1962, + 1964 second printing

The fourth edition (1967) had update notes the same cover, + 1970 second printing.

Both the 5 and the 805 go to (the?) Baja!