The term Down East
or Downeast
is most commonly defined in Maine as the eastern coastal region of the state, encompassing Washington County and Hancock County. This area begins in Ellsworth and extends eastward to the Maritime Provinces. The city of Ellsworth is often referred to as the Gateway to the Downeast and Acadia Region of Maine,
which includes destinations such as Bar Harbor, Mount Desert Island, and Acadia National Park.
In the late 1700s and throughout the 1800s, sailors used schooners to transport goods to and from the coast of New England. As they traveled in a northeasterly direction, particularly during the warmer months, a strong wind often propelled them forward. This wind, known as downwind,
facilitated their journey in the direction the wind was blowing, with the first recorded use of the term occurring between 1850 and 1855, according to the Random House Dictionary. Since the sailors and their ships were also moving eastward, it's easy to see how the terms down
and east
would have been combined or even merged as a common expression indicating their travel direction.
According to the Random House Dictionary and Dictionary.com, Down East
is an Americanism dating back to 1810-1820. The Oxford English Dictionary notes it appeared in print as early as 1825.
The expression later evolved to denote a geographical area, initially referring to New England in general. Numerous ships moved along the eastern seaboard for commerce and travel. During the 1800s, Bangor, Maine, was known as the logging capital of the world.
By 1828, the term down-easter
was used to describe a person from the northeast, as referenced in the Oxford English Dictionary.
The Downeast Accent is a unique and easily recognizable feature, even for those who have lived in Maine for a long time. One of its most notable characteristics is the dropping of r's
in pronunciation. For instance, Bar Harbor
becomes Bah Ha-bah,
and car
turns into cah.
There are numerous examples of this accent's charm. An expression that seems to have gained national popularity is Wicked Good
or, Wicked Cold!
Let's not forget the quintessential Ayuh!
In summary, both Downeast
and Down East
are used interchangeably in Maine. The State of Maine refers to the Downeast and Acadia Region, whereas the state's most well-known publication is Down East Magazine. Go figure.
Note: Wind direction and ocean currents can be influenced by a phenomenon known as the Coriolis effect. This pseudo
force causes winds and currents to deflect to the right in the northern hemisphere and to the left in the southern hemisphere (when facing north in both cases). It is not a true force but results from the fact that any point on a longitudinal line of the globe rotates at a different relative speed than another point on the same line in the same hemisphere. This rate is determined by the point's location on or between the equator and the north or south poles. A point at the equator rotates faster than one at the 45th parallel. An example of the Coriolis effect in the northern hemisphere is the Gulf Stream. This current exits the Gulf of Mexico, loops around the southern tip of Florida, then follows the eastern coast of the United States up to Maine, before crossing the North Atlantic towards England and looping south near Spain and Africa. This has a significant impact on coastal Maine and, notably, on the United Kingdom.
