Where Do You Draw the Line?

You know that state just across the river? The one you sometimes go to for concerts, or to visit Cape May or Sea Isle City in the summer? Well, it seems that New Jersey is having a bit of inner turmoil. Yes, you heard it right. New Jersey is debating over the dividing line between North Jersey and South Jersey, and which region is better. Kind of like the New York/Philly debate, but nastier.

Filmmaker Steve Chernoski from Hoboken (that’s North Jersey, by the way) has a documentary in the works to help answer that very question. Cheronski and their film crew have hit every county in the Jerz’ over the last year interviewing ordinary New Jersey-ans, students, and politicians to find the answer.

They found that some say the dividing line is Trenton, Princeton, or the northernmost Wawa. Others base it on the Eagles or the Giants. Whatever you think, it seems that being wedged between two major cities—New York and Philadelphia—makes it hard to draw the line between North and South Jersey. There are different sports teams, news anchors (but no Alycia Lane in either), and different accents. Has anyone ever made fun of you for the way you say phone and home? You can thank your South Jersey/Philly roots for that long “O” sound.

In addition to the documentary, Cheroski is also working on a book and currently has a popular blog where he posts film clips and other tidbits from his documentary. So, what’s Cheroski’s answer to the dividing line? Of course, he’s making us wait to see the documentary to get the answer. It's scheduled in be in theaters this fall.

We at Phillyist think the dividing line is Trenton. And obviously, we always order jimmies on our sundaes, root for the Eagles, and don’t even think about saying sub; it’s hoagie. More specifically, hewgie.

Photo Credit: Barbara L. Slavin