The Universal Language of “Go Birds”

Go Birds”
- Literally anyone in Philadelphia right now, probably

Photo by Casey Murphy on Unsplash

I would like to preface this whole piece by stating right now, unequivocally, I do not like the Eagles, or really Philadelphia sports at all. I don’t have any specific issue with Philadelphia as a city, but the general animosity I feel towards Philly sports fans and their … passionate reputation tends to color the city as a whole for me. I imagine it’s 100 times worse for people when they think about New England sports fans. Of which I am one.

And yet, somehow, “Go Birds” has snuck into my lexicon, becoming as natural as saying “good morning” or “take care” to the proper person. Sometimes I’ll even throw it out there when I just suspect someone might be from Philly. Nine times out of ten, their face lights up and they hit me back with an earnest, enthusiastic “Go Birds!” of their own.

It’s fascinating, then, how language and colloquialisms can evolve beyond their original meaning. “Go Birds” isn’t just a rally cry for a football team — it’s a Philadelphia love language. It’s a way of saying “I see you, I acknowledge you, we’re in this together.” In a city known for its hardened exterior, these two words serve as a handshake of solidarity, a gentle reminder that beneath the tough facade beats a heart of gold.

So how did I start saying it? Honestly, I’m not really sure. Maybe it started with some of my dearest friends who are Philadelphians, for whom saying “Go Birds” is just like breathing. I’ll say it simply to tee them up to say their favorite catchphrase. It also may be that I saw a guy in a Philly sweatshirt once at the airport and I said “Go Birds” more as a joke than anything else, and the way that man’s entire day lit up on his face made me think “that’s a joy, I’m going to do that again.”

That’s truly where the phrase lives now, for me. I’ve seen how much joy it brings people to genuinely love saying “Go Birds,” and giving them that moment has become my way of saying, “hey, this one’s for you. Go nuts.” Go Birds, even. Which, the more I think about it, especially with those whom I’m close with is my way of saying to them, “Hey. I love you.”

Now if you think that’s a stretch, I’d invite you to think of the ways we tell people we love them all the time. Just a few…