Utica has its own regional accent. It kind of sounds like a Brooklynite with extra big adenoids. However, if you were to ask any native they would deny it categorically. I have, and they do. What I find interesting is that the men and the women of this particular tribe have different ways of speaking, which I will try to catalog here.
Not for nothin' but....
Used mostly by males. An aggressively stated phrase disguised as a deferential start to a sentence. Yes, aggressive and deferential. It's an art. Like ignorant and belligerent. Used to emphasize the importance and truth of whatever follows, usually the speakers thoughts/opinions on a hotly debated subject. "Not for nothin', but the riggies at dat place are not as good as they used ta be."
Whadda ya gonna do?
A pessimistic acceptance of the inevitable. Usually said with an expressive and elaborate shrug. "My cousin just got sent up for writin bad checks to pay his gamblin debts, eh, whadda ya gonna do?"
