Down East
"Down East", also "Downeast", is a term referring to parts of eastern coastal New England and Canada, particularly the U.S. state of Maine and Canada's Maritime Provinces. The phrase apparently derives from sailing terminology: sailors from western ports sailed downwind toward the east to reach the area. The area referred to closely corresponds to the historical French territory of Acadia. Within Maine, the phrase may refer specifically to the easternmost regions, also called Down East Maine. A person from the area may be called a down-easter.
Etymology
The origin of the phrase "Down East" is typically traced to nautical terminology referring to direction, rather than location. In the warm months most suitable for sailing, the prevailing winds along the coast of New England and Canada blow from the southwest, meaning ships sail downwind to go east. As such, the northeastern stretches were said to be "Down East" in relation to the major western cities such as Boston. Correspondingly, sailors spoke of going "up to Boston" from these ports, a phrase still common in Maine, despite the fact that Boston is around fifty miles to the south of Maine. The term can be used as an adverb, adjective or noun. The Oxford English Dictionary traces the earliest known use in print to 1825. The phrase "down-easter", meaning a person from "Down East", appeared in print in 1828.