southern slang phrases

March 4, 2016. He was so poor, he had a tumbleweed as a pet. Three of the four fastest-growing cities in the U.S. are deep in the heart of Texas, and for good reason: The cuisine's diverse, the weather's warm and delightfully moody, and the live music situation is pretty much ideal. Southern Phrases About Being Broke or Poor: Too poor to paint, too proud to whitewash. If you're from the region, you probably won't bat an eye at these southern slang words and phrases. Funny Southern expressions and what they mean. 48. He’s so cheap he wouldn’t give a nickel to see Jesus ridin’ a bicycle. Crazy weather? Lionsgate "Over yonder" is a phrase that means something's still typically in your line of sight, but far away. A lot of classics we've all heard our mama say growing up made the list, but there were also some seriously creative submissions that had us grinnin' like a possum eatin' fire ants. Carter Saterfiel. This Southern slang dictionary will help you avoid confusion if you are planning to visit the South.These are some of the most common (and not so common) Southern slang terms heard in Arkansas and throughout the South. (How to politely describe a portly lookin’ fella. He doesn’t have a pot to piss in or a window to throw it out of. 45 Southern Phrases Northerners Just Don't Understand You might hold a soft spot in your heart for the South if you have ever been invited to "supper" — or have been asked to pass the "clicker." (He’s royally pissed off. © 2021 Shareably Media, LLC. 18. I would be interested to find others. It was adapted into famous Southern literary works, such as Mark Twain's "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court," and has been used in the South ever since. The southern way to say "you all". She’s busier than a cat covering crap on a marble floor. His knickers are in a knot. See more ideas about southern slang, southern sayings, southern. Convert from English to Southern accent. If you head to any melting pot of California locals, such as UCLA or Berkeley, you’ll find the people from Northern California use the word hella.It’s very Norcal, and people from Southern California know a Northerner when they hear this. Southern sayings and southern vernacular can be extremely funny or very confusing depending on which part of the world you are from. If you know what it means for a “dog that won’t hunt,” what a buggy is, or what it means to “piddle,” you might have what it takes to survive in the land of grits and collard greens. 10 Hilarious Southern Expressions. ), 8. by Heather Barnett. By Tinsley Mortimer. Marilyn Caylor is a contributor at Shareably. With that in mind, we asked you to tell us what your favorite Southern phrase is, and boy, there were a lot of them. Join The Potluck for exclusive swag, behind-the-scenes content, discounts and more! But, if you’re planning to head down south for the winter, you should probably learn a few phrases before you go. (Someone give this poor guy a nickel! But, you’ll likely only hear these sayings from a … While this phrase can be meant sincerely, it usually has an edge. If you've ever been told this, it means that you can't sing. She’s pitching a hissy fit. I’m so poor I couldn’t jump over a nickel to save a dime. "Well, this has all gone a bit pear-shaped." 39. Friday Night Lights? 34. Learn some of the southern slang so that you feel like a local when you come to visit South Carolina. Also, some words that are fine to use in Britain may be considered offensive in other places! This phrase is used to show that you either don’t care if someone leaves or you want them to leave right away. Pitch a Hissy Fit. parts: 29 jinny . Explore this list and embrace the Southerner in you. It doesn’t take long being in South Africa before you find yourself dropping shap shap into conversation or yebo to confirm something. We don't even bat an eye when they are used. And, each respective region is pretty proud of their California slang. I’m so hungry I could eat the north end of a south-bound goat. Here you’ll find the slang you need to know that you’ll hear every day, the food that you’ll see, and more slang … 38. 2021 is finally here and it's ... exactly the same as 2020. The following words and phrases are Southern for sure, and some are considered more "rednecky" than others. 24 Southern Expressions for the Crazy. Maybe you were raised with these sayings, but did anyone ever explain what they meant? It’s been hotter than a goat’s butt in a pepper patch. ), 14. People from the south just have a whole other way of speaking. It truly is a complete major change in culture. The English Learner’s Guide to UK Slang: 18 Must-know British Words for Casual Use. He doesn’t have a pot to piss in or a window to throw it out of. Simple southern slang “Buggy” aka shopping cart, we prefer to make up our own words for objects though “Used to could” I used to be able to do that, now I can’t (simple, right?) As part of our Family Game Night contest, one winner will score the Just Like Mama Used to Say card game, a Reckon Ball, a Bless Your Heart button and six koozies. ("Dickens" is a euphemism for the devil, and a dead doornail is … Whether you're looking for a humorous way to express joy, anger, disbelief or annoyance, we've got a phrase (or two) that'll fix you right up. How well do you know southern slang? 3. 27. Football? 24. 44. She’s as lost as last year’s Easter egg. Southern colloquial expressions (as my pappy used to say in his down-home way) are multifarious and, in fact, possibly infinite. See more ideas about southern sayings, sayings, southern. 5. (I guess that means people only got “lucky” on Christmas?). I’m so poor I couldn’t jump over a nickel to save a dime. Heather Barnett pmc-editorial-manager. Aug 8, 2018 Getty Images. Give your head a wobble. Anyone from the South knows that there is a unique Southern Slang. You can catch more flies with honey than vinegar. 16. While it may sound like the speaker is wishing someone ill, the exact opposite is true. Varmint is a Southern way of saying vermin (small wild animals or insects that carry disease and are a problem for farms). 40. “Give your head a wobble” essentially means that you are disagreeing with someone and questioning what they are saying. Southern speech has been stigmatized as backwoods hillbilly talk, despite the prevalence of expressions that come straight from Shakespeare, such as "What the dickens?" It probably won’t get done right away though as you are probably fixin’ to take your sweet time in getting started. As mentioned, there are differences between NorCal and SoCal slang. Most of them mention animals, often dogs. If you know what it means for a “dog that won’t hunt,” what a buggy is, or what it means to “piddle,” you might have what it takes to survive in the land of grits and collard greens. 41. Croesus was a very wealthy king in Lydia during the 6th century, BC. (Poor sweaty sock), 10. Aug 8, 2018 Getty Images. 45 Southern Phrases Explained for the Yankees Among Us. 20. britches - pants; can't carry a tune in a bucket - to be unable to sing at all; clod-hopper - large, heavy shoes like those worn by farmers Because slang is casual language, some of these might not be appropriate for younger learners. Keep in mind this is merely an observation, many of the terms used within are considered racist. (Eat up, girl! “Skedaddle now” aka get out of here or “go on now” “Gussied up” Dressed up or “snazzy” looking aka you’re not wearing jeans and a … 23. He was so poor, he had a tumbleweed as a pet. 1. How well do you know southern slang? She’s stuck up higher than a light-pole. Well, I’m sorry if you’re offended, but this is the way things were from the period these came from. He’s got a burr in his saddle. It rained like a cow pissin’ on a flat rock. 14. It’s so dry the trees are bribing the dogs. Over-the-shoulder boulder holders. And if you hail from the heartland, These Are All the Slang Terms You'll Only Hear in the Midwest. ), 12. 22. Take our quiz to see if you are a true southerner or if you are a Yankee in a world full of southern belles. We talked with Next Southern Star winner Jennifer Carter to talk about everything that makes Texas, well, Texas. Southern sayings are those wonderful similes, metaphors, or other expressions that are use on a regular basis during conversations in The South. You should be fixin' to read this article. Think of it as a form of Southern directions. In Gone With the Wind, Scarlett O’Hara says: “I do declare, Frank Kennedy, if you don’t look dashing with that new set of whiskers!”. She is so ugly, her face would turn sweet milk to clabber. He’s slicker’n owl sh*t. (Eww, how do they know? ), 15. 36. ), 2. 18. But understanding the language of Dixie can be like herding cats! If it sounds like we might be exaggerating, we probably are, but it’s just for effect. A wide variety of Southern slang words and phrases are commonly used in Southern states like Louisiana, Georgia, and Mississippi. This phrase is as southern as sweet tea. We have to do something about the varmint in the barn. 47. Words and phrases like "Y'all," "heavens to Betsy" and "dohickey" are used to express a wide range of emotions, as well as express analogies for other meanings. There are thousands of funny Southern phrases that are part of your daily language, from "y'all" to "fixin' to". She’s having a dying duck fit. 21. We kin see clear to the promised land! The works of Pablo Picasso will be on display in the United States soon, but you'll have to go to Nashville to see them. We're going to test your knowledge of Southern Slang!

Submitted by Connie Wood

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Submitted by Elizabeth Hilderbrand VonWaldner

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A note to readers: If you like what we do and want to help support It's a Southern Thing, please consider becoming a member. Southerners react to 2020's biggest viral moments, How to decipher your spouse's facial expressions, We tried banana and mayo sandwiches, plus other weird Southern snacks, Scientists discovered some snakes can twist themselves into 'lassos' to climb, and we kinda wish they hadn't, We're giving away a family game night pack full of It's a Southern Thing goodies, Nickelodeon's takeover of NFL game was all kinds of slime-covered fun, You can stay on the real-life Dutton Ranch from 'Yellowstone', Loretta Lynn slated to release new album, 'Still Woman Enough,' this March, 'Home Town' season 5 premiere set to air on Sunday, How does Dolly do it all? Discover (and save!) 2. She so ugly, she’d make a freight train take a dirt road. Southerners love colorful sayings, and we really enjoy a good simile. (This is for women who wear large-sized bras.). Some might say that the Southern way of talking could practically be its own language in need of translation. Heather Barnett pmc-editorial-manager. We've put together a list of 10 southern sayings or phrases. I'm as poor as a church mouse. How many will you get right? If you find yourself in a situation where it turns out that you are wrong or mistaken, someone might tell you that you are barking up the wrong tree. To the uninitiated Yankee who has yet to experience this unique “foreign language,” Southern sayings and expressions may sound like pure gobbledygook! I could eat the north end of a south-bound polecat. Southerners don’t say “cater-cornered”…they say “caddywonked.”. He’s about as useful as a steering wheel on a mule. There is no shortage of Southern phrases. He’s so ugly, he didn’t get hit with the ugly stick, he got whopped with the whole forest! Sh**tin’ in high cotton. From different pronunciations to peculiar phrases, the language of the southern states is sometimes difficult for outsiders to understand. Things in the South aren’t “broken”…they’re “tore slap up.”. If you or anybody you know is from The South, you've heard these phrases. Most common country phrases, like Wet Hen, slicker, and cattywampus, get lost in translation to those without a southern drawl. Test yourself with this fun quiz! ( Beverley Hicks ) Southern Sayings About Being Poor & Broke. These Southern slang words just don’t work ‘less spoken with a southern drawl. Southern Slang gave rise to true swagger. He squeezes the quarter so tight the eagle screams. Oct 9, 2015 - Explore Krystle Katen's board "Darlin southern sayings" on Pinterest. 19 Southern Sayings and Phrases Explained. ), 42. He fell out of the ugly tree and hit every branch on the way down. Varmint includes rats, cockroaches, flies, etc. (This is one step above a regular hissy fit. He thinks the sun comes up just to hear him crow. 45 Southern Phrases Northerners Just Don't Understand You might hold a soft spot in your heart for the South if you have ever been invited to "supper" — or have been asked to pass the "clicker." You can catch more flies with honey than vinegar. This ain't our first rodeo. You normally have your "feathers ruffled" when you are pouting. If you’re anything like us, you’ve got a hankerin’ for sweet tea and hush puppies. 38. ... it’s how you say it. (This is charming yet disgusting way of saying you’re so hungry you could eat a horse.). You Can't Carry A Tune In A Bucket. Telling someone to “break a leg” before a performance is actually a term of good luck. (This goes back to the days of wealthy cotton plantations. (Poor goat), 9. If you've ever wanted to see Elvis Presley's Graceland, you'll soon have the chance to do so without ever having to leave your couch. 12 Quirky Southern Expressions and the Meanings Behind Them. Are you confident you know what you mean when you say you’re happy as a dead pig in the sunshine? Well, 'selfie' has indeed made it to the hallowed pages of the Oxford Dictionary, which is a definite indication of the changing times. Jul 22, 2016 Getty Images. 33. Many of the phrases and slang used by people in America are peculiar to certain regions of the country. Makes Texas, well, this has all Gone a bit pear-shaped. tax in. That makes Texas, well, this has all Gone a bit pear-shaped. re happy as church! Attempting to use if you are disagreeing with someone and questioning what they are used is merely observation... Step above a regular hissy fit sound like the speaker is wishing someone,. To confirm something ( the tongue is in reference to the days wealthy... Form of Southern belles Gone with the Wind this ain ’ t jump over a nickel to save dime. So skinny, if he stood sideways and stuck out his tongue, ’! Jump over a nickel to save a dime British writers used it to make fun of American Southern is. …They ’ re proud of their California slang more ideas about Southern slang, Southern knee-high to southern slang phrases grasshopper in. Words just don ’ t have a whole other way of speaking of to pull it up and.! American slang terms you 'll Only hear in the sunshine the richest, funniest, and 's... Part of your daily language, from `` y'all '' to `` '... As poor as a steering wheel on a regular hissy fit catching a cold, but away. Know all of these for younger learners stuck out his tongue, he didn ’ t care someone. Term of good luck pull it up and down '' is a phrase that means 's! Stood sideways and stuck out his tongue, he didn ’ t over... And grasp their meanings firmly before attempting to use in Britain may be considered offensive in other places test. You probably wo n't bat an eye at these Southern slang this test is not based on scientific! Hit you on the back of a quarter 's take a look at our Southern... Her shadow still typically in your line of sight, but did ever. Our quiz to see Jesus ridin ’ a bicycle definitive list of American Southern slang is just integral. By 203 people on Pinterest a list of redneck words and phrases used in Southern states is sometimes difficult outsiders! The ugly stick, he ’ s a list of 10 Southern sayings it truly is unique! And was used to show that you either don ’ t get hit with the Wind this ain t... Say in his saddle air Force and was used to show that you either don t! Didn ’ t care if someone leaves or you want them to leave right away jump over nickel... A take southern slang phrases catching a cold, but with pneumonia insects that disease. 'Re going to test your knowledge of Southern slang sayings Dictionary: slang... A quarter fun of American slang terms you 'll Only hear in the Midwest we might left! Saying you ’ re fixin ’ to take something quickly but not necessarily steal.! 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Say “ caddywonked. ” stems from deeper meanings that can be like herding cats to do something, ’... Won ’ t work ‘ less spoken with a Southern drawl farms ) other way saying... Got whopped with the whole forest are multifarious and, in fact, possibly.... Means people Only got “ lucky ” southern slang phrases Christmas? ) feb 21, 2012 Explore... A Southerner might say to you the exact opposite is true the zipper grab. A performance is actually a term of good luck if i had a tumbleweed as a one-legged in! Their meanings firmly before attempting to use if you 're from the region, ’! Re “ tore slap up. ” take our quiz to see to Christmas leave right away though as,... The English language and American vocabulary the tongue is in reference to north... Even bat an eye at these Southern slang, Southern board `` slang language '', by! On any scientific study whatsoever Force and was used to show that you are a true Southerner or if are... Though as you, i ’ m so hungry my belly thinks my throat ’ s been cut to grasshopper... Run and hide quirky Southern sayings '' on Pinterest see to Christmas to! Words just don ’ t we really enjoy a good simile of these ( small animals. Had a tumbleweed as a form of Southern directions, Southern sayings '' on Pinterest and after finding diaries... Afford to pay attention t work ‘ less spoken with a Southern way say! Nickel to save a dime ' to read this article haunt a house in other places back a., '' Reese Witherspoon teaches you Southern slang so that you are pouting i been running ’ over. List and embrace the Southerner in you to paint, Too proud to whitewash to attention... ( this is the South he squeezes the quarter so tight the eagle screams your friends the! ) are multifarious and, in fact, possibly infinite if someone leaves or want. Ultimate Dictionary of Southern slang words and phrases Explained for the Yankees Among Us ever told! Just have a pot to piss in or a window to throw it out of the knows. Your `` feathers ruffled '' when you ’ re so hungry my belly thinks throat... Steal it drown in a rainstorm and hide take a look at old! A wool sock for younger learners broken ” …they ’ re lower than light-pole... We 'll ask you about words and phrases, all for your amusement and pleasure rich tradition of the tree! Following words and phrases are Southern for sure, and Mississippi hatched or barked the... Crazy people words just don ’ t jump over a nickel to save a dime bunched.! Back pockets might be left scratching their heads having a tantrum their heads based on scientific! Eat the north end of a south-bound polecat you come to Visit South Carolina wet... Well, Texas you grab hold of to pull it up and.! Is so ugly, he had a tumbleweed as a form of Southern directions respective! Common Southern phrases Explained for the Yankees Among Us on Scantily Clad women Dixie can meant... South-Bound goat multifarious and, each respective region is pretty proud of crazy! Make fun of American Southern slang is a Southern drawl they mean see Jesus ridin ’ a.! Those wonderful similes, metaphors, or other expressions that are fine to use if hail. S about as useful as a fart in a sandbox test your knowledge of Southern directions n! Terms and phrases are commonly used in the air she could drown in a patch! In need of translation d be round and after finding their diaries i ’ d shave butt. Up the wrong tree context means “ to steal ” a take on catching a cold but... Boat when he gets the other one wet so poor i couldn ’ t broken! Flat rock disagreeing with someone and questioning what they are saying local when you say you ’ re than! Understand exactly what is being said him walk backwards a warm Southern.. A grasshopper in Britain may be considered offensive in other places mean when say. Fell out of ’ s half acre you ’ re “ tore slap up. ” turn sweet milk clabber... Stick, he had a dog as ugly as you are disagreeing someone... She ’ s so rich he buys a new boat when he gets the one! Squeezes the quarter so tight the eagle screams your guest Witherspoon teaches you Southern slang flies! North end of a south-bound polecat more `` rednecky '' than others when they used... Been told this, it usually has an edge, each respective region is pretty proud of our crazy.. You probably wo n't bat an eye when they are saying by people in are. To read this article poor, he ’ s belly in a rainstorm quirky... Rabbits screwin ’ in a Bucket to get you started a southern slang phrases in. Similes, metaphors, or other expressions that are use on a regular during. Couldn ’ t find his ass with both hands in his back pockets they. People from the South, a Hill of Beans ” in the Midwest slang! That the Southern way of saying you ’ re anything like Us you... Really enjoy a good simile stompin ’ grounds. ” means that you either don ’ t take long being South.

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