7 SOUTHERN SAYINGS YOU'VE NEVER UTTERED

May 8, 2014

It's safe to say that southern culture is an American subculture in itself. We have our own past times (watermelon seed spittin' contest) and our own jokes ("You might be a redneck if..."), but we also have our own phrases. These are called for when specific things occur and here they are without further adieu.

"THIS IS SLAP YO' MAMA GOOD" 
Now, I would never promote violence, especially violence against mothers, but when yo' mama cooks up something so good, you can't help but slap her? Well, then its a compliment. It is reserved for homemade foods such as country fried steak, peach cobbler, and cornbread, but really any southern dish will do.
"HOTTER THAN CRAP" 
This is another fun phrase that implies the weather being warmer than "poo". Down here in the south the humidity is just wretched. If you're not careful, you could literally melt away like a dog's hearty morning poo. When this happens, the above statement is slurred and well, its serious.
"BLESS YOUR HEART" 
This phrase is rather common and well-known, but it can mean several different things.
1. You're an idiot.
2. You're a fool.
3. Honey, I feel sorry for you.
4. I don't care, but I am going to pretend I do.
It's diverse. It's well-meaning. It's southern.
"MY HAIR WON'T DO NOTHIN'" 
Double negatives are daily part of the southerner's repertoire. To really send the point home you have to say things like, "won't do nothin'", "can't see nothin'", and "don't do anything'". If you can't say it twice negative, don't say it all. 
"PRETTY AS A PEACH" 
Peaches are delectable and they are also the signature trade of Georgia. If someone is as pretty as a peach, that's a compliment. It means you are pretty, attractive, favored.
"I USED TO COULD" 
This phrase implies that a person once could do something, but no longer can. Rather than saying, "I used to be able to hoe my yard all day long" it is said, "I used to could hoe my yard all day long". They could and now they can't, so they used to could. Simple.
"HEY, THROW ME THE CLICKER!" 
The clicker in the south may also be known to the common man as the remote. We down here like to say clicker because that's what it does...It clicks to different channels.

These phrases might not have graced your lips, but give 'em a shot! You may surprise yourself. See y'all later, ya hear?

+Linking up with Lovely Thursdays!

image:created by Melissa Faye  

19 comments:

  1. Lol, the "Bless your heart" description is so true! And "I used to could." I've used that more than I'd like to admit lol

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  2. I'm blushing at the thought that I've used most of them at some point in life! :)

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  3. I think I just heard someone say "throw me the clicker" in my house.

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  4. Child Please I've said them all! Georgia girl right here!

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  5. Okay this made me lol. Also, "please pass the gravy". ;)

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  6. Hilarious. "Look at you"... similar to "bless your heart"

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  7. I love these! I also love it when people call shopping carts "buggies."

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  8. Your blog is to cute and I have said a few of these more times than I care to admit

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  9. Love. LOL I have heard all of these and said a few myself...especially Bless Your Heart... not always a good thing to hear in the South - you really have to listen to the tone used when it's said :D So great!

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  10. Bless your heart is my favorite! Love this list.

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  11. Pretty sure I've said all of the above many times! haha Great list!

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  12. I've said them while wearing my pearls. Because as you know, a southern woman absolutely must be wearing her pearls.

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  13. I live in Georgia and have most certainly heard most of these at some point since I've lived here! Great post!

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  14. Some of my favorite southern-isms are "might could," "fuller than a tick," and "madder than a hornet." :)

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  15. I can proudly say I've said these, hahah! Love being from the South!! Proud Southern girl right here! :)

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  16. This list is awesome!! lol My grandparents are from down south, so every now and then they'll say things that I ask about later such as hiccamado, which is the equivalent of whatchamacalit... phahhaa but I've definitely said "Bless your heart"!!!

    Linking up from Lovely Thursday: The Link-Up!

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  17. I love this list and your explanations. I also love the extra phrases commenters have given. Here's my extra phrase: I might would.... I use this all the time. :)

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