The food is delicious and always fried, and they have the best tea, or sweet tea, in the country. Mid-interview he clearly has had enough. Once they've talked to the point of physical exhaustion, this is how the phone call ends, Alright girl, well I just got home. Your ears mustve been burnin. Example: Youre a ragamuffin today. Here are 11 things you should never say to someone from the South. Well only get milk and tea. It was colder than a witch's tit in a brass bra. I cant believe youre home! Those pants were so tight I could see her religion. Example: Im so happy you two got along the first day you met. You can camp near the beach at private campgrounds or one of the four campgrounds on the National Seashore. or "Oh my lands!" Example: Hello, little miss priss. For example, "She takes such good care of her elderly momma and daddy, bless her heart." Every corner of this country has its own regional flare and cultural sayings, but none are as distinct, historically rich, and gosh darn amusing as the ones from The South. When a Southerner says, "She's ugly" or "that's ugly" they are not talking about someone's. Meaning: (Exclamation) The exclamation up and at em is a term used when a person is telling another to get up and start working. Poor boy! The term then was used when there is something odd or unfamiliar in the community. We chose 15 of the most ridiculous Southern sayings and tried to explain them. "), "Over-the-shoulder boulder holders." Example: You shouldnt be acting like youre madder than a wet hen in public. We admit that we've heard this Southernism more than once. That man is talking with his tongue out of his shoe. It was also once used to warn against saying the devil's name for fear he would appear. Example: No more hissy fit in the mall today. Colorful Southern Expressions About Liars. If you hear this one, you should probably pause a moment. This occurs when someone feels too comfortable with you and has taken your demeanor as an indicator that anything can be said or done. When you're in the South, "over yonder" is a distant directionany direction. So out of defiance, I wait until that little fuel gauge is right below the empty line, and then Im going use the 15 miles of gas in the reserve tank. Question: Is there a southern way to say Merry Christmas? Photo: H. 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So, no matter what rung of the socioeconomic ladder you fall under, this mentality of trying to make whatever you get stretch to something much more, remains. Meaning: (Noun) Sug is short for sugar and is used as a term of endearment in South Carolina. Example: Stop explaining and dont hold water. Don't pee down my back and tell me it's raining. Ive heard the expression 100 times but not sure if lart is the right word or if Ive been misunderstanding. Meaning: (Expression) Mind your Ps and Qs is often used to remind a person about his or her manners. His brain rattles around like a BB in a boxcar. It's true, we do have a mouthful of sayings that only Southerners understand. He hasn't got the sense God gave a goose. Also: Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Any idea? Do you have McDonald's money is the first-ballot Hall of Fame, Stephen Curry unanimous MVP, GOAT, Michael Jordan of black phrases. It happened faster than a knife fight in a phone booth. ", "Those pants were so tight I could see her religion. Who doesnt love the countryside, anyway? I'll slap you to sleep, then slap you for sleeping. Meaning: (Phrase) Barking up the wrong tree is a term used when you are talking to the wrong person. A phrase used to show appreciation to someone who brings you a glass of sweet tea (or does something nice in general) or as a sympathetic phrase to let you know that the person understands the difficult time you are going through. There are plenty of names for crawfish, but Southerners prefer crawdad. I wish I could go over yonder. I feel like I've been chewed up and spit out. Example: Who knows whatll happen to your gizzards when you drink like theres no tomorrow? And really, wouldn't we all druther have our druthers? He don't know s**t from shinola. Question: What does it mean when someone says "You're sexier than socks on a rooster"? Whatever it is, it is not quite up to par. If you've just had a big Southern lunch, complete with cornbread, collard greens, and pecan pie, you're definitely full as a tick. We kin see clear to the promised land! If you don't stop that crying, I'll give you something to cry about! Collaboration is one thing. Hes so young. Meaning: (Phrase) The Southern words take your own sweet time means to not rush when doing something. Example: Wow, you are hotter than hell, arent ya? That nonsense came out of a pigs lips! 1. Hes happier than a dead pig in the sunshine. For example, us millennials aren't having enough kids to keep the Unites States population at its "replacement level". You are slow as molasses! Please move faster. Meaning: (Exclamation) The term Supper time! is used when dinner is ready and its time to call the members of the family to eat. Also, your parent calling your friends "little" is not in regard to stature, they could all be over six feet tall. You're working too hard to convince people who are already on board. Generally, I have not heard comments about men's pants at all. 1.phrase used by Southern women to excuse themselves for speaking ill of someone else. Maybe you've heard that "still waters run deep." This is one of the most confusing sayings ever. Well be home on Saturday night. Happier than ol' Blue layin' on the porch chewin' on a big ol' catfish head. We have inherited their styles, their heirlooms, and more than a few of their favorite sayings as well. It's always been a rhetorical question, but I imagine someone with a quick wit could come up with a funny, sarcastic answer. Black parents will read you to the heavens and make you reevaluate your entire life. We believe in call and response, highly interactive communication styles. The expression is used when one is speaking about a person who is absent and then suddenly shows up. Your face is gonna freeze like that. Unlike the United States Postal Service, whose motto proclaims "Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night" will keep them from their routes, sometimes a Southern visit is thwarted by a rising creek or other unexpected bump in the road. Question: Is there a saying for that pleasant time around dusk when the temperature cools off in a few minutes, in a pleasant way? Whether you're talking about volume or value, a hill of beans isn't worth much. Get the short end of the stick. 4. "Whose Mans" is the first thing asked on Black Twitter when one of our own celebrities is "doing too much". Example: Goodness gracious! Answer: Yuns is a shortened version of "you ones", similar to "you all". Also try Black & Urban Slang Quiz. All Rights Reserved. Some even helped us to stay out of trouble. (have only half the facts) Go to bed with the chickens. Meaning: (Phrase) Plumb tuckered out is used when a person is dead-tired because of physical exertion. (in bed early) Go whole hog. Example: Wow, Im jealous of where youve been! Unarguable Southern criticism. Youve grown a few inches! It can also be used if the speaker believes the recipient needs to grow up and deal with it, when the speaker says it in a sarcastic tone. If you can't run with the big dogs, stay under the porch. After a mouthful of expletives and reminders that you live in her house and are lucky to be there, she will finish it off with "I don't know who you think you are taking to, because I am not one of your little friends". As a common Northerner (I moved to The South from the Pacific Northwest), it was quite an eye opener the first time I heard most of the people around me talking in the familiar Southern accent and downright confusing the first time I heard someone say, "I might could"! Suicide Note Revealed After Shocking Death. Good fortune comes to everyone eventually. Grinnin' like a possum eatin' a sweet tater. Watch Matthew McConaughey School Hugh Grant and Charlie Hunnam in Southern Slang, 135 Best Dad Jokes That Are Actually Funny, 20 Things Southerners Love To Say About The Weather, If You Know These Sayings, You Definitely Grew Up in the South, The Difference Between Being Done And Being Finished, Things Mama Whispers During A Southern Funeral, 30 Fishing Quotes That'll Make You Want to Get on the Water, 38 Southern Chicken Names For Your Favorite Bird. ), Or this one: "His heart is a thumpin' gizzard." Forget corporal punishment, although they are good at that too. It can also be the opening to striking a bargain, sharing a strongly held opinion, or offering a piece of advice you may or may not want to hear. The dogs would then sit and bark at the base of the tree, waiting for their masters. Leah Hall is currently a digital producer and writer for Country Living. Example: Arent you a precious little girl? I'm gonna fetch me the most fetching filly I can find. Example: Heavens to Betsy! He's so highfalutin' he thinks his sh*t tastes like sherbert. HIs britches are so tight they make his legs look like hot dogs. Dont be lying like a dog on a rug. (Translation: He's cold-hearted and cruel.). HubPages is a registered trademark of The Arena Platform, Inc. Other product and company names shown may be trademarks of their respective owners. See our privacy policy. Meaning: (Phrase) The term cute as a button is used for a person, mostly a child, who is small and adorable. He was so poor, he had a tumbleweed as a pet. Because that same person riding in your car typically offers zero to marginally small contributions towards the gas tank they're commenting on. Therefore, people, mostly children, use I suwanne! to emphasize that he or she is telling the truth. You're gonna have old and new-monia dressed like that! But we've just realizedthey've passed down their vocabularies too. Meaning: (Exclamation) Well, Ill be is an expression used when a person is surprised. This phrase isn't about physical appearance. Ive said it so often to my grand nieces as they were growing up, this expression is now used by the girls. Perhaps they are used to conversing with people who allow this type of behavior. When you've met the girl of your dreams, chances are she is "pretty as a peach." You have to admit, this silly imagery definitely gets the point across! Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. (As we Yankees say, "These people don't know which way is up. ". And if y'all have any more fine Southern sayings, well, bless yer pea pickin' hearts, just let 'er rip, tater chip, and jot them down in the comments section below. It is used to describe the human anatomy like the heart. Black parents rarely acquiesce to the non-life sustaining requests of their children. Example: I cant believe you couldnt find your phone. "What do you know?" You are too scared to repeat yourself. Hes so cheap he wouldnt give a nickel to see Jesus ridin a bicycle. Blessed and highly favored a positive affirmative that black folks use to say that they have been blessed throughout life. And we're beginning to understand what a treasure that truly is. (I don't know what a "haint" is, but apparently a scalded one can run really fast!). And if worse comes to worse and I run out of gas(which I have, right where the I-10W & 405 meet in West LA, aka Hell on Earth), I have roadside assistance. Or opaque. She has her nose so high in the air she could drown in a rainstorm. You cant tell me how to live my life if you arent going to contribute to my success. While their images and colloquialisms tickle the funny bone, Southern expressions usually convey exactly what the speaker intended. Shelby Slauer and Frank Olito. Travel anywhere below the Mason-Dixon Line and you're bound to hear a friendly "Y'all," a cheeky "Bless Your Heart," or any of these other classic Southern sayings. Meaning: Closer than East Jesus, yet farther than yonder. Example: My ears hurt because he cant carry a tune in a bucket with the lid on it. Scottish people may have a bleak outlook on life, but their jokes are funny and their sayings are even funnier. I'm burning slap up. 5. My house is finally finished. Bless your heart. It's like a steam bath out here. Means: Take the wrong approach or waste your efforts Real meaning: This is an old saying that originates in America and refers to hunting dogs in the early 19 th century. This phrase is attributed to Benjamin Franklin. Don't piss on my leg and tell me it's rainin'! If you grew up in the church this one will ring so many bells. You better know that schoolwork the same way you knowthem songs- It was your mom or grandmas way of saying to keep studying your schoolwork the same way you would memorize a song, albeit it in a much stricter tone. Southerners tell it like it isno matter what it isso think of this as a learning moment. I reckon you still want to go with them? What you did is out of the question! Example: Hes always plumb tuckered out, come Saturday mornings, so we cant do anything during summer afternoons. Come down here with clean hands, okay? Example: Lord willin and the creek dont rise, Ill be there to support you! This phrase is attributed to Benjamin Franklin. However, if you're from the South, you know that sometimes there's just no other way to get your point across. He wont stop! Putting five dollars on gas was suitable in the 90s when goods and services cost less, the economy was booming, and our wages werent stagnant. I'll knock you into the middle of next week looking both ways for Sunday! Whether youre out and about amongst friends or getting a bit of scolding from mom, Black folks are known for shouting, yelling, and saying some of the best proverbs, slang, and terms of endearment known to man and some of those famous sayings taught us how to navigate throughout life. He or she is telling the truth black southern sayings Closer than East Jesus, yet than! A dog on a rug usually convey exactly what the speaker intended summer afternoons the.... ' on a rooster '' Beauty is in the eye of the family eat! To understand what a `` haint '' is, it is, their... `` doing too much '' I reckon you still want to Go with?... Think of this as a term used when you are hotter than hell, arent ya a treasure that is! We have inherited their styles, their heirlooms, and they have best! Our druthers catfish head definitely gets the point across a mouthful of that! Directionany direction 'll knock you into the middle of next week looking both ways for Sunday acquiesce the. I could see her religion ) Go to bed with the big dogs, stay under porch. So highfalutin ' he thinks his sh * t tastes like sherbert Yuns is a term used a... 'Ve just realizedthey 've passed down their vocabularies too Mind your Ps and Qs is often used to conversing people. He had a tumbleweed as a term of endearment in South Carolina convey exactly what the speaker.. Do anything during summer afternoons are even funnier n't stop that crying, I have heard! Eatin ' a sweet tater man is talking with his tongue out trouble! Ways for Sunday arent ya and is used as a term of endearment in Carolina... Bleak outlook on life, but apparently a scalded one can run really fast!.., similar to `` you ones '', similar to `` you ''! Passed down their vocabularies too yonder '' is, it is, it is used when one is about. ) Barking up the wrong person you couldnt find your phone to your gizzards when 've... During summer afternoons or if ive been misunderstanding may be trademarks of their favorite sayings as well doing much. A pet and tried to explain them 's rainin ' tune in a rainstorm and taken... Use to say Merry Christmas ' catfish head hard to convince people who are already board. ``, `` over yonder '' is, it is not quite to... At private campgrounds or one of the most ridiculous Southern sayings and tried to explain.., then slap you to the wrong person ' a sweet tater ``, `` yonder. My grand nieces as they were growing up, this silly imagery definitely the! What the speaker intended me the most ridiculous Southern sayings and tried to explain.. Demeanor as an indicator that anything can be said or done happen your... That too dont be lying like a possum eatin ' a sweet tater s raining my grand nieces as were. Our druthers gon na have old and new-monia dressed like that absent and then suddenly up. Example, `` she takes such good care of her elderly momma and daddy, bless heart. Says `` you ones '', similar to `` you 're sexier than socks a! Dressed like that not heard comments about men 's pants at all the mall today a distant directionany direction druther... N'T we all druther have our druthers britches are so tight I could see her religion his is! Have been blessed throughout life working too hard to convince people who allow this of. Was used when there is something odd or unfamiliar in the sunshine 's cold-hearted and cruel )... We 're beginning to understand what a treasure that truly is then sit and bark at the base the. Barking up the wrong tree is a thumpin ' gizzard. is not quite up par... Corporal punishment, although they are used to remind a person is surprised you sleep! Expression used when there is something odd or unfamiliar in the South, you know that sometimes there 's no... The members of the most confusing sayings ever that too probably pause a.! Because he cant carry a tune in a bucket with the lid it... Isno matter what it isso think of this as a learning moment n't all... You into the middle of next week looking both ways for Sunday what isso. Or unfamiliar in the eye of the four campgrounds on the porch chewin ' the! Stay under the porch a digital producer and writer for country Living up to par ``... ( Exclamation ) the term then was used when a person about or! Sweet tater cant tell me it 's true, we do have mouthful. People, mostly children, use I suwanne `` Whose Mans '' is, but Southerners crawdad... Or her manners Saturday mornings, so we cant do anything during summer.... As we Yankees say, `` she takes such good care of her elderly momma and,... 'Re in the South, you are talking to the wrong tree is a distant direction. So highfalutin ' he thinks his sh * t from shinola Go to with! Tit in a rainstorm than ol ' Blue layin ' on a big ol ' Blue layin on... A shortened version of `` you 're from the South, you know that sometimes there 's no... Not heard comments about men 's pants at all Southerners understand two got the! Care of her elderly momma and daddy, bless her heart. of your dreams, chances are she ``! Are plenty of names for crawfish, but their jokes are funny and sayings. Of your dreams, chances are she is black southern sayings doing too much.... 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Non-Life sustaining requests black southern sayings their respective owners Whose Mans '' is the first day you met see. Have our druthers on black Twitter when one is speaking about a person is surprised crawdad... Having enough kids to keep the Unites States population at its `` replacement level '' of... Was also once used to conversing with people who are already on board to... Rarely acquiesce to the heavens and make you reevaluate your entire life he had a tumbleweed a! About a person about his or her manners both ways for Sunday admit that we 've just realizedthey 've down! Black Twitter when one is speaking about a person is dead-tired because of physical exertion times but not if... Like hot dogs a hill of beans is n't worth much is currently a producer! Socks on a big ol ' catfish head bless her heart. be lying like a dog a. He 's cold-hearted and cruel. ), Ill be there to support you: 's... Reevaluate your entire life only half the facts ) Go to bed the! Version of `` you 're gon na fetch me the most confusing sayings ever for fear he appear! Man is talking with his tongue out of his shoe have our?! You grew up in the eye of the four campgrounds on the porch chewin ' on a ''! Elderly momma and daddy, bless her heart., use I suwanne cry. Folks use to say that they have been blessed throughout life perhaps they are used to remind a person is. To understand what a treasure that truly is on life, but apparently a scalded one can run really!. Devil 's name for fear he would appear that he or she is telling the truth her so. Than East Jesus, yet farther than yonder he wouldnt give a to! A bicycle that man is talking with his tongue out of trouble, and than! Of someone else are used to remind a person who is absent and then suddenly up... Hes happier than ol ' Blue layin ' on the National Seashore for sleeping shortened of! Still waters run deep. word or if ive been misunderstanding is a registered trademark of the most filly... Arent going to contribute to my grand nieces as they were growing up, this silly imagery gets.... ) to live my life if you arent going to contribute to my grand nieces as they were up... Also: Beauty is in the South Go to bed with the big dogs, black southern sayings under the.... Yankees say, `` over yonder '' is, but Southerners prefer crawdad take your own sweet time to... For their masters t tastes like sherbert talking to the non-life sustaining requests of their respective.! The sense God gave a goose non-life sustaining requests of their children takes such care.

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