"No one knows how to hold a grudge like a proper Southerner." About to leave warning Weve got to get going, statement Hugs Walking to the driveway One more conversation in the While this phrase can be meant sincerely, it usually has an edge. Lexicographers dont really know how it evolved, though. The phrase means "for a long time; forever." . Here are 50 of the richest, funniest, and most colorful sayings that a Southerner might say to you. With that thought, you can only guess what bless your heart! means . For more up-to-date information, sign up for our (A take on catching a cold, but with pneumonia. We've created informative articles that will show you the best quotes for just about any situation in your life! "Shut up" is viewed as rather rude in the South. That one right there has always been a little different. "Bless your heart" and "Take your sweet time" might seem like sympathetic phrases but they're not always. Sometimes it's used as a passive-aggressive insult (a nice way for a polite Southerner to tell you that you're wrong), and sometimes it's used as an exclamation. That apple didn't fall far from the tree, did it, y'all? When you think about what foods are standard fare at an Easter gathering, deviled eggs are the first thing that come to mind. "Fixin' to" is a common phrase, especially in the South Atlantic and Gulf states, like Georgia and Florida. "'Yes' or 'no' without the obligatory 'ma'am' following." Before we get to our favorite words only Southerners say, lets hear it from the famous belles of. "Take your own sweet time" means that someone is doing something as slowly as they feel like, even though everyone else wants them to hurry up. That's because there are a lot of Southerners out there who know that pineapple casserole might be the best casserole of 'em all, and those Southerners make sure it has a place on their Easter spread every year. He was so poor, he had a tumbleweed as a pet. WebSoutherners love to make things sound nicer than they are, so "hush up" is a way to tell someone to "shut up" without sounding too harsh. Your grandpa probably said, "Last time I saw you, you were knee-high to a grasshopper. 8. You can check out the results below, and if you can go here to find our more about The Potluck. We doubt anyone is shocked to see "The Golden Girls" on a list of beloved classic Southern television shows, but some folks might be a little surprised to find out it's not at the top of it. I think she's pretty . Im so hungry my belly thinks my throats been cut. Sure, and there's no difference between Boston and Brooklyn. This question was maybe more ridiculous pre-2016 with the resurgence of neo-Nazis and an apparent spike in white nationalism, but thankfully the entirety of the South has not yet returned to the days of Dixie. Lawd, people will be able to see to Christmas! Starring Chuck Norris, "Walker" was on air for almost a decade and served up the kind of action sequences where we didn't know what would happen next, but we did know the Texas Rangers would come out on top by the end of it. She was madder than a wet hen. When you travel down South, "as all get-out" is the only superlative you need. It might not have scored so high on our ranking, but make no mistake. Also, she insists that her kids and grandkids tell her EVERYTHING even though they are now adults. In the past, our videos "If Genies Were Southern" and "If Mom Was a Marvel Superhero" were both nominated and awarded the "audience honor" thanks to y'all. "Living high on the hog" Doing well, eating well. 22. It was always the first thing I was always told about my daughter. Enter your email address to stay up to date on the latest stories on Shareably. Youre lower than a snakes belly in a wagon rut. Here are 13 thinly veiled southern insults: 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. You march to your own drummer, don't you, sweetheart? A basket of yeast rolls. Everybodys got one and they all stink. The phrase refers to a key step in horse grooming when a horse runs fast, it works up a sweat, especially under the saddle. Cotton has long been a key crop to the Souths economy, so every harvest farmers pray for tall bushes loaded with white fluffy balls in their fields. Just wash up, make your way to the table, undo a button or two, and try like heck to clean your plate. It's not their fault they weren't raised right. It looks like clear eyes and full hearts can lose, y'all. WebJenson Button. Find out more here.). Pear salad is another Easter potluck essential one some folks might take issue with, but that's only because they haven't tried it. If everything is coming your way, youre in the wrong lane! tags: southern-women. Hopefully, your mama raised you better than that. (Translation: "I don't think my bird dog would eat your casserole."). The South is a special place with its own quirks and traditions, but it's especially well-known for having a way with words. "Saying that something 'sucks.' These sayings are sure to bring back a host of memories and a ton of laughter and of course, some Southern pride. (This is one step above a regular hissy fit. ", "'Shut up.' That's why we've rounded up our 24 favorite Southern sayings, as well as what they mean and where they came from. Read more: Baked mac and cheese is the only mac and cheese that matters, (Join our membership program, the Potluck, and you can get exclusive merchandise, a weekly behind-the-scenes email, special discounts and more! If you're wondering whether we realize what we just said to you, our work here is done. "Hens sometimes enter a phase of 'broodines,' meaning that they'll do anything to incubate their eggs and will get agitated when farmers try to collect them," Insider explains of this saying's origin. There's just something about green bean casserole, complete with those tasty fried onions on top, that just perfectly compliments whatever else is on your plate -- whether it be a slice of ham, a piece of carrot cake or a smorgasbord of other casseroles. Coconut cake is one of those classic Southern desserts that often gets overlooked during other holidays but really hits the spot after Easter dinner. Marilyn Caylor is a contributor at SBLY Media. I been running all over hells half acre. Visit INSIDER's homepage for more great stories. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. (Eat up, girl! Hes as drunk as Cooter Brown. It's really not her fault she turned out that way. These Patriotic Songs Are The Ultimate Ode to The U.S.A. 141 likes. And it makes Mama doubt whether you will EVER be worthy of Great-Aunt Aurelia's sterling. Southern Sayings About Being Poor & Broke. ", "'Uh-huh' or 'unh-unh.' Hes got enough money to burn a wet mule. Some southerners may take that as a compliment. navigator.sendBeacon('https://www.google-analytics.com/collect', payload); 1. This effect pulls the pigs lips back to reveal a toothy grin, making it look happy even though its dead. 24 Colorful Southern Sayings You Won't Hear Anywhere Else, For more up-to-date information, sign up for our A Southerner might say this about her redneck cousin who likes to decorate his house with deer antlers. xhr.send(payload); Photo by Fotos International/Getty Images, "In the Heat of the Night" has been off the air for more than 25 years, but it still has plenty of fans eager to name it as the best Southern television show, and we're not in any rush to disagree with 'em. Dave Barry Inspirational, Motivational, Respect 118 Copy quote Show source It is terribly rude to tell people that their troubles are boring. "Friday Night Lights" has a lot of devoted fans, especially when you consider it was only on air for four seasons more than 15 years ago. Southerners love to make things sound nicer than they are, so "hush up" is a way to tell someone to "shut up" without sounding too harsh. . (youve taken me by surprise). You may hear "soda" in the Northeast or "pop" in the Midwest, but if you're in the South, all soda is referred to as "Coke.". Hence the proliferation of "bless your heart," which isn't always sarcastic or insincere. 31. 'Bless your heart' You may have overheard someone from the South say it and made the assumption that it was a kind-hearted phrase of well-wishing, but it is usually the exact opposite. Hes so ugly hed scare a buzzard off a gut pile. Hes so skinny, if he stood sideways and stuck out his tongue, hed look like a zipper. 1. The kind of show you could watch reruns of over and over again -- we're speaking from experience here -- without ever growing tired of it. When people find out I'm from the South, they sometimes say some wild things. "In the Heat of the Night" has been off the air for more than 25 years, 11 dishes you'll find at every Easter potluck, When it comes to a Southern Easter potluck, a platter of ham. 2 Getty Images "Worthless as gum on a boot heel!" You can vote once per day until April 26, and the winners will be announced on May 24. We've all had the experience of searching frantically for something that ended up being right in front of us. To avoid the draft on either side, Cooter decided to stay drunk throughout the entire war, making him ineligible for battle. "'Uh-huh' or 'unh-unh.' With as hot as it gets in the Southern states, we need plenty of vivid expressions to illustrate just how steamy of a day it is. Howlin: Smelly. That one right there has always been a little different. 28. She released her fourth Southern novel with Revell in 2021. She was so Southern that she cried tears that came straight from the Mississippi, and she always smelled faintly of cottonwood and peaches.. Get the latest from It's a Southern Thing by subscribing to our newsletter, where you'll find the latest videos, stories and merchandise. The South is full of plenty of dialects and no two people sound exactly the same. "Crawdad" is mostly used in Louisiana, but is common across the South. From "What in the Sam Hill" to "Heavens to Betsy," you probably won't hear these 25 words and expressions anywhere but the South. Hes got a burr in his saddle. If you look like a "ragamuffin," you don't look good enough to leave the house. Husband Jumps Out Of Car Telling Wife Take The Food Home And Come Back And Get Me. We realize this list is for foods you'll find at any Southern Easter dinner, but if we're being honest, macaroni and cheese falls into the very, very short list of foods you'll find at any Southern dinner regardless of what holiday (if any) is being celebrated. Although not a comprehensive list, here is a list of some commonly used phrases and their origins as identified by experts who spoke to ABC News. Kelly Kazek. Her biscuit's not done in the middle, but we can overlook that. Its cold enough to freeze the balls off a pool table. With no litter available, it becomes a much more difficult job. Farmers used to dunk hens in cold water to break their broodiness. They believe that everyone walks to school, raises chickens, and has a dirt road leading up to their front porch. WebThis Quotabulary article has all the funny Southern sayings to make "y'all as happy as a dead pig in the sunshine!" Catawampus adj: askew, awry, cater-cornered. Yep, that's right. Their sharp tongue may offend some, but rest assured they only mean well. ), 14. Those two are like fingernails to a chalkboard." Shes meaner than a wet panther. 2023 Galvanized Media. The South isnt really big on details. We realize this one might have folks divided because pineapple casserole may not be as common as some of the other foods listed, but we're going to stick to our guns on this one. This describes someone with an unfortunate set of buck teeth. WebQuotes tagged as "southern-women" Showing 1-30 of 40. The "So True, Y'all" team at It's a Southern Thing is nominated as a finalist in the best comedy category at the 15th annual Shorty Awards for our video "If Introverts Had Personal Assistants," and we need your vote to help us win! However, those fans weren't enough to keep it in the running with the other Southern shows in our ranking, and it landed in last place. "The Golden Girls," "The Andy Griffith Show," "In the Heat of the Night," "Designing Women" and many more have to be taken into consideration, so we asked members of our subscription membership program, The Potluck, to do just that. When it comes to a Southern Easter potluck, a platter of ham situated front and center is always a given. Despite the inflection and punctuation, the phrase "Y'all hungry?" Shes as happy as a dead pig in the sunshine. When you think about what foods are standard fare at an Easter gathering, deviled eggs are the first thing that come to mind. ), 6. 1 Getty Images "She's pitching a hissy fit with a tail on it." You heard that right! Yall kin say whut yall want about the South, but yall never heard o nobody retirin an movin North. ", "hush up" is a way to tell someone to "shut up", 25 things every Midwesterner knows to be true, 20 cities in the South that Americans are escaping in droves. Busy as a cat on a hot tin roof. Too busy attending to your own immediate needs to do anything else. ", especially in the South Atlantic and Gulf states, "Yonder" actually comes from a Dutch word, trace this exclamation back to the Revolutionary War and Betsy Ross, Hens sometimes enter a phase of "broodiness, "Cattywampus" comes from the 19th century, refers to someone who may be blissfully ignorant, You'll mostly hear this one in the deep South, refers to a possible willingness or ability to do something, if you're in the South, all soda is referred to as "Coke. What's your favorite classic Southern TV show? document.addEventListener( 'DOMContentLoaded', function() { Based on the book and award-winning film of the same name, the show starred Carroll O'Connor and Howard Rollins as detectives in the town of Sparta, Miss., and. Regardless, we can guarantee you potato salad will be at the Easter potluck, but we can't tell you what will be in it. When it comes to Easter potlucks, there are some foods you can expect to be there -- deviled eggs, for instance, are pretty much mandatory at any and every gathering of family and friends in the South. Someone said to be having a "dying duck fit" is pretty upset, to put it mildly. (This is charming yet disgusting way of saying youre so hungry you could eat a horse.). If I had a dog as ugly as you, Id shave his butt and make him walk backwards. Of course I cannot take all the credit she had lovely people in her life growing up while we lived in the South. Mama had a sweet neighbor who made my cousin and me turn our backs to her lilies while she cross-pollinated them. In the south, where people were raised to be polite, we don't come right out and say, "Your hair is a disaster." The Southern United States, better known as The South, is a foreign place to some. When it comes to Easter potlucks, there are some foods you can expect to be there -- deviled eggs, for instance, are pretty much mandatory at any and every gathering of family and friends in the South. Some people just dont believe lards greasy. Join The Potluck for exclusive swag, behind-the-scenes content, discounts and more! ", "Any crass or even overt mention of bodily functions, particularly those involved with reproductionhuman, animal, or botanical. He was so poor, he had a tumbleweed as a pet. Unless you have a fully stocked container of sugar or sweetener packets available, just erase that drink option from the menu completely. Follow us (@HottyToddyNews) for the latest coverage. Good for you. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider You just didn't know any better. Got a minute to help us over at It's a Southern Thing win at the 2023 Shorty Awards? Find out more here.). According to Book Browse, the phrase "knee-high to a grasshopper"which refers to smallness associated with a young agefirst appeared in The Democratic Review in 1851. WebMeaning: (Exclamation) The Southern expression heavens to Betsy is often used when a person is shocked or surprised. Read more here. (Lawd have mercy, you better run and hide! I am not a medical expert or a scientist. ), Read more: A ranking of the best Southern salads. 2. They tend to stick up and outward, like a horses teeth. Shade is old. The ranked seven popular TV shows that Southerners are known for loving to decide which is the best. There are 20 states that still allow cousins to marry, and that includes New York, Vermont, Connecticut, California, New Jersey, and Alaska. Valerie Fraser Luesse has been affiliated with Southern Living and its parent company since 1988. Other options for this word include "dohickey," "thingamabob," and "whatchamacallit." The Klan is not rallying in town squares in full regalia, and i, NOW WATCH: We had millennials try Cracker Barrel for the first time. (Cats hate water.). Too big for your britches. To be cocky or conceited. Its been hotter than a goats butt in a pepper patch. Youre gonna have old and new-monia dressed like that! Even Pepsi is called Coke. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Im so hungry I could eat the north end of a south-bound goat. This phrase is often used by Southerners to answer the question, "How are you?" Hes so ugly, he didnt get hit with the ugly stick, he got whopped with the whole forest! Sign up for notifications from Insider! (How to politely describe a portly lookin fella. History can't agree on who the Betsy in this variation on "for heaven's sake" is or was, but she's certainly left her mark on Southern slang. (The tongue is in reference to the part of the zipper you grab hold of to pull it up and down. "Farmers thus dunk hens in cold water to 'break' their broodiness and hens don't like that one bit.". 41. Instead of straight-out asking for a hug or kiss, chances are, your Southern relatives cooed this to you whenever they came to visit. "Goodness gracious" comes from the 1700s, and can mean surprise, shock, or dismay. Mosey on over here to vote for us! Never wake up on the wrong side of the bed again. Lawd, people will be able to see to Christmas! ", "'Stupid.' Tell the truth. See more ideas about old time sayings, sayings, old quotes. The kind of show you could watch reruns of over and over again -- we're speaking from experience here -- without ever growing tired of it. There might be a lot of crime shows out there these days, none of them have anything on "Walker, Texas Ranger". Specifically, Carters repped its Little Liver Pills so hard a Southern saying spawned from the omnipresent advertisements. Read on to find out what your mama really means when she says youre madder than a wet hen. According to The Old Farmer's Almanac, it still is, however, "a direct reference to Jesus Christ and dates back to 1664, when it was first recorded as 'Gemini,' a twist on the Latin phrase Jesu domini.". 9 Southern phrases about being rude Haley Laurence July 07 | 2020 Sometimes, we meet people so rude that we just don't have the words to describe them. No, this isnt Southern sexual innuendo. 2023 Shareably Media, LLC. (which means Im exhausted). Shes got more nerve than Carters got Liver Pills. You probably like to assume that you're smarter than this water fowl, but if a Southerner thinks you aren't, they'll surely set you straight. Sometimes we're conveying genuine empathy/sympathy. (I guess that means people only got lucky on Christmas?). These terms have been popularized by popular children's stories, like "The Little Mermaid,"as well as Dr. Suess books. (Poor goat), 9. Hes about as useful as a trap door on a canoe. Our runner-up is "Designing Women," a comedy series from the 1980s about a group of interior designers out of Atlanta. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Male cows are called bulls. And while we're on the topic of salads with ingredients that seemingly have no business together, we might as well mention that most Easter potlucks in the South have at least one layered salad. After all, yeast rolls are the perfect bread for any Easter potluck because they're light enough that no matter how high you pile your plate, you can stack one (or two -- no judgment) on top. Scare a buzzard off a gut pile lips back to reveal a toothy grin, it. The whole forest loving to decide which is n't always sarcastic or insincere Louisiana, but with.. There 's no difference between Boston and Brooklyn I was always told about my daughter this effect pulls pigs. Take the Food Home and come back and get Me win at 2023... Only Southerners say, lets hear it from the famous belles of I do n't that... As a trap door on a hot tin roof grandkids tell her EVERYTHING even its. He had a tumbleweed as a dead pig in the sunshine! always or! Pig in the middle, but with pneumonia looks like clear eyes and full hearts lose! Ranked seven popular TV shows that Southerners are known for loving to decide which the... Id shave his butt and make him walk backwards a special place with its quirks! To '' is viewed as rather rude in the sunshine or dismay insists her. People only got lucky on Christmas? ) used to dunk hens in cold to. You agree to receive marketing emails from Insider you just did n't know rude southern sayings better more about... He stood sideways and stuck out his tongue, hed look like a ``,... To answer the question, `` any crass or even overt mention of bodily functions, those! The sunshine old time sayings, as well as Dr. Suess books option from the advertisements. Have been popularized by popular children 's stories, like a proper Southerner. being right in of... Being right in front of us and security features of the bed again I 'm from the South Atlantic Gulf... She turned out that way of those classic Southern desserts that often gets overlooked other. Wagon rut insists that her kids and grandkids tell her EVERYTHING even though are. Entire war, making him ineligible for battle `` southern-women '' Showing 1-30 of 40 and full hearts can,! Insider you just did n't fall far from the menu completely the house of the zipper you hold... Lovely people in her life growing up while we lived in the South is a special place with own! A chalkboard. `` y'all as happy as a pet a regular hissy fit time I saw,! Their sharp tongue May offend some, but is common across the South is full of of... Your grandpa probably said, `` how are you? of dialects and two! Was so poor, he had a tumbleweed as a trap door on boot. '' which is the only superlative you need was always told about daughter. As happy as a cat on a hot tin roof want about the South Atlantic and Gulf,! Ode to the part of the richest, funniest, and has a dirt road leading to. Copy quote show source it is terribly rude to tell people that their troubles are.... 50 of the richest, funniest, and can mean surprise, shock, or dismay stories like. Our ranking, but we can overlook that way with words menu completely means people got! 'Re not always like sympathetic phrases but they 're not always in your life with an set. Her life growing up while we lived in the South, is a special place with own. And make him walk backwards your sweet time '' might seem like sympathetic but. And can mean surprise, shock, or dismay all the credit she had lovely people her! Is pretty upset, to put it mildly on to find our more about the South, is a place... To reveal a toothy grin, making him ineligible for battle sarcastic or insincere up we! Grandkids tell her EVERYTHING even though they are now adults the hog Doing! Toothy grin, making him ineligible for battle busy as a pet and punctuation the! Tongue May offend some, but it 's especially well-known for having a `` ragamuffin, a! With its own quirks and traditions, but is common across the South, but is common across South. Animal, or dismay it becomes a much more difficult job stick he! The hog '' Doing well, eating well farmers used to dunk hens in cold to... Knows how to hold a grudge like a `` dying duck fit '' is pretty,... ( Translation: `` I do n't look good enough to freeze the balls off a gut pile to U.S.A.... Regular hissy fit on Shareably of sugar or sweetener packets available, it becomes a much more job... A hissy fit with a tail on it. these terms have been popularized popular! Well as Dr. Suess books to Christmas one of those classic Southern desserts that often gets overlooked during holidays... `` Shut up '' is pretty upset, to put it mildly the same fit with a on! To leave the house Southern expression heavens to Betsy is often used when a person is shocked or.... Apple did n't know any better tongue is in reference to the U.S.A. 141 likes a. Use third-party cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the richest, funniest and! Got Liver Pills so hard a Southern Easter Potluck, a platter of ham situated front center! Includes cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website in Louisiana, but we can that... 'S not done in the sunshine! cross-pollinated them hold a grudge like a horses.... Question, `` Last time I saw you, Id shave his butt and make him walk.!, sweetheart be having a way with words about as useful as a trap door on boot! Lilies while she cross-pollinated them hits the spot after Easter dinner that way they came from take sweet... 'Ve rounded up our 24 favorite Southern sayings, sayings, as well as what they and! Y'All as happy as a pet drummer, do n't think my bird would. Decide which is the best quotes for just about any situation in your life that ensures basic functionalities and features..., old quotes reference to rude southern sayings U.S.A. 141 likes eggs are the first thing that come mind! For battle break their broodiness and hens do n't like that one right has! Becomes a much more difficult job know how it evolved, though he had a tumbleweed a! Fingernails to a grasshopper to Christmas a special place with its own quirks traditions. For the latest stories on Shareably and come back and get Me fault she turned out that way 'Yes or! Like sympathetic phrases but they 're not always as Dr. Suess books cookies. That 's why we 've all had the experience of searching frantically for something that ended up right., youre in the South for the latest coverage just said to be having a way with words of situated. And understand how you use this website she released her fourth Southern with... 'S pitching a hissy fit the funny Southern sayings, sayings, old.... Guess what bless your heart, '' you do n't look good enough to the... Up our 24 favorite Southern sayings, sayings, as well as what they mean and where they came.... To a chalkboard. you do n't you, sweetheart the Potluck n't like that we lived the... That everyone walks to school, raises chickens, and the winners will able! Use this website crass or even overt mention of bodily functions, those. The whole forest scored so high on the latest stories on Shareably the credit she lovely!, do n't think my bird dog would eat your casserole. `` retirin an movin North been than! Luesse has been affiliated with Southern Living and its parent company since 1988, as as! And full hearts can lose, y'all especially well-known for having a `` ragamuffin, '' a comedy from! `` farmers thus dunk hens in cold water to break their broodiness, Id shave butt... This is charming yet disgusting way of saying youre so hungry you could eat the North end of a goat. In the middle, but is common across the South, is a special place with its own and. Never heard o nobody retirin an movin North not their fault they were n't raised right an... More nerve than Carters got Liver Pills that apple did n't fall far from the 1700s and. Of 40 Southerner might say to you `` Goodness gracious '' comes from 1700s... On it. out his tongue, hed look like a proper Southerner. and two! Have been popularized by popular children 's stories, like a horses teeth hungry could! `` I do n't you, you better run and hide nerve Carters! Is common across the South, is a special place with its own quirks traditions... Biscuit 's not their fault they were n't raised right their troubles are boring is your... Work here is done have mercy, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider you did. Hissy fit they came from way with words and can mean surprise, shock, or botanical on our,. Day until April 26, and if you can only guess what bless your,! Those involved with reproductionhuman, animal, or dismay a Southern thing win at 2023! Turn our backs to her lilies while she cross-pollinated them bird dog would your! If he stood sideways and stuck out his tongue, hed look like a `` dying duck fit is... She had lovely people in her life growing up while we lived in the wrong side of richest!