Southernisms

Posted by: PerryMK

Southernisms - 07/04/22 06:44 AM

Although originally from up north, I've lived in the South for a while and am starting to catch on to the local vernacular.

For example:

"I'm not in charge" = they're doing it wrong

"Bless your heart" = you're an idiot

"You're not from around here" = you're a foreign idiot

"Drive it like you stole it" = go fast and reckless
Posted by: BZH

Re: Southernisms - 07/19/22 09:55 AM

I'm new to the south (2 years in Alabama). I'm still trying to figure out what the number cut-off is between y'all and all y'all. I think y'all is for four or less people and all y'all is for five or more, but I'm not sure.
Posted by: Glenn Roberts

Re: Southernisms - 07/19/22 11:33 AM

According to my daughter and her family (who recently returned to Ohio after 30 years in Georgia) "Y'all" is singular and "All y'all) is plural.

Bless your heart for asking! smile (couldn't resist - sorry.)
Posted by: BZH

Re: Southernisms - 07/20/22 09:57 AM

grin
I'm sure I get bless your hearted all the time. My neighbors are wonderful but they definitely call us "the family from California" blush
Posted by: Glenn Roberts

Re: Southernisms - 07/20/22 12:52 PM

Now if they could only come up with more than one street name - and Soaring Drive, Soaring Way, Soaring Avenue, and Soaring Court, all in the same subdivision, don't count as different!
Posted by: Arizona

Re: Southernisms - 07/20/22 01:43 PM

My mother was the quintessential southern woman with very deep roots, born and raised in a rural area between the Ozark mountains and the Ouachita mountains with the closest town less than 300 population. They had no car or truck, no electricity or running water. She took me back to look at her old place once and showed quite a bit about how life worked there. I witnessed much beauty and the little things that delighted her so much. There are natural grapes growing there she called musky dimes (muscadines). They used those.

Her heart never really left the Deep South. Anyway southernisms were always a part of life with her. She had a saying for everything. When we were young she would take me to visit her mother who always kept chickens and the ubiquitous bantam rooster that they called banny roosters. Nasty little things would fligh up and try to flog anyone who went out back. They have to be a southernism all their own.
Posted by: PerryMK

Re: Southernisms - 07/20/22 02:36 PM

“He’s a good dog, just don’t let him too far off the porch.” = nice enough person but don’t ask/expect too much

“Did your mama have any kids that lived?” = you’re an idiot

“Where did they grow you at?” = you’re an idiot

I’m starting to see a pattern.
Posted by: Glenn Roberts

Re: Southernisms - 07/20/22 03:51 PM

Try walking into the Kennesaw Mountain Barnes & Noble to ask if they have a copy of Sherman's memoirs... yeah, probably crossed the line of good taste that time. smile