How many of these have your family members uttered?
Someone once said that when you visit the South, you need a translator.
It’s true, we do have a quite thelaundry list of sayingsthat only Southerners understand.
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Take a look at some of our favorite Southern slang and sayings that we just couldn’t live without.
you might check out this list oflesser-known sayings, too.
It’s almost always accompanied by a good-natured, perhaps slightly exasperated, shake of the head.
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Don’t worry, though, everyone hears this every now and again.
She Was Madder Than A Wet Hen
Have you ever seen a wet hen?
If so, you know that being madder than a wet hen is very mad indeed.
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Some say farmers used to dunk their hens when they got broody.
And really, wouldn’t we all druther have our druthers?
It’s a vivid phrase, and it’s an accurate one too.
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It is a physical and mental state a few degrees past weary and just this side of dog-tired.
It happens often during a Southern summer when the heat rises and the temperatures shoot past 100.
Hankering
When you have a hankering for atomato sandwich, youre in the mood for it.
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Whats for dinner tonight?
I have a hankering for chicken potpie.
Tore Up
She was tore up about not getting invited to the ladies luncheon.
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It truly upset her.
Might Could
This is simply might with Southern flair.
I might could pick that package up for you.
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Happy As A Pig In Mud
Have you ever seen a pig roll around in mud?
If so, then you know they’re pretty darn content.
Basically you don’t care one way or the other about the matter at hand.
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The phrase may be accompanied by a gesture indicating north, south, east, or west.
Over yonder down the road.
Over yonder past the field.
Over yonder toward the water tower.
Carry Me To…
If youre not from the South, you might wonder why someone would carry another person to the store.
This phrase isnt literal.
You simply take someone to the store.
Better visit your mom.
Basically it means, last time someone saw you, you were young or very small.
Whether you’re talking about volume or value, a hill of beans isn’t worth much.
That means whatever you’re talking about is worth less than very little.
Apparently, Carter had a great many pills, because the phrase found its way into the Southern vocabulary.
It indicates there is a lot of something, from problems to money.
You may still hear it if you stop into a country store.
No bigger than a minnow in a fishing pond is as tiny as can be.
You Cant Make A Silk Purse Out Of A Sows Ear
Were not talking about purses here.
Plumb
You may be not just truly, completely, absolutely tired, but plumb tired.
Your neighbor may be plumb-crazy.
This is the absolute of absolutes.
Hotter Than Blazes
Get you somesweet tea.
Its hot, yall.
You may hear a declaration about the heat as hotter than blue blazes.
Either way, its a day for sitting and sipping on the porch.
Piddlin'
A piddlin is a small amount thats not worth bothering with.
Someone who is piddlin in the yard is wasting time and not doing a whole lot.
In fact, Georgia and South Carolina produce more peaches than any other states in the South.
And of course, there’s nothing prettier than a warm summer day picking peaches in the sunshine.
She’s not looking for sweets; she wants a hug and a kiss.
Gussied Up
This means you are dressing up and looking nicer than your everyday look.
Sayings Of Exclamation and Surprise
Hold Your Horses
Stop right there!
If you hear this one, it’s best to slow down.
Well, I Declare
A multipurpose Southernism.
The only requirement is that you declare it loud and proud.
I was surprised as all get out.
It was bad as all get out.
Anything to the degree of “all get out” is something to talk about.
We admit that we’ve heard this Southernism more than once.
“Well I s’wanee” evokes the Southern Suwannee River.
Or, depending on where you live, it could beSewanee, the small college town in Tennessee.
It has nothing to do withbuttered biscuits.
The surprise is usually positive.
Oh My Stars!
It’s often used to describe food that’s insanely delicious.
There’s even a Southern spice calledSlap Ya Mama Cajun Seasoningthat’s named for the famous expression.
Sayings That Describe People
Too Big For His Britches
This one is unarguable Southern criticism.
Translated, it means, “He sure does think a lot of himself.”
If you hear this one, you should probably pause a moment.
Shes Got Gumption
Gumption is spirit, courage, spunk, boldness, and initiative.
Quit Being Ugly
No, we don’t mean you oughta gofix your hair.
This phrase isn’t about physical appearance.
Rather, when this phrase is used, we’d like you tomind your mannersand stop acting inappropriately.
You’ll most often hear it coming out of Mama’s mouth when the kids are running amok.
Livin In High Cotton
If a person is living in high cotton, it means success.
This phrase is used to mean life is good.
Y’all
Lets talk contractions.
And if you’re writing it down, it’s always"y’all” not “ya’ll”.
In other words, they’re too big for their britches.
Expressions About Problems
Can’t Never Could
Positive thinking, Southern style.
Even if theres nothing left to scrape in that pan, use your manners and move along.
A proper Southerner behavesno hissy fits allowed.
When the sheets are loose, the ship rocks uncontrollably.
Youre all in solidarity.
Whatever is bothering you isnt serious, and it will eventually be resolved with no lasting effects.
This Ain’t My First Rodeo
This phrase means exactly what it sounds like.
It’s used to describe a situation or circumstance that someone is prepared for or has experience in.
It’s maybe a slightly nicer way of outright rejecting or disparaging an idea.
