You could have a stroke out here. Meaning: (Phrase) Over yonder means over there in Southern slang. Instead of accepting the repercussions or come up with a believable excuse, the kid answers with, "See, what had happened was my phone restarted and changed my clock so I thought it was 10 p.m., instead of midnight. If Grandma's surprised, you'll hear this immediately. Something smells bad enough to knock a dog off a gut wagon. I'm so hungry my belly thinks my throat's been cut. Example: "That's not going to work, son. Example: I never touched the crock pot. 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. Black slang and AAVE (African-American Vernacular English) have long been considered inferior to so-called "standard" English, and the black people who use it seen as uneducated or unintelligent (forcing many to master the art of code-switching).So when suddenly words and phrases that have strong ties to the black community are adopted and warped by non . I couldnt buy a hummingbird on a string for a nickel. This term is commonly used in restaurants and bars. Meaning: (Phrase) The phrase stinks to high heavens means that a person has done something bad. Some folks prefer country wisdom. What I will do in that moment is text you a link to your local bus schedule, suggest you invest in a bike, or if Im feeling really generous, send you a Lyft PromoCode. You better skedaddle before you get caught! Anything that is not required shelter, food, clothes, or school supplies is extra and they remind you of it at every moment. Southerners don't say "cater-cornered"they say "caddywonked.". Example: Are you a ding-don or are you just pretending? or, "He doesn't have the sense to come in out of the rain, bless his heart.". You'd call an alligator a lizard. Answer: I think that "law" is actually a form of "Lord", possibly calling on the lord tor help or understanding. Question: What does the southern saying "yuns" mean? Ive known you since you were knee high to a bullfrog, but that was ages ago! Made famous by Forrest Gump, this phrase reminds us to look a little deeper. My favorite saying. Meaning: (Exclamation) In the Southern way of things, swearing is bad. Question: Have you heard anyone say Oh, my hind foot!? In Black American English, this phrase means asking for something in a vague, circuitous way. Meaning: (Hyperbole) The term pinch a plug out of you is low key, telling a child to behave, especially during mass. Furthermore, America is a "good ole' boys club", so even if a black person has the same education level and experience as a white man, they will be grossly underpaid. Andrew LaSane. If you find only minnows, though, they look even smaller compared to the heavy catch you hoped for. Every time we ask for something, were putting ourselves at risk. ", "I'm so poor I can't afford to pay attention. Question: Do you have any insight on where the expression "I'm going to the house" comes from? Of course, there are the good old standbys we all know and love, like "y'all" and "down yonder." (have a good time) Go off half-cocked. Copy. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. The dogs would then sit and bark at the base of the tree, waiting for their masters. He squeezes a quarter so tight the eagle screams. Things in the South aren't "broken"they're "tore . Happier than ol' Blue layin' on the porch chewin' on a big ol' catfish head. Meaning: (Phrase) Hug yer neck is a term used by older people when they want to hug the kids. Growing up in a black household, nothing is really yours; your parents are simply kind enough to let you temporarily and carefully use something. Tighter than a fleas ass over a rain barrel. Meaning: (Phrase) If a person says your face is gonna freeze like that, he or she means that if you are angry enough, the angry face you have will freeze forever. Whether it's attitude or style, we get it from our mamas (and grandmamas). Example: Make sure you be back directly once youre done with the project. We like to sing this one to children.) He hasn't got the sense God gave a goose. 9) See, this right here is what we not finna do/ You've got the wrong one. "Druthers" roughly translates to "I would rather," meaning, "If had things my way" The phrase is celebrated in song in the hilarious, Southern-inspired Broadway musical Li'l Abner, in which the title character sings "If I had my druthers, I'd druther have my druthers than anything else I know." You don't watch out, I'm gonna cream yo' corn. When you hear this phrase, you can interpret it as, "If I had my way" or "If I had my choice." Example: Of course, hes fit to be tied! Do I look that dumb? You may still hear it if you stop into a country store. (Translation: A very large bra. One day your mom will try be one of your friends by asking you about who you are dating, or about the recent party that you went to, but the moment that you act like she is your actual friend, BOOM, it has turned into world war III. (Translation: Apparently pretty happy.). In the South, a hill of beans is its own measuring stick. Example: If it suits your fancy, definitely go for it. 2023 LetsLearnSlang.com - The Best Place to Learn New Slang Terms & Phrases, 101+ Hawaii Slang & Pidgin Phrases (Complete List), 30 Minnesota Slang Words, Sayings and Phrases (Complete List), 41 Alabama Words, Sayings & Phrases (Complete List), 130+ New York Slang Words and Meanings (The Ultimate Guide), Top 32 Words That Rhyme with Whom (With Meanings), Top 179 Words That Rhyme with Ween (With Meanings), Top 10 Words That Rhyme with Vinny (With Meanings), Top 19 Words That Rhyme with Version (With Meanings), Top 36 Words That Rhyme with Vent (With Meanings), Top 46 Words That Rhyme with Veins (With Meanings), Top 10 Words That Rhyme with Vault (With Meanings), Top 19 Words That Rhyme with Vast (With Meanings), Top 35 Words That Rhyme with Vase (With Meanings), Top 64 Words That Rhyme with Thrill (With Meanings). From adages and proverbs to their favorite Southern turns of phrase, these ladies sure do have a way with words. 1. 1. Answer: I've never heard the expression "wrong sudadderds", but it's an interesting way of saying "assbackwards!". If you've ever been caught in a summer storm, you know that you can feel, smell, and see a storm blowin' up across the wide Southern skies. It's almost always accompanied by a good-natured, perhaps slightly exasperated, shake of the head. .css-2x3ibz{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;display:block;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;font-family:Kepler,Helvetica,Arial,Serif;font-size:1.25rem;line-height:1.2;font-weight:normal;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-2x3ibz:hover{color:link-hover;}}Rob Lowe Shares the Secret to His Marriage, Fans Rally Around Valerie Bertinelli's Sad News, Reese Witherspoon Walks Red Carpet After Breakup, Here's When to Watch Every Episode of Rabbit Hole, 'Yellowstone' Stars Confirm Real-Life Romance, Flipping 101 with Tarek El Moussa Is Returning, See Joanna Gaines's Emotional Family Update, LeAnn Rimes Fans Are Freaking Out Over Sheer Dress, Miranda Lamberts Husband Posted a Thirst Trap. Discover and share Black Southern Women Quotes. Example: Lord willin and the creek dont rise, Ill be there to support you! Meaning: (Onomatopoeia) These Southern words mean that a person should keep quiet or stop talking. The loudest problems receive all the attention. Example: Make sure you be back directly once you're done with the project. Example: Wow, are you testing me? Example: Is she fixin to the garden? I'm gonna fetch me the most fetching filly I can find. Example: Our children are going on a trip. Youre so fulla s**t your eyes are brown. It can definitely be a softly worded insult, or it can mean something very complimentary. Meaning: (Phrase) Plumb tuckered out is used when a person is dead-tired because of physical exertion. Example: Come over here and Ill hug yer neck! Friend: You should probably pull over and get gas, youre on EMe: "I know my car"Black people wait until the last possible moment to fill up their gas tank. Meaning: (Phrase) This phrase is used to describe a girl that loves to look at herself in the mirror or is a girly-girl. And we're beginning to understand what a treasure that truly is. AKA: "It's time to go!" 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. Just like we do in church service, we verbally affirm what the other is saying when pure truth is being handed out. If I spend $40 plus dollars, I want something to show for it. 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. Answer: I have not heard that one before, but I would guess that it means "keep your head down if you want to avoid trouble". 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. Also called June beetles. Farmers know that if you do something 'til the cows come home, it's going to take all day. 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. Constantly filling up your gas tank feels like a waste of an expense. This is a phrase that our grandmother and great aunties would use to describe a woman who has been through her fair share of lifes ups and downs and we know many of them in the family. Question: What does it mean when someone says "You're sexier than socks on a rooster"? Black folks, most likely from the South of the Midwest, took it a step further and completely got rid of the second consonant sound, creating bae. If Grandma's calling you the "bee's knees," you must be doing something right. Question: What is the meaning of the Southern saying "Low in the hole"? ", "I'll knock you into the middle of next week looking both ways for Sunday!". AP/Doug Parker. Use this guide to decipher common Southern phrases and to translate Southern pronunciations. When the Lord was handin' out brains, that fool thought God said. If his lips's movin', he's lyin'. So dumb he couldn't pour piss out of a boot with the instructions written on the heel. Meaning: (Phrase) A hissy fit is a tantrum done by a child who does not know how to control and direct his or her emotions. ), Or this one: "His heart is a thumpin' gizzard." Function: Noun. "One monkey don't stop no show" is pretty straight forward. These series of gifs are the epitome of "See, this right here is what we not finna do": Black people are great "hype-men" for one another. (When shes more pissed off. Take a look at some of our favorite Southern sayings that we just couldn't live without. Example: Hes like a bull in a China shop. Bless your heart Meaning: (Expression) The expression "bless your heart" is a Southern-style slang that women use when speaking ill about somebody. That means whatever you're talking about is worth less than very little. If you're traveling to Texas, here is Texas slang to help you out. Whatever cranks your tractor. Meaning: (Phrase) The term knee-high to a bullfrog is a term used to describe the age difference between two people talking. I can't hear a lick with all this hooplah. I'll slap you to sleep, then slap you for sleeping. Copyright 2023 Interactive One, LLC. Meaning, do I like like a simpleton? I suggest you quit your bellyachin! Hes happier than a dead pig in the sunshine. He's about as useful as a screen door on a submarine. Southern Living. It means that a person is acting innocently trying to hide something in order for him or her to deceive others. Andrew LaSane. 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. We always have that one family member who just cant stay out of trouble. I have yet to see a reparation check for the work my ancestors did. 30 Hilarious Southern Sayings That are Sure To Impress the Locals, Rob Lowe Shares the Secret to His Marriage, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. Example: Youre proud as a peacock, yet you cant prove anything! Example: He sure is goin to hell in a handbasket if he doesnt help himself. Photo: H. 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If it had been a snake, itd bit you. So, lets learn the Southern slang words and phrases to sound like a local now! She is so ugly, her face would turn sweet milk to clabber. The Migos, make catchy club records like "Bad and Boujee". Bless your heart. Meaning: (Noun) A ding-dong is a person who lacks common sense because he or she is mentally challenged. Do you have McDonald's money is the first-ballot Hall of Fame, Stephen Curry unanimous MVP, GOAT, Michael Jordan of black phrases. Grandma would not recommend buying something sight unseen. Answer: Well it all depends on who is saying it and the intention. I cant believe youre home! Meaning: (Phrase) The phrase suits your fancy is another term for do what you want or do as you please.. It is used to describe the human anatomy like the heart. Southerners have much more colorful ways of accusing a liar.). 4. You make your bed hard, you gotta lay it This one is an ultimate throwback. Example: What in the Sam Hill are you wearing? I was so appalled and hurt that I had to ask this dreadful question, because at the moment he definitely was not my mans. (Spelling a phonetic guess). People with this lack of exposure to anything considered different, are quick to proclaim another person's speech improper or incorrect. Explore our collection of motivational and famous quotes by authors you know and love. Cape Hatteras National Seashore on the Outer Banks of North Carolina is a great place to RV. See our privacy policy. That man is talking with his tongue out of his shoe. Meaning: (Phrase) When a person is extremely mad to a point where he or she needs to be restrained, he or she is fit to be tied. I been running all over hell's half acre. It can also refer to a person without a care in the world. I suwanne! Settle in, because whatever we're talking about is going to take all day. She's so ugly I'd hire her to haunt a house! (not invited and treated wrong) Give down the country. As soon as this phrase is said, you immediately stop what you're doing and head over to see what happened. Meaning: (Phrase) the term tickled pink is used in a more positive thinking way, meaning a person is delighted. Example: Jerk a knot in your tail if you dont want to be reprimanded in the middle of the supermarket! And bring me something useful if you dont want me to find something else! The time will pass anyway. Meaning: (Phrase) Barking up the wrong tree is a term used when you are talking to the wrong person. Someone once said that when you visit the South, you need a translator. Rather, when this phrase is used, we'd like you to mind your manners and stop acting inappropriately. Well be home on Saturday night. Because National Parks are often located far off the beaten path, and sometimes even in wilderness areas, visitors need to plan ahead to get the most out of their visits. It's so dry the trees are bribing the dogs. Updated. That makes about as much sense as tits on a bull. Note: A. She could start an argument in an empty house. Well butter my butt and call me a biscuit. Instead of "Well, I swear," Southerners have adopted a geographically inspired alternative. I dont know why Black people just cant say "I have to go, good talking to you, bye". Once someone has said God knows my heart, just know theyve already made up in their mind that they are A) Currently sinning B) About to sin C) Premeditating a future sin D) Justifying a past sin or E) All of the above. Some people say it's a derogatory statement, others have told me it's a good thing. Example: Goodness gracious! We kin see clear to the promised land! Forget corporal punishment, although they are good at that too. Suicide Note Revealed After Shocking Death. Its drier than a popcorn fart round these parts. God knows my heart is code for Yes, I know my actions are wrong but God knows that deep down inside I want to do good; just way way deep. You've got that part on there Wrong Sudadderds." You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. "She has her nose so high in the air she could drown in a rainstorm." Getty Images. You know when someone makes a mistake and then lies to you about it, but the lie is so bad that you're actually more offended by the terrible lie than the actual misdeed itself? Because "Whose Mans Is This" is only said when someone did something so wild and outlandish, the rest of the party needs to know where this person came from and who brought them, because it is time for them to go. Example: Yall need to quit fighting about some dumb girl. But saying, "no, you do not look like Boo-Boo The Fool" is worse than a wrong answer, because duh, the question is rhetorical. 1. It's been hotter'n a goat's butt in a pepper patch. This phrase is usually followed by an adjective or a descriptive noun. As a transplanted Yankee living in the South, I am often surprised and amazed by the colorful Southern expressions I hear. Apparently, Southern men are not stuck up.). Grandma might whisper this one over her hymnal if she sees you cutting up in church on Sunday morning. Meaning: (Noun) Gizzard is one of the weirdest yet cleverest Southern words today. Meaning: (Phrase) You aint right is a term used for a person acting like he or she is mentally challenged. Example: Hi! Hows yer mama n them? "Bless your heart" and "Take your sweet time" might seem like sympathetic phrases but they're not always. It's cold enough to freeze the tit off a frog. This statement will be affirmed to you with a swiftness when you seem to forget who exactly you are speaking to. A multipurpose Southernism. He's about as useless as a screen door on a submarine/a trapdoor on a canoe. One of the most recent times is when he dyed his hair several colors trying to look like a rainbow sherbet push-pop. While this phrase may sound made up, it's simply our multisyllabic manner of saying something is askew. Meaning: (Phrase) The term dont get your feathers ruffled is used when a person is about to get mad or annoyed. I'm so poor I can't afford to pay attention. Won't hit a lick at a snake. Of course you don't have McDonald's money, you could be as young as young as five or six years old. (I don't know what a "haint" is, but apparently a scalded one can run really fast!). 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. What you did is out of the question! 2. "Well I s'wanee" evokes the Southern Suwannee River. You're working too hard to convince people who are already on board. 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. Example: My ears hurt because he cant carry a tune in a bucket with the lid on it. Example: Careful, now. The parent will promptly respond with "Do I look like Boo-Boo The Fool?". Or opaque. 2. She's pretty as a pumpkin but half as smart. But we declare if your only knowledge of Southern sayings comes from Gone With the Wind, you're missing out on a lot of Southern expressions. For non, Los Angeles residents, that's the same time it would take you to commute from New York City to Philadelphia on the train. If brains were leather, he wouldn't have enough to saddle a junebug. Example: Wow, he really is goin to town for that new girl of his. Here are a few famous Black people sayings that you may or may not know. (Whatever makes you happy.) Your ears mustve been burnin. Question: What does the phrase "he's dumber than a mud fence" mean? Question: Don't you think the "pants so tight you can tell his religion" refers to men and circumcision? Meaning: Closer than East Jesus, yet farther than yonder. As much as I love Kanye, I've unfortunately had to use "Whose mans is this?" Southerners adopted this phrase wholeheartedly from its early usages in 1700s England and Scotland (where it meant "common sense"). It was also once used to warn against saying the devil's name for fear he would appear. Example: Well, I declare! Southerners have plenty of ways to express surprise, another example of which is "Well I'll be John Brown," sometimes also said as "Well I'll be John Browned." This expression refers to John Brown. Meaning: When you have to use the bathroom really, really bad. If I had a dog as ugly as you, I'd shave his butt and make him walk backwards. These are words you do not want to hear If you're out at a function enjoying yourself. Do you remember me? It's plain as a pig on a sofa. Example: You are cute as a button, and apparently a bright student! You don't have a job and you probably dont have an allowance because why would your parents pay you to do what youre supposed to do while living their household. Example: You made this pecan pie? These skies can darken at a moment's notice, and summer afternoons often see winds churning and heavy rain clouds blowing in to cool that Southern summer heat. This occurs when someone feels too comfortable with you and has taken your demeanor as an indicator that anything can be said or done. Its hotter than two rabbits screwin in a wool sock! This isn't a new phenomenon. Meaning: (Phrase) When someone says this phrase to you, he or she is telling you to have better manners. Ugly. Do you want anything? Black parents rarely acquiesce to the non-life sustaining requests of their children. HIs britches are so tight they make his legs look like hot dogs. I think the "oh, my hind foot" expression is just a cleaned up version of, "oh, my a**. It was bad as all get out. Meaning: (Phrase) The phrase goin to hell in a handbasket is a phrase used for someone who is hopeless and will deteriorate because of endless problems. Lawd, people will be able to see to Christmas! It's not a southern expression, but might fit the bill. Your parent couldn't care less how you and your friends converse with one another. In the 1900s, the word evolved, taking on a Southern spin as well as new meanings such as "courage" and "get-up-and-go.". Don't piss on my leg and tell me it's rainin'! Meaning: (Noun) Yall is a combination of two words you and all which makes it a unique Southern word. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. When you're in the South, "over yonder" is a distant directionany direction. I'm sure if you're a mother now, you may find yourself saying. America has flourished on the backs of black people; our labor, services, and ingenuity. Things Only Southern Moms Say To Their Daughters, Things You'll Only Hear In A Southern Grocery Store. This is the couth Southerner's way of insulting your intelligence without using so many words. "It was and remains an insulting way to describe a Black person because it suggests that they are 'too big for their britches' or are demonstrating a sense of dignity or autonomy they are not. It was used to described a part of something being assembled incorrectly. We have inherited their styles, their heirlooms, and more than a few of their favorite sayings as well. Example: I cant believe you couldnt find your phone. Example: If you have common sense, you wouldnt be in this situation. Those pants were so tight I could see her religion. Im so poor I couldnt jump over a nickel to save a dime.
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