Southernisms

Asking questions and learning about other cultures brings me joy. I also enjoy trying to convey our way of thinking to people who are not from the South. 

What’s it like growing up in the south?” You asked. Well, it’s like growing up anywhere else in the world. The way we talk, the food we eat, and the traditions we have cultivated. At least, that’s what I thought until I moved to the far North. Almost as far North as you can go in the U.S. After moving to Alaska, I realized everything normal to me may not seem normal to everyone else. Moving to Frozen North was a culture shock, but now that I’ve done it, I wouldn’t change it for anything. Being around people different than me has taught me so much about myself and my culture—the positive things and the things I need to change. Since we’ve been here, we’ve met people from around the globe. Enjoy my small gift of conveying the people and places that have formed who I am. Feel free to laugh with us if you’re not from the South. You can bet we laugh at things you do and say, too.

In the South, plums aren’t only a fruit. A plum can also be an adverb. “That’s plum silly what he did.”

“Bless your heart” can mean many things in the South. It can mean, “I’m sorry you feel bad.” Or “Thank you.” If someone does something nice. We also jokingly say, “You can say whatever you want to about someone if you follow up with “Bless their heart.”

“Hunky Dory” means everything is good.

“Fit to be tied” means I’m upset.

“Fair to Middling” means I’m okay.

“What in the Sam Hill” means “What’s going on here?”

Phrases

I’m fixin to means “I’m about to do something.”
I ain’t got no ide means. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Y’oughta means You should. “Y’oughta ask that gal out.” Shore as shootin means Absolutely.
Hottenanny sounds like Hoot and nanny. It can mean a gathering which involves dancing.
Thingamajig is when you can’t think of the actual word. “Hand me that thingamajig right there.”
What in tarnation can be a statement or a question, meaning. It can mean a lot of things. Like,
I’m surprised or what did you do? Or why did you do that? Or you don’t understand something.
“That beats all I ever seen.” Means Wow, that’s surprising or I’ve never seen anything like that.
“I hear ye.” Is a way of saying, “I agree with you.”
“Crazy as a Bessie bee, means you’re crazy.
Right cheer means right here. “ I left my car keys right cheer last night.”
“I ain’t got none means.” I don’t have any.”
Gaumed things up means make a mess. “You’ve gaumed that truck up till I can’t even get in it.”
“Man a live.” Means “You’re kidding me.”
Otter isn’t so much an animal to us as a word. “You otter go get you one of them new John Deer
tractors.”
“I’m bout to have a hissy fit.” Means I’m mad.
Madder than a mashed cat means I’m furious.
He ain’t no count means. The guy is bad news.
Been nair done at means I’ve been there, done that, and got the t-shirt.
“Well, I’ll be danged.” Can mean you’re surprised, mad, happy, or sad.
“I bout died.” Can mean you were scared, excited, or surprised.
“Yont won?” means Do you want something? “I’m goin to get a Coke. Yont won?”
After extensive interviews with friends who live or were raised somewhere other than the South.

Thar you go folks. I hope you enjoyed my Southernisms. Email me if you want more.

Until next time,

Shelly