Ann Posted January 30, 2006 Share Posted January 30, 2006 Being a southern gal from Tennessee, I can relate to all of these. Tina and Charlie should be right in here with me on this one...lol Southernisms 1.) Only a true Southerner knows the difference between a hissie fit and a conniption, and that you don't "HAVE" them, -- you "PITCH" them. 2.) Only a true Southerner knows how many fish, collard greens, turnip greens,peas, beans, etc. make up "a mess." 3.) Only a true Southerner can show or point out to you the general direction of "yonder." 4.) Only a true Southerner knows exactly how long "directly" is - as in: "Going to town, be back directly." 5.) All true Southerners, even babies, know that "Gimme some sugar" is not a request for the white, granular sweet substance that sits in a pretty little bowl on the middle of the table. 6.) All true Southerners know exactly when "by and by" is. They might not use the term, but they know the concept well. 7.) Only a true Southerner knows instinctively that the best gesture of solace for a neighbor who's got trouble is a plate of hot fried chicken and a big bowl of cold potato salad. (If the neighbor's trouble is a real crisis, they also know to add a large banana puddin'!) 8.) Only true Southerners grow up knowing the difference between "right near" and "a right far piece." They also know that "just down the road" can be 1 mile or 20. 9.) Only a true Southerner both knows and understands the difference between a redneck, a good ol' boy, and po' white trash. 10.) No true Southerner would ever assume that the car with the flashing turn signal is actually going to make a turn. 11.) A true Southerner knows that "fixin'" can be used as a noun, a verb, or an adverb. 12.) Only a true Southerner knows that the term "booger" can be a resident of the nose, a descriptive, as in "that ol' booger," a first name or something that jumps out at you in the dark and scares you senseless. 13.) Only true Southerners make friends while standing in lines. We don't do "queues", we do "lines," and when we're "in line," we talk to everybody! 14.) Put 100 true Southerners in a room and half of them will discover they're related, even if only by marriage. 15.) True Southerners never refer to one person as "y'all." 16.) True Southerners know grits come from corn and how to eat them. 17.) Every true Southerner knows tomatoes with eggs, bacon, grits, and coffee are perfectly wonderful; that redeye gravy is also a breakfast food; and that fried green tomatoes are not a breakfast food. 18.) When you hear someone say, "Well, I caught myself lookin' .. ," you know you are in the presence of a genuine Southerner! 19.) Only true Southerners say "sweet tea" and "sweet milk." Sweet tea indicates the need for sugar and lots of it - we do not like our tea unsweetened. "Sweet milk" means you don't want buttermilk. 20.) And a true Southerner knows you don't scream obscenities at little old ladies who drive 30 MPH on the freeway. You just say, "Bless her heart" and go your own way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cindi o'h Posted January 30, 2006 Share Posted January 30, 2006 All really good, Ann! And so true! Some of them, I don't know what they truly mean, so I am out of the official loop. I have noticed some others If a Southerner wants to carry you uptown, you need to know that you will be riding in a car or pick-up. If a Southerner just had their picture made, it means that someone just snapped it or took it. If a Southerenr says to cut that radio up, they don't need the scissors, just reach over and turn the volume to louder! I got a little Southern in me, but not much. Cindi o'h Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ann Posted January 30, 2006 Author Share Posted January 30, 2006 Hey Cindi....just let me know which ones you need to know about and I can fill you in!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Wood Posted January 30, 2006 Share Posted January 30, 2006 Sho' 'nuff! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cindi o'h Posted January 30, 2006 Share Posted January 30, 2006 it is #8 that bothers me.. why does it have to be so ambiguous? Just down the road... one or twenty miles... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teacake Posted January 30, 2006 Share Posted January 30, 2006 "Just down then road" is all about perspective. In other words: if I was fixin to go to Atlanta from Columbus (100 miles or so), and was going to stop somewhere for dinner (lunch to you Northerners), I would say that we would stop down the road which may be 40-50 miles like in Newnan because it is not real close to Columbus but not all the way to Atlanta, ' bout half-way. But, if I was going to stop in Columbus before leaving the city limits, we would be stopping "before we leave" to eat. Clear as mud, now? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teacake Posted January 30, 2006 Share Posted January 30, 2006 P.S. Because Atlanta is "a right far piece" as it is the whole trip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fay A. Posted January 30, 2006 Share Posted January 30, 2006 You forgot one. A true Southerner will not only ask after your Mama, but they'll care about the answer... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ann Posted January 30, 2006 Author Share Posted January 30, 2006 Thank you Teacake....Couldn't have said that all any better myself. Now Cindi...got the idea???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cindi o'h Posted January 30, 2006 Share Posted January 30, 2006 I like that..clear as mud. And they are always twix'n somethin'. or twixt this and that.. another direction thing. Down yonder..twixt the bayou and whatever else. Here is another one. I was visiting Dad and step daughter and I donned our bikinis to scrub down Dad's plane. I told her I was hoping to get some color. She turned pale. A few minutes later she asked me what I meant by that, I told her I wanted to get a suntan. She said to say, " I hope to get some sun." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tnmynatt Posted January 31, 2006 Share Posted January 31, 2006 Ann, On #8, Charlie thought you were going to say right near and pert near. Pert near meaning pretty near. We aren't clear on which one is closer--right near or pert near. Love the fried chicken, cold potato salad and banana pudding. Perfect! I guess this one is going away with all the health consciousness. I use the "fixin" to do something pretty often. This was a fun one! Thanks Ann. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fay A. Posted January 31, 2006 Share Posted January 31, 2006 Oh! And don't forget when someone asks how you are you might answer with "Fair to middlin'." (my roots are in the East Tennessee Mountains and the Marble Mines of Alabama) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jyoung20 Posted January 31, 2006 Share Posted January 31, 2006 I have a couple; 1. Anybody ever been "stove up"? 2. Too big for their britches. 3. When I was growing up we would "go hog wild". 4. Anybody ever been "grabbling"? or "cow-tipping"? 5. Well, shut my mouth. I live in Tennessee now, but am a Mississippi gal--grew up way back in the country around the corner from the man Jeff Foxworthy is always talking 'bout! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ann Posted January 31, 2006 Author Share Posted January 31, 2006 Hey Fay...had no idea you had East Tennessee roots? That's where I was born and bred. Hey...how about this one? When someone says..."See You Tommorrow" response is "Lord Willin' and the Creek Don't Rise" Now that I'm a city gal, I say creek but many people where I'm from still say "crick" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pritchie Posted January 31, 2006 Share Posted January 31, 2006 Pure southern here. I don't have the big dress and hat, just the accent. Pamela Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cindi o'h Posted January 31, 2006 Share Posted January 31, 2006 And how Bout "I cotton to it, him, her, this, or that??" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cindi o'h Posted January 31, 2006 Share Posted January 31, 2006 and if'n we were to start talking food, Lord! we would be here all day! Sister in law said to me.."Oh, Cindi, I've got to go, Betty done brought a whole load o' corn." Now this is said very breathy and with 3 syllables for every one that exists. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fay A. Posted January 31, 2006 Share Posted January 31, 2006 Does anyone remember hearing: He's a/She's a pure caution, that one is. As near as I could tell that meant someone was a wild one in very amusing sort of way. (Since it was sometimes directed towards me I hope my understanding is correct ) But I'm open to hearing the true definition. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teacake Posted January 31, 2006 Share Posted January 31, 2006 So, did y'all hear 'bout the southern lady and the northern woman in the beauty parlor? Being the right proper genteel southern socialite, she asked the northern woman "Where you from?". The northern woman, somewhat snootily, replied "Well, I'm from a place where I was taught NOT to end a sentence in a preposition!". Pregnant pause, "Well, scuuuuse me, where you from, B...ch?" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ry Posted January 31, 2006 Share Posted January 31, 2006 Uh oh Fay...I was called a caution a lot growing up by my babysitter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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