As some of y'all might know, I am from East TN but now call West TN my home and while both are in the south there are still variations ( A LOT OF VARIATIONS) in the way I talk and the way everyone else talks! That being said, it is that way all over the South so these sayings I am going to share with you, may not be exactly how your Mama said 'em, but you'll get the picture!
1) I bought it for a song.
That is a saying we use to describe gettin' a REAL good deal on something!
2) Does a cat have climbing gear?
This saying is used as a "well duh!" response.
3) Madder than a wet hen!
Have you ever encountered a wet hen? Well, it ain't pretty and I would steer clear at all costs!
4) Drunk as Cooter Brown.
Who knew, Cooter Brown is a real person! With quite a reputation! You can read about him here.
5) He doesn't have a pot to piss in or a window to throw it out of.
I am really glad that using a "pot"ty is not a common thing anymore! But back in the day, it sure was the norm. And if you didn't have a pot to pee in or a window to throw it out of, you were sure enough poor.
I am really glad that using a "pot"ty is not a common thing anymore! But back in the day, it sure was the norm. And if you didn't have a pot to pee in or a window to throw it out of, you were sure enough poor.
6) That makes about as much sense as tits on a bull.
This one makes me laugh cause I imagine someone trying to milk a mean old bull. Silly, isn't it?
7) Walkin' in High Cotton
Cotton is kind of a big deal in the south, so as a farmer high cotton is a true blessing!
Cotton is kind of a big deal in the south, so as a farmer high cotton is a true blessing!
8) As happy as a dead pig in the sunshine.
This one I had to do a little research on myself. Apparently, when a pig dies in his pen and is left in the sun, his skin draws up and leaves him with a smile on his face.
9) Can't Never Could.
Saying "I can't" just isn't acceptable. If you think you can't, you can't and you never could.
Saying "I can't" just isn't acceptable. If you think you can't, you can't and you never could.
10) It came a gully washer.
According to Wiktionary a gully washer is an intense, but unusually short lived, rainstorm.
According to Wiktionary a gully washer is an intense, but unusually short lived, rainstorm.
11) Do I look like I just fell off the turnip truck?
Finding the origin on this one is tough, it seems that there is no definite answer as to where it all started! I have read that it was made popular by Johnny Carson. The phrase falls in line right along "I wasn't born yesterday", meaning you aren't ignorant or insinuating that you have "been around the block a time or two".
Finding the origin on this one is tough, it seems that there is no definite answer as to where it all started! I have read that it was made popular by Johnny Carson. The phrase falls in line right along "I wasn't born yesterday", meaning you aren't ignorant or insinuating that you have "been around the block a time or two".
12) Good Lord willin' and the creek don't rise.
There seems to be a little controversy here! I suppose I have always assumed that the phrase was literal, as in if the creek got to high, you wouldn't be able to pass it. And that, like a lot of southern sayings, the grammar is incorrect but normal to the slang way people talk. There seems to be another theory that the phrase came from a Colonel writing a letter to the President and was referring to the Creek Indian Tribe which would make it grammatically correct. Which every theory you want to claim, it still means the same. As long as it is God's will and nothing gets in your way, it will happen!
There seems to be a little controversy here! I suppose I have always assumed that the phrase was literal, as in if the creek got to high, you wouldn't be able to pass it. And that, like a lot of southern sayings, the grammar is incorrect but normal to the slang way people talk. There seems to be another theory that the phrase came from a Colonel writing a letter to the President and was referring to the Creek Indian Tribe which would make it grammatically correct. Which every theory you want to claim, it still means the same. As long as it is God's will and nothing gets in your way, it will happen!
13) What in the Sam Hill?
Seems this phrase comes from the notoriety of yet another rascal from the past. Sam Hill was a man that had such a potty mouth that his name became a cuss word all on its own!
Seems this phrase comes from the notoriety of yet another rascal from the past. Sam Hill was a man that had such a potty mouth that his name became a cuss word all on its own!
14) Put on the dog.
To "put on the dog" means to make things fancy or put on your best!
To "put on the dog" means to make things fancy or put on your best!
15) Quit bein' ugly!
I think everybody's Mama has told them at some point to quit bein' ugly. Which is southern code for straighten up and act right!
I think everybody's Mama has told them at some point to quit bein' ugly. Which is southern code for straighten up and act right!
16) Clean as a whistle.
While there are several ideas about where this phrase originated, my favorite is in reference to the whistle sound a sword makes when it swishes through the air during decapitation. While it might be a messy answer, it sure makes it interesting!
While there are several ideas about where this phrase originated, my favorite is in reference to the whistle sound a sword makes when it swishes through the air during decapitation. While it might be a messy answer, it sure makes it interesting!
17) How do ya like them apples?
While a true Southerner never gloats, (Mama wouldn't like it) this is one of those phrases that might be said to you when a turn of events favors the person saying it. But I assure you, they are absolutely NOT gloating!
While a true Southerner never gloats, (Mama wouldn't like it) this is one of those phrases that might be said to you when a turn of events favors the person saying it. But I assure you, they are absolutely NOT gloating!
18) Don't let the screen door hitcha where the good Lord splitcha!
While a lot of Southern sayings add a little sugar, this one is a little different, it is more ummm direct! This is one way a Southerner may ask you to leave without hesitation and I suggest that you do so!
While a lot of Southern sayings add a little sugar, this one is a little different, it is more ummm direct! This is one way a Southerner may ask you to leave without hesitation and I suggest that you do so!
19) Spit in one hand and want in the other, see which one fills up faster.
One thing Southerners are a stickler for is workin' hard for whatcha got. That is exactly the meaning behind this phrase, actions are what get ya somewhere, not wishes! Wish for it, then go make it happen!
One thing Southerners are a stickler for is workin' hard for whatcha got. That is exactly the meaning behind this phrase, actions are what get ya somewhere, not wishes! Wish for it, then go make it happen!
20) Take it with a grain of salt.
This is a warning when hearing a tall tale (even though you might not realize it is a tall tale at the time). It is a well known fact that too much salt can ruin food, well the same is to be said about an exaggerated truth. Let's all go easy on the salt, it is better on the heart!
This is a warning when hearing a tall tale (even though you might not realize it is a tall tale at the time). It is a well known fact that too much salt can ruin food, well the same is to be said about an exaggerated truth. Let's all go easy on the salt, it is better on the heart!
21) I don't give a hoot.
Well, I think this one means something along the lines of ya can't be bothered to make a fuss.
Well, I think this one means something along the lines of ya can't be bothered to make a fuss.
22) Simmer Down!
We Southerners love our food and all too often our Mama's can be found in the kitchen. Well when the pot gets to boiling too hard, ya turn down the heat to simmer. Well, she expects the same thing outta her kids when they get too rowdy, "simmer down" means to calm yourself!
We Southerners love our food and all too often our Mama's can be found in the kitchen. Well when the pot gets to boiling too hard, ya turn down the heat to simmer. Well, she expects the same thing outta her kids when they get too rowdy, "simmer down" means to calm yourself!
23) Haven't seen you in a coon's age!
A long time ago, back before all the scientific technology we have these days, it was believed that Racoons (coons) lived for a LONG time. That is where the phrase was coined, inferring a long time.
A long time ago, back before all the scientific technology we have these days, it was believed that Racoons (coons) lived for a LONG time. That is where the phrase was coined, inferring a long time.
24) Don't put all your eggs in one basket!
Eggs break way too easy so it is better to collect a few per basket to ensure they don't all break and you are left with nothin'. This phrase is often used to encourage people to spread their resources a little so that if somethin' goes sour, you don't lose it all!
25) You catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar.
You best keep that smile on your face and be sweet if you want to get your way! Bein' ugly doesn't get ya anywhere!
I sure hope ya'll enjoyed this list and maybe learned a few things along the way (I know I did)! This is part one of a series (Southern Fried Fun) where we will take a look at different things that make us who we are! Y'all have a good weekend! We will see ya next week!
Eggs break way too easy so it is better to collect a few per basket to ensure they don't all break and you are left with nothin'. This phrase is often used to encourage people to spread their resources a little so that if somethin' goes sour, you don't lose it all!
25) You catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar.
You best keep that smile on your face and be sweet if you want to get your way! Bein' ugly doesn't get ya anywhere!
I sure hope ya'll enjoyed this list and maybe learned a few things along the way (I know I did)! This is part one of a series (Southern Fried Fun) where we will take a look at different things that make us who we are! Y'all have a good weekend! We will see ya next week!