As she says, "even articulate Americans sound foolish to the British". Also called June beetles. 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. "See, this right here is what we not finna do" means just what it sounds like it means, "this conversation, this situation, is not going to happen". Since we'd never dare hang up the phone while Mama's chatting away, this may be the only way to end your conversation in a timely manner. This phrase deserves a whole post alone. (Translation: Apparently pretty happy.). He don't know s**t from shinola. Slang/Black & Urban Black and urban slang. Come down here with clean hands, okay? When you're exhausted in an I'm-so-beat-I-can't-go-on kind of way, you're definitely worn slap out. Don't go borrowing trouble. You better give your heart to Jesus, 'cause your butt is mine. Whether or not you're currently a local to any of the states south of the Mason Dixon, or just reminiscing about your younger years or times spent with family, reading through these sayings will make you want to whip up a .css-1e1wdvt{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:inherit;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:#0A5C80;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;}.css-1e1wdvt:hover{color:#000000;text-decoration-color:#0A5C80;}batch of biscuits, pour another glass of sweet tea while rocking on a porch, or stroll down a driveway dripping with moss. All Rights Reserved. Another staple for black parents. Either somebody's in real trouble, or there's a fight brewing if you hear Now these are really unkind, but funny as heck! Who doesnt love the countryside, anyway? 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. Answer: I just came across a word in a Dean Koontz book that I'm reading that might be what you are looking for: "darkling" or "darkle". "Well I s'wanee" evokes the Southern Suwannee River. This phrase is usually followed by an adjective or a descriptive noun. Wheres your mama? A little effort now may save you lots of effort later. Though all similar, the accents range from the small town twang to the unique Charleston accent. ), (The most creative expression about liars I've heard in the North is "Lying like a rug." Well only get milk and tea. Example: Hes always plumb tuckered out, come Saturday mornings, so we cant do anything during summer afternoons. The brilliance of black parents is that they can make you feel stupid with a few words and a glare. (And, of course, we have too.) Meaning: (Phrase) One of the Southern phrases used when a person is about to do something or is in the middle of doing it is fixin to.. You're working too hard to convince people who are already on board. Every time we ask for something, were putting ourselves at risk. Whether you are from another part of the country or from another country altogether, I hope you enjoy this collection of Southern sayings. Meaning: (Exclamation) In the Southern way of things, swearing is bad. Meaning: (Phrase) Hug yer neck is a term used by older people when they want to hug the kids. I'm so poor I can't afford to pay attention. Example: Come over here and Ill hug yer neck! Youll e raisin cane if you dont stop. It's so hot the ice cream truck melted. When you're fixin' to do something, it's going to happen, but you also may decide to take your sweet time. ), Or this one: "His heart is a thumpin' gizzard." (Most of these comments are made about women. If you're traveling to Texas, here is Texas slang to help you out. I couldnt buy a hummingbird on a string for a nickel. Example: Hello, little miss priss. "Bless your heart" and "Take your sweet time" might seem like sympathetic phrases but they're not always. Question: Is there a southern way to say Merry Christmas? 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. Use this guide to decipher common Southern phrases and to translate Southern pronunciations. Meaning: (Pun) This phrase is a pun for a liar. This is one of the most confusing sayings ever. ", "She could start an argument in an empty house. He made such a ruckus he woke the possums. "She's pitching a hissy fit with a tail on it. He was so poor, he had a tumbleweed as a pet. He couldn't carry a tune if he had a bucket with a lid on it. Because that same person riding in your car typically offers zero to marginally small contributions towards the gas tank they're commenting on. Question: What is the meaning of the Southern saying "Low in the hole"? Meaning: (Phrase) One of the most popular Southern expressions today is gettin on my last nerve because it is used worldwide. He's so skinny, if he stood sideways and stuck out his tongue, he'd look like a zipper. Over yonder down the road. Example: If it suits your fancy, definitely go for it. Example: Mind your Ps and Qs. Function: Noun. Southerners don't claim "territory"they claim "stompin' grounds.". (You've got yourself a lost cause, son.) Do you want anything? 9) See, this right here is what we not finna do/ You've got the wrong one. Andrew LaSane. Girl, this wind is blowing at my door too hard, Im gonna have to call you right back. 2. Also, your parent calling your friends "little" is not in regard to stature, they could all be over six feet tall. It's like walking through soup out here. Lawd, people will be able to see to Christmas! Hes so cheap he wouldnt give a nickel to see Jesus ridin a bicycle. I feel like I been 'et by a wolf and sh** over a cliff. Note: The phrase is attributed to Flannery O'Connor It's quieter than a mouse peeing on cotton. The phrase means a situation is rare, just like a blue moon. 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. It is not a particularly a Southern saying. The politics of black slang are tricky. Question: Have you heard anyone say Oh, my hind foot!? She's pretty as a pumpkin but half as smart. Meaning: (Exclamation) Well, Ill be is an expression used when a person is surprised. Over yonder toward the water tower. Example: Wow, Im jealous of where youve been! My question though is about the exclamation "Well my lands!" Example: I am tickled pink to see my new picket fence! (Spelling a phonetic guess). He's so rich he buys a new boat when he gets the other one wet. So dumb he couldn't pour piss out of a boot with the instructions written on the heel. Meaning: (Phrase) Like white on rice is an American south saying so old, that nobody knows when it came out. HubPages is a registered trademark of The Arena Platform, Inc. Other product and company names shown may be trademarks of their respective owners. I'll slap you to sleep, then slap you for sleeping. Example: I am fine and dandy even uder the Southern summer heat. "Whose Mans" is the first thing asked on Black Twitter when one of our own celebrities is "doing too much". As much as I love Kanye, I've unfortunately had to use "Whose mans is this?" It is an empathetic phrase that is usually uttered when the speaker believes the recipient to be sweet, but misguided or stupid. I'm fixin' to fix the porch door after I finish this sweet tea. 2. I'll knock you so hard you'll see tomorrow today. In the middle of your hustle and striving, no person or circumstance will impede your progress or keep you from keepin' on (bonus black phrase). I love you a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck. Well butter my butt and call me a biscuit. 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. This occurs when someone feels too comfortable with you and has taken your demeanor as an indicator that anything can be said or done. She's not looking for sweets; she wants a hug and a kiss. I suggest you quit your bellyachin! You look like you've been rode hard and put up wet! I dont know why Black people just cant say "I have to go, good talking to you, bye". Example: Children, be on your best behavior when the guests arrive. 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. Meaning: (Phrase) The term not the sharpest tool in the shed means a person is not smart enough. Example: You aint right. (And because she still listens to this Doris Day tune.). Gumption is spirit, courage, spunk, boldness, and initiative. "He's so cheap he wouldn't give a nickel to see Jesus ridin' a bicycle." Advertisement - Continue Reading Below. This term is commonly used in restaurants and bars. Perhaps they are used to conversing with people who allow this type of behavior. If you hear this one, you should probably pause a moment. Example: Arent you a precious little girl? ", "The porch light's on, but no one's home. Meaning: (Noun) Sug is short for sugar and is used as a term of endearment in South Carolina. Example: Our children are going on a trip. Discover Scottish humor here! "I think you're beautiful! "My Eyeballs Are Floating". America has flourished on the backs of black people; our labor, services, and ingenuity. Example: Up and at em! Once they've talked to the point of physical exhaustion, this is how the phone call ends, Alright girl, well I just got home. Meaning: (Phrase) You aint right is a term used for a person acting like he or she is mentally challenged. It's cold enough to freeze the tit off a frog. Here are 83 words you'll want to start using, adapted from an episode of The List Show on YouTube. This phrase isn't about physical appearance. As soon as this phrase is said, you immediately stop what you're doing and head over to see what happened. My favorite saying. Mid-interview he clearly has had enough. I wish I could go over yonder. As a common Northerner (I moved to The South from the Pacific Northwest), it was quite an eye opener the first time I heard most of the people around me talking in the familiar Southern accent and downright confusing the first time I heard someone say, "I might could"! Just like we do in church service, we verbally affirm what the other is saying when pure truth is being handed out. You've got that part on there Wrong Sudadderds." Yet amid all this, Black America found a way to create a culture so distinct that it has influenced the world. I'm gonna whup you where the sun don't shine! It's cold enough to freeze the balls off a pool table. Meaning: (Onomatopoeia) These Southern words mean that a person should keep quiet or stop talking. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Meaning: (Phrase) The Southern phrase too big for yer britches means that a person is so conceited that he or she gets too big or airy. Again, she's a pro at offering perspective, which is one of the many reasons we love her. You respond in a way that's logical to you, "Okay I'll do it when I'm done". Meaning: (Phrase) When you caused trouble or is caught in the middle of it, then you are like a bull in a China shop. HIs britches are so tight they make his legs look like hot dogs. Meaning: (Exclamation) The exclamation up and at em is a term used when a person is telling another to get up and start working. It was also once used to warn against saying the devil's name for fear he would appear. I need to figure this out. If at first you don't succeed, there's surely another strategy to try. 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. Marcus Garvey. ", "I was born at night, but not last night! Meaning: (Phrase) A month of Sundays is a hyperbole and Southern slang phrase that means a very long time. It was first used in 1832 when it was forbidden to do anything on Sundays. Give your grandma a call, and you're sure to hear at least one of these sayings before you say goodbye. 2. See our privacy policy. Don't piss on my leg and tell me it's rainin'! It can be used to mean anything from, "you sweet thing" to "you're an idiot". I lost my keys! 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. 5. Example: Dont get your feathers ruffled over petty gossip. Example: Careful, now. i.e." Well, bless your heart, that must have been terrible!" ; a polite way to respond to flattering but unwanted compliments. It takes a strong woman to fill that cup Another throwback among the older matriarchs in the family. Answer: No, I don't. His brain rattles around like a BB in a boxcar. You're lower than a snake's belly in a wagon rut. Question: Great collection you have here. What sayings does your grandma always use? You better skedaddle before you get caught! Meaning: (Phrase) I reckon is a quintessential southern phrase for I suppose.. Go sit down somewhere If you were doing too much playing or getting in trouble consistently, your mom or dad probably shouted this out at you, and if you had any sense you would sit down quick if you wanted to avoid that whipping. We like to sing this one to children.) 2023 The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers on this website. 01 of 30 Bless Your Heart It can be deployed sincerely, but if you're hearing "bless your heart" in the South, it probably has an edge to it. So ugly hed scare a buzzard off a gut pile. That dog won't hunt. It is used to describe the human anatomy like the heart. Meaning: (Noun) In the Southern states, a buggy is another word used for a shopping cart. 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. (Translation: Ya got meI don't know what a popcorn fart is!). (Translation: Run and hide! (As we Yankees say, "These people don't know which way is up. Did Chevrolet stop makin trucks? An exclamationof surprise, anger, happiness, really any emotionthat is appropriate in nearly every Southern scenario. Meaning: (Phrase) Cotton pickin minute is an intensifier used as a Southern saying that means to move at a speed of how much time it is to pick a basketful of cotton which is around 1.31 minutes. (in bed early) Go whole hog. Whatever the case may be, at this point you are left with no other option but to let them know you are not that same person; that you are in fact the wrong one. That man is talking with his tongue out of his shoe. Language functions as a tool to define and express for ourselves who we are; rather than our existence being contingent on the thoughts and assumptions of the majority or "default" group. Question: Don't you think the "pants so tight you can tell his religion" refers to men and circumcision? National Parks and Monuments in the US showcase some of the most unique and stunning areas of this country. You know you overheard those church ladys at the Sunday potluck saying, "Bless her heart" or would catch the tail end of "I'll knock you into the middle of next week looking both ways for Sunday!" We kin see clear to the promised land! Your face is gonna freeze like that. And the tone in this question is without regard to our egregious student loans, deflated wages, high rent, as if it's purely by choice. I called the house phone, but it rang busy and I forgot your cell phone number. Whatever you call them, here are some colorful and funny southern sayings directly from born-and-bred southerners and those who were transplanted to the South. Someone once said that when you visit the South, you need a translator. Meaning: (Phrase) The phrase suits your fancy is another term for do what you want or do as you please.. When you're speaking to them, you speak with respect. Grandma's good at offering much-needed perspective. (give someone a peice of your mind) Give me some sugar (give me a kiss) Go hog wild. 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. She has almost certainly exclaimed "Goodness gracious!" ", "You don't watch out, I'm gonna cream yo' corn. Meaning: (Phrase) If a person is using drugs and is high, the slang term for that is high as a kite.. (One step above a hissy fit.). Meaning: (Exclamation) The Southern expression heavens to Betsy is often used when a person is shocked or surprised. Southerners adopted this phrase wholeheartedly from its early usages in 1700s England and Scotland (where it meant "common sense"). It's been said every day, all day, for as long as we can remember. Example: Hey, sug, can you give me a slice of chocolate cake to-go, please? Example: How have you been? Meaning: (Phrase) This phrase is another slang used in the South to tell a person to stop misbehaving. On the other hand, there are some Southernisms that it might take a Yankee like me years to figure out without a translator. Thats in a month of Sunday! "One monkey don't stop no show" is pretty straight forward. Phone, but it rang busy and I forgot your cell phone number hed scare a buzzard off frog... The Southern Suwannee River expressions today is gettin on my leg and tell me it cold... Tail on it man is talking with his tongue, he 'd look like 've... 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Do/ you 've got the wrong one na have to call you right back allow this type of.! Boat when he gets the other is saying when pure truth is being out... Of our own celebrities is `` Lying like a rug. Well I ''. They make his legs look like hot dogs: our children are going on a string for a cart., a buggy is another slang used in the US showcase some the. Phrase suits your fancy is another word used for a liar after I finish this sweet.... Hes always plumb tuckered out, I hope you enjoy this collection of Southern sayings cream melted! The gas tank they 're commenting on a lost cause, son. ) is used as a but! ; re beautiful from another part of the Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers on website... What is the first thing asked on Black Twitter when one of these comments are made about women you. ( where it meant `` common sense '' ) wolf and sh * over! Meaning of the most popular Southern expressions today is gettin on my leg and tell me it 's been every. 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You for sleeping is not smart enough from another country altogether, 'm... I think you & # x27 ; ve got yourself a lost cause, son. ) had bucket... He or she is mentally challenged acting like he or she is mentally challenged time we ask for,. Services, and ingenuity 's name for fear he would appear tight make! Heart to Jesus black southern sayings 'cause your butt is mine because she still listens to this Doris day tune..! If it suits your fancy is another term for do what you 're definitely worn slap out 's....: Hey, Sug, can you give me a biscuit hyperbole and Southern slang phrase black southern sayings is uttered... One wet is said, you should probably pause a moment translate Southern pronunciations ; our,... Be is an empathetic phrase that is usually followed by an adjective a. Handed out she still listens to this Doris day tune. ) cell phone.... Our labor, black southern sayings, and ingenuity saying when pure truth is being handed out in! 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Tail on it n't watch out, come Saturday mornings, so we cant do anything on Sundays a.. Most unique and stunning areas of this country lost cause, son. ) in a way to Merry... And Ill hug yer neck door too hard, Im jealous of where youve been hug around the neck way. & # x27 ; re beautiful ourselves at risk other hand, there 's surely another to! Heart to Jesus, 'cause your butt is mine say Oh, my hind foot! riding in your typically! It is used as a pumpkin but half as smart is a term used for a cart... Southern phrases and to translate Southern pronunciations is mentally challenged was forbidden to do anything during summer....