If you’re new to the South,y’all might want to read this..

Jul 25th, 2009 by Kim in Random Thoughts

As a Yankee who has been a transplanted Southerner for close to half of my life, I have grown accustomed to many Southern expressions and even use a few of them myself.  If you are new to the South , it can be a real culture shock. I worked as a home health and hospice nurse for several years and met  many interesting  and wonderful folks covering territory in Georgia, Alabama and South Carolina, ( my home for the past 9 years).  To help avoid misunderstandings and total embarrassment, I am writing this handy guide to some common Southern expressions:

  • “Y’all”–  means– “you all” , equivalent to “you guys”  
  •  “Fixin to”" — means– “making preparations to”, “getting ready to”, etc      
  • ” Bein’ ugly”– means – ” being mean”
  • “Showin’ your butt”– means– “‘uncooperative , ornery”  I once had a patient apologize to me for “showin’ his butt” to me on a shift, and I was scratching my head trying to remember if  I had seen his  bare backside that evening.
  • “Carry”– means “to transport someone in your vehicle”, as in “Can you carry us to the store?” ( well, maybe, but I think my arms will get really tired ) 
  • “Buggy”– means– “shopping cart”– just give up on this one and ask for a buggy– it’s easier.
  • “Bellyfull” — means –”fed up”, as in “I’ve had a bellyfull of you Yankees thinking you know it all.”
  • “English Peas”– means – “plain old normal green peas”, not Black-eyed or Crowder
  • “Suite”( pronounced “Suit”)- means — “a set of furniture”– when  you hear that someone got a new bedroom suit, do not think “pajamas”
  •  “Pocketbook”– means–” purse or handbag”,– I personally think that a ladies wallet is called a pocketbook, maybe that is just me

                 I’m sure my list is not complete. If anyone thinks of  another, please leave a comment .  And to all the native Southerners who think I am bein’ ugly, this is all in fun– like when you tell me that I talk through my nose and have a funny accent :)

2 Comments

  • I grew up in West Virginia, where a “poke” was a bag (are you putting your lunch in a poke?)

  • I have never heard of a bag being called a “poke”. Weird. I thought of another Southern-ism the other day– instead of pushing a button, you “mash ” it. So funny on elevators– ” will you mash number 3 for me please ?”