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We, in the South, take great pleasure in poking a little
fun at ourselves all'yall. So we have first included a selection of
Southern Colloquialisms and unique
words for you to enjoy, followed by a regional food dialect section
which explains food terms and eating rituals around North Carolina.Finally,
we recommend two books if you want even a deeper understanding of the
language and region. We believe that there is no language more musical
or fun than the Southern dialect and hope you enjoy!
'I had to go around my elbow to get to my thumb.'
When forced to do something that is simple, the hard way
.
'I'm fixin to go down the road a piece.'
I am going on a short trip.
'Gad night a ivin.'
Good grief!
'Bless her/his heart.'
Said after a criticism of someone.
'We better get on the stick.'
We better get started.
'You can't beat that with a stick.'
You can't find any fault with that.
'That dog won't hunt.'
I don't believe you.
'Like a chicken on a June bug.'
Doing something quickly.
'North Carolina heartburn.'
Suffering from ones trousers sticking to their body in hot weather.
'They've got more (insert choice
word here) than Carter has Liver pills.
'I wouldn't know him from Adam's housecat.'
I don't know the person.
'Afore noon.'
Before noon.
'When are we agwine?'
Are we going?
'Ah tay ya what.'
I tell you!
'Aim to.'
Intend to.
'Ain't fittin.'
Not right.
'Ain't got a lick a sense.'
Stupid.
'Don't that beat all git out.'
To the extreme.
'He/She's all heeled.'
He/she is well provided for, doing all right.
'All vine and no 'taters.'
Describes someone who is all talk and no action.
'All wool and a yard wide.'
Describes someone who is first class, genuine.
'As mad as a pig on ice with his tail frozen in.'
Plenty mad.
'I'll be dawg it.'
I'll be darned.
'Believe you me.'
Said to emphasize a point.
'Between hawk and buzzard.'
The twilight hour.
'Now that's a big'un.'
That is a big/incredible story.
'Theys be a blanket-stretcher.'
The person tells tall tales, also known as wind-jammin or wind spinnin'.
'Bore for the simples.'
A joking phrase that a hole should be drilled in the head of someone
who is joking around to let out the foolishness.
'Born tired and raised lazy.'
Said of someone who is without any drive.
'Breakin' it off in someone.'
To hurt with a cutting remark.
'She's just a bugalugin.'
She is moving around in an aimless way.
'Carryings-on.'
Mischeviousness or wild party.
'Chew yer own tabacco.'
To rely on yourself.
'To come out at the big end of the horn.'
To be successful.
'Cut a shine.'
Perform an action or gesture in a striking style or manner.
'Everything an'all.'
A phrase expressing completeness, the entire.
'I'm fixin.'
I'm preparing.
'Fixin.'
Eminent.
'Fix his wagon.'
Get revenge.
'Fo' Gawd, F' God.'
Exclamation said usually before an observation.
'Forty ways from Sunday.'
Going off in all directions.
'He's got a gracious plenty/ good many.'
He has many of something.
'Good ole boy.'
Southern male who is in control and in the know.
'We are gwine.'
We are going.
'Havin' the wrong end of the poker.'
Be on the losing side, a bad bargain.
'Heart in one's pocket.'
To become indifferent toward a woman whom one has been courting.
'We had a hog-killin' time!'
We had a highly enjoyable time.
'I'm here to tell you.'
Said for emphasis ex: I'm here to tell you that was not the way it
was.
'She's in a bad way.'
She is seriously ill.
'In and about.'
Approximately.
'He did that in a swivet.'
He did that in nervous haste.
'The work must a been done by some jackleg.'
The work was done by a semi-skilled artisan, and is of inferior quality.
'They keep close to the willows.'
They are conventional, conservative, modest.
'Man's gotta do what a man's gotta do.'
Southern male expression to explain the unexplainable when it is a
matter of honor.
'That kid shur' can multiply words.'
The child can whine or argue with parent(s) well.
'It's nearabout thar.'
Refers to location, almost or nearly arriving to a destination.
'It ought to be good.'
It should be good. Note: ought is synonymous with should.
'Ought to should.'
Is also said for should.
'I'm of a mind to git outta here.'
I am about to leave now.
'Why she's real pearten up.'
She is more lively.
'That's sum gooood poke.'
That was delicious pork we ate.
'He's a poke easy.'
He is a lazy, slow person.
'Precious.'
Said as a kind affectionate name for a lady.
'Mame' & 'Sir'
Used often to show respect for adult/person speaking to.
'Miss/Mr. (first name)'
Used by children to address adult family friend, shows respect to an
adult friend.
'Put the big pot in the little one.'
To provide extraordinary hospitality.
'Randeevoo'
Rendezvous.
'Shur'
To share.
'Wellllllllll shut my mouth.'
What all Yankees think Southerners say as an expression of wonder or
surprise.
'Soft mouth, sweet talks.'
To pacify.
'Uther'
Other.
Have fun with this! If you would like more information
on Southern Colloquialisms or Southern Culture we think you would
enjoy reading either of the following books:
Suddenly Southern by Mauren Duffin
Ward and
The Dixie Dictionary by Thomas W. Howard
Please feel free
to send any
NORTH CAROLINA SOUTHERN COLLOQUIALISMS that you would like us to consider
including in this collection.
Contact us at: nancy@LoveNC.com
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