Southern Slang: An Introduction

Some of you may need a dictionary of Southern Slang - I have to admit, I've looked up a quote or two since I've moved here.  The video is a perfect primer to living in the South!

Our Favorite Southern Slang from Southern Living

1. “Bless your heart”

A phrase used to express empathy; when used sarcastically, an insult

2. “Y’all”

Contraction of ‘you all’

3. “Buggy”

A shopping cart

4. “Hissy fit”

Dramatic loss of one’s temper

5. “Fixin’ to”

Preparing to do something

6. “Bad-mouth”

Talk negatively about

7. “Three sheets to the wind”

Drunk

8. “Lord willing and the Creek don’t rise”

“With good luck and no problems, it will be successful.”

9. “Dickens”

Euphemism for devil

10. “Catty-corner”

Diagonal

11. “Yonder”

Over there, at a distance

12. “Reckon”

To suppose or think

13. “A mind to”

Consider doing something

14. “Ugly”

Rude or unkind

15. “Tan your hide”

Expressing discipline to come

16. “Piddle”

To waste time or work aimlessly

17. “Too big for his britches”

Taking oneself too seriously

18. “Madder than a wet hen”

Furious, causing a scene

19. “Stove-up”

Muscles are sore/stiff

20. “Knee-high to a grasshopper”

“When I was a child...”

21. “Nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chair”
             To be skiddish, jumpy

22. “6 of one, half dozen of the other”

Both options are equal

23. “Happy as a pig in mud”

Blissfully content

24. “Pocketbook”

A purse

25. “Fat as a tick”

Full after a good meal

26. “Pitching a fit”

Causing commotion about something

27. “Stinks to high heaven”

Of poor quality; has a strong, unpleasant odor

28. “Slow as molasses”

Moving painfully slow

29. “Mind your manners”

“Be polite.”

30. “I declare” or "I do declare"

An exclamation of surprise

31. “Hold your horses”

“Be patient.”

32. “Fit to be tied”

Very angry/upset

33. “Cute as a button”

Adorable, charming

34. “Don’t get your feathers ruffled”

“Don’t let it bother you.”

35. “That dog won’t hunt”

“It’s a bad idea.”

36. “I don’t have a dog in that fight”

“I don’t have a stake in the outcome of this situation.”

37. “Like water off a duck’s back”

Without any effect; easily

38. “Preaching to the choir”

Making a point to someone who agrees with your position

39. “Pot calling the kettle black”

Guilty of the same thing you’re accusing the other of

40. “Sweatin’ like a sinner in church”

Sweating profusely