I've mentioned Susan before.
Susan is my 64 year old fountain of menopausal wisdom friend that I work with from time to time. She's a Southern lady born and bred from the top of her head to the tips of her toes.
Susan is semi retired. She's our go-to-fill-in-girl when we're short handed at work. Which means she's been on the job a few days more than what she'd like to be lately.
Susan comes in to get away from her retired hubby whom she loves but she admits that if she doesn't get away from him from time to time she's likely to kill him. (Preach on Sister!)
Anyway, everyone was congregated in my office during a slow afternoon this week and we're "jawing" about what's happening in our lives. My boss was relating a story of woe from her weekend when I hear Susan say "Why bless your heart."
My head snapped up and I started laughing. Everyone looks at me and I say "Isn't that Southern for "You sure are a stupid idiot?""
Susan colors up and and everyone starts laughing. My boss is laughing the hardest. "I guess we all know how you think now." She says.
This got me to thinking about back-handed compliments and regional sayings.
Living in the South for the last 13 years, you have a tendency to pick up on a few phrases that the natives use. I'd love to be able to say things like "Bless your heart!" but being a displaced Yankee, it just sounds wrong. Like I'm not part of the club. But I do love to hear the natives talk "colorful" like that.
So I googled "Southern Phrases" and found this list. Some of which had me laughing. I need to learn a few of these...
Nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs.
That’d make a preacher cuss.
That child’s been beat with a big ole ugly stick.
Don’t pee down my back and tell me it’s raining!
On me like stink on a polecat!
If you can’t run with the big dogs, stay on the porch.
And my personal favorite... Well, butter my butt and call me a biscut!
Do ya'll have any favorite local sayings?
I so love southern sayings! In my former life, we had a friend from Texas who had the funniest sayings. The only one I can remember right now, I can't post!
ReplyDeleteThis is funny. The bless your heart is pretty funny too.
ReplyDelete@ 3Beeze Homestead
Reckon your favourite is the best one :)
ReplyDeleteI was selling a piece of inheritated real estate here in California for a gal in North Carolina...and whenever she corrected me she would say:"Now I don't mean this in an ugly way, but....". I so loved that saying! I sprinkle it around in my conversation whenever I can...and YES it sounds stupid coming from a Yankee!...but I don't mean that in an UGLY way!
ReplyDelete'Mash the button' when turning off a light.
ReplyDelete'Hose pipe' is another name for the water hose.
'Can you carry me to the store' Drive them to the store.
"Swing a dead cat without hitting one' is a phrase for too many people/things in a room. Sorry to the feline contingent.
'Get up with them' means you'll talk to them later.
Loads more.
Don't know if this is a Southernism, but how about "if my future was any brighter I'd need sunglasses"
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh yep you got those phrases right,Im from the south too lol.Since I've been gone for awhile everytime I go home I laugh alot!
ReplyDelete