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?
Haha! Love these. I'm southern and a few of these I've heard. Bless your heart is a popular one. Have you ever hear, "Well, I swannie"? Or, "Blow me down and call me shorty"? Lol! Loved your post.
ReplyDeleteDon't know if it falls into the same category as yours but one we hear around here a lot is, "Ya can't fix stupid."
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
Being originally from WV we used some of those sayings. Since moving the NC about 10 years ago I've gotten used to "mashing the button", hosepipes (water hoses. I have no idea where hosepipe fits?), and "smack your grandmama good." Just a few.
ReplyDelete