The Southern vernacular is distinct. Case in point, Buggy. If you are from the South, you know this IS your grocery store shopping cart. Those common Southern phrases that are used in everyday language makes total sense to the user, but, for someone who has never heard that phrase… it can be a definite learning experience.

The Southern dialect is deeply rooted in our colonial past with the integral interaction of various immigrant cultures. Likewise, other regions of the US developed similarly with native dialects and spoken vernacular.

A Southerner can speak to a “non native” of the South in welcoming, hospitable terms… because that’s what we do. We welcome folks here to our corner of the world. But don’t underestimate that “sugary, sweet tea tone” nor the intelligence of the Southern speaker. A true Southern knows that “you can catch more flies with honey than vinegar” with the power of words and actions… AND because those same words can leave you “wondering if your cornbread ain’t done in the middle”. That’s right, I surely reckon a well versed Southern can easily complement you and “Bless your heart” all in the same sentence. 😬

As a hardware store owner, I have had the opportunity to converse with our customers each day. We have have had the pleasure to meet and talk with people from all over the globe. That’s right, from literally every corner of the world in our small, Southern town, inside our hardware store.

As conversation would have it, we have been able to learn a few “new”Southern phrases over the last ten years and even shared a few iconic phrases with non-native Southerners to take back home with them to their corner of the world.

A powerful conversation starter for us at the hardware store most days is the status of the weather. Whether it is freezing cold, pouring rain, or a beautiful sunny day, Southerners say it perfectly, as we often experience the ever changing weather conditions within the same day/week.

I’m Just Sayin’… Southern Phrases and the Weather

1. It’s Hotter than blue blazes! meaning it’s hot outside and the blue part of flame is the hottest!
2. That rain was a Gully washer! short heavy rain storm
3. Boy, that was a Frog strangler… a big rain storm 
4. It’s RAW outside today… meaning it’s cold and wet/moisture in the air 
5. It’s hog killing weather. Very Cold Weather
6. It’s cold as all get out! Brr…
7. Looks like it might be blowin up a storm out there.

8. It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity

9. This is front porch sittin weather- mild weather, nice weather

10. Too hot to heat up the oven in this weather…

I’m Just Sayin… The Southern Greetings and the Long Goodbye

The Southern hello or greeting can take you back home… even though your Southern roots/home might be hundreds of miles away. It’s a way Southerners“visit with each other”. Likewise, the long Southern goodbye, makes total sense if you ever grew up in the South, and spent 30 minutes in a parking lot trying to leave somewhere saying “Let me let you go…” or watched your Mama try to get off the rotary phone with a friend, that’s in essence, the long Southern goodbye. Here’s a few of my favorites from this category:

1. Hey, not hi! 
2. Howdy, how y’all doin?
3. I’ll holler at you later! I’ll call you later
4. You good? Do you need anything? How are you?
5. I guess I’d better Skedaddle– get out of here, it’s time to go 
6. I haven’t seen you in a Month of Sundays– it’s been long time since we’ve seen each other
7. How’s your Mama and them? How’s the family doing
8. How you been doing? I’m upright and taking nourishment… meaning doing ok
9. How are you doing?? Fair to middlin’ Doing ok
10. How are you doing? I’m finer than Frogs Hair! Doing great! Couldn’t be better
11. Boy, you are a sight for sore eyes! Good to see you!
12. So, who is your mama and daddy??? Meaning, you meet another person for the first time and they ask… who are your people… making connections and learning about who you are
13. I’ve known her since she was knee high to a grasshopper- know her since she was a young child
14. As part of that long Southern goodbye, you might possibly hear this phrase, Lord willing and the creek doesn’t rise!
15. Finally, finishing off the long Southern goodbye with this final phrase, We’d better hurry up, we’re burning daylight! 

I’m Just Sayin…The Southern Meal

Dinner and Supper are the terms Southerners use to describe the afternoon and evening meals. Supper doesn’t have to be a formal affair. It can be a casual family meal where everyone gathers to eat a simple meal. The Southern table is no exception to amazing food and fellowship. You probably have heard of a few of these phrases as you have entered the Southern kitchen to help prepare a meal or gathered at the Southern table.

1. Many hands make light work. Working together we can get it done quickly
2. Sop– soak up … like a biscuit soaking up the last bit of gravy from your plate 
3. You didn’t eat enough to keep a bird alive… meaning you didn’t eat enough
4. I just need a smidge more of this… a little bit more
5. I got a Hankering… craving for
6. I’m so full, I’m about to bust my britches!!! Or I’m full as a tick!
7. Grab me a pack of Nabs… Lance peanut butter crackers, can be eaten for a snack, substitute for dinner/lunch when you are on the run…

8. Don’t throw out that bacon grease, put it in my mason jar. It’ll keep.

9. That’s Good potlikker… when cooking up a mess of collards or mustard greens, the remaining liquid gold is the potlikker.

10. Stringing up a “Mess” of green beans and “new potatoes”. A mess of green beans, not enough to run a full canner, but enough to feed the family… new potatoes, smallish potatoes just dug from garden and cooked with green beans usually. Now that’s summer cookin’.

11. Sit down and “fix you a plate”, meaning… make yourself at home, grab a plate, and load up on the good food!

12. Sonker, nope, that is actually a dessert! Read more about it here using the link… Sonker Summers

13. Mater sandwich– tomato sandwich 🍅

I’m Just Sayin…Strong Soul-Stirring Southern Phrases

These phrases are iconic and unforgettable… I’m just sayin’

1. Well, I’ll Be… a form of exasperation
2. Heavens to Besty! Similar to the phrase, oh my goodness!!
3. Lord, just kiss them up to Heaven! only the Good Lord can help them now… I’m at my wits end 
4. Bless! Or Bless Your Little Ol’ Heart…
5. Aren’t you just precious! Listen for the user tone with this one
6. I’m just worn slap out, Plumb tired – exhausted
7. Look at you… all gussied up! All dressed up
8. It’s all cattywampus … all out of sorts, not quite right 
9. If it had been a snake, it would have bitten me! It was right there under my sight, just couldn’t see it!
10. Take your own sweet time 
11. Boy, that really “got my goose”…got the best of me, stumped me
12. You’re just cute as button! Pumpkin or Sweet Pea… terms of endearment
13. Smack Dab– in the middle of doing something
14. “I’ll get to it dreckly”, meaning I’ll do it soon
15. Mash that button for me, like in an elevator you don’t push a button, you mash it.
16. I’m just gonna “Hunker” down over yonder … I’m staying home , not moving around, staying put
17. Fixin to… getting ready to do something 

I’m Just Sayin…Phrases A Southern Kid Never Wanted to Hear

If your Southern Mama or Daddy used these phrases in conversation with YOU growing up, you might have been a bit of trouble or needed to rethink your current situation… just sayin

1. “You weren’t raised in a barn”shut that door please!
2. Mind your manners/ Act like you have been to town before… meaning behave yourself in public places
3. Don’t make me tan your hide! Warning… trouble ahead 😬 if you don’t straighten up!
4. Y’all quit that wrasslin, or I’ll come over there and jerk a knot in you. 
5. Hold your britches, I’m comin!
6. Piddlin… messing around, not doing much or Lollygaggin, “movin slower than molasses”
7. Who is making all that ruckus? Who is making all that noise
8. Over there havin a hissy fit, all tore up over it, or don’t fly off the handle!
9. Quit being ugly– stop acting out
10. We need to have a come to Jesus meeting… we need to have a talk and come to terms about this situation
11. Let me put some Saave on it… the A sound is long… Salve- a cream or ointment put onto skin to soothe or heal  
12. That’s not cutting the mustard, in other words, you probably need to redo what you’re working on, not meeting expectations
13. Quit making a mountain outta that molehill… it’s really not that big of a deal as you think it is
14. OR as a kid if you ever said this to your Mama or Daddy before school… I just got Bus left… meaning you missed the school bus and you need a ride to school!!!! 🚌

I feel confident that there are a ton more Southern phrases that are very commonplace within our Southern community. But I’ll stop while I’m behind… 😂😬

I’ll close with one that Wayne, who worked many years at our hardware store used everyday as his daily farewell. This phrase maybe unfamiliar to you, but it is too good not to share his classic farewell with you today for my closing… “If you need me, I’ll call you”-Wayne Matherly