While being in the South for a solid week or so, I've noticed some words that don't exactly mean the same thing as in the Midwest. After a few days, I've been able to pick up on some of the true Southern meanings and definitions. I'm sure there's only more to come, though.
1. Fixin'.
Midwestern logic: Something is broken, so you fix it.
Southern meaning: "Going to."
Ex: I'm fixin' dinner, do you want some?
2. Buggy.
Midwestern logic: An insect or little carriage.
Southern meaning: The shopping cart at a Piggly Wiggly.
Ex: Grab a buggy and meet me in the vegetable section.
3. Sweet tea.
Midwestern logic: McDonald's sweet tea, and honestly, not too good.
Southern meaning: Real tea that has sugar added to it when it was warm to produce an actually pleasant drink.
Ex: Oh man, I could go for some sweet tea right now.
4. South of the Border.
Midwestern logic: Mexico.
Southern meaning: A "tourist attraction" that is Mexican-themed and is the first exit off of 95 when you hit the North and South Carolina border. It's filled with weird shops, restaurants and activities, including mini golf and a snake sanctuary.
Ex: Dear Lord, they must be from out of town. They have South of the Border shirts.
5. Y'all.
Midwestern logic: "You all, you uncultured swine."
Southern meaning: "You all," but sweeter, like the tea.
Ex: "Hey, y'all!"
6. Yankee.
Midwestern logic: The New York baseball team
Southern meaning: A slang term referring to anyone that lives above the 39 parallel north line
Ex: Oh, that Yankee won't be able to stand the heat this summer. Got no idea what's coming.
7. Myrtle Beach.
Midwestern logic: BEACH! YEE!
Southern meaning: Giant tourist attraction, better known as Dirty Myrtle due to high foot traffic from vacationers.
Ex: Honestly, I'm not really feeling Dirty Myrtle. Let's do Folly instead.
8. Gumballs.
Midwestern logic: Gum + ball = chewy gum that can blow bubbles.
Southern meaning: Little round pokey pinecone things from the sweet gum trees.
Ex: Watch out for those gumballs, they'll poke ya!
9. Cook Out.
Midwestern logic: Firing up the grill and having a meal probably containing burgers, hotdogs, or kabobs.
Southern meaning: A delicious fast food burger joint.
Ex: What do you want for supper? We could swing by Cook Out.
So, to my friends, be prepared because I'll be fixin' for some Taco John's and Culvers when I return to the Midwest.
