Coming down south from Massachusetts for school I thought I knew what I was getting into, I mean 2 of my older cousins went to school in Tennessee and Louisiana, and my cousin’s husband is a true Texan.

I was expecting thick southern drawls, and a whole lot of “y’alls”, but little did I know that I knew more about French than southern English. So here are 10 phrases I wish I knew before coming to Mississippi.

1. Tennis Shoes = Sneakers

My first week of school I was in line at Starbucks behind a girl on wearing light blue Nikes, I smiled and said: "Hey I like your sneakers." My comment was met with a puzzled look and a "Thanks," that I just brushed off as her not being a morning person. I only realized my mistake a few days later when I was in my room doing chemistry homework with my friend Julia who asked me if I'd mind if she took off her tennis shoes. In my mind I was picturing the white shoes Serena Williams would wear, but I looked down at her feet to see Nike sneakers.

2. Roundabout = Rotary

Ok, I realize that when I'm getting directions from Siri, she'll call them Roundabouts, but I thought rotaries and roundabouts were interchangeable around the country! I mean doesn't every town have a Rotary Club? On campus alone, we have maybe 2 or 3 so you're bound to run into one but don't say rotary unless you want to give an explanation.

3. The Devil's Beating His Wife = Sun Shower

When the sun's shining and it's raining doesn't it sound a lot nicer to say sun shower?

4. Coke = Soda

Back in March I was visiting Ole Miss with my mom and at dinner, the waiter asked what we'd like to drink, I said a coke, and he asked: "What kind?" Let's just say stick to ordering sweet tea when you're down south.

5. Lighting Bug = Fire Fly

"The bug's not on fire Ceara"

6. Icing = Frosting

Up north we use frosting instead of icing, probably because most of the time when we're talking about icing it's when the roads are icing over.

7. Ma'am/Sir = Automatic

This is a big one! Using sir isn't just for formal occasions make sure everything you say when you're answering a question is followed by a ma'am or a sir.

8. Remote = Clicker

Down here when you ask for someone to pass the clicker you'll probably have your friend asking you "Like the thing for class?"

9. Shake = Frappe

10/10 don't recommend ordering a Strawberry Frappe at steak and shake or cookout because they'll just tell you to go to Starbucks.

10. Bless her heart = A big insult

Most of the time when you use one of these words it'll be followed by a sweet sounding "Bless your heart," but don't be fooled because it probably means they think you are just, well, not the smartest.