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25 Times You've Had Absolutely No Clue What These Southern Phrases Meant

Our language, explained.

Hannah Smith

Nov 19, 2018

Jacksonville State University

3544

Flickr

If you grew up in the south, you have probably heard at least one (or maybe all) of these phrases. It just wouldn't be life without our southern-isms. I'm almost positive that anybody who reads this article has used at least one of these. There's no need to be ashamed. It's just a part of being from the south.

Cotton pickin'

A nicer term for the "D" word. Ex: Husband: "I think I may go buy a new truck!" Wife: "Have you lost your cotton pickin' mind?"

John Brown

Used when something is a surprise. Ex: "She got the job!" "Well, I'll be John Brown."

Two cents

An unwanted opinion. Ex: "We could've lived without her two cents."

Turd floater

A very heavy rain. Ex: "It's gonna be coming a turd floater tonight."

Hill of beans

Used to describe something of no value. Ex: "He don't amount to a hill of beans."

Cattywampus

Not lined up evenly on both sides. Ex: "That mirror is cattywampus."

As all get out

To the uttermost degree. Ex: "Once she makes up her mind, she will be stubborn as all get out."

Sugar

A way to say kiss or lovin'. Ex: "Go give your grandma some sugar."

A lick of sense

No common sense. Ex: "That boy ain't got a lick of sense."

Ugly

A way to say bad. Ex: "Y'all need to stop being ugly."

Plumb

Another way to say absolutely. Ex: "Now that was just plumb stupid."

Highfalutin'

Another way to say fancy. Ex: "Look at those highfalutin' people over there."

Lose my religion

Used when someone loses their temper. Ex: "You're about to make me lose my religion."

Floats your boat

A way to say makes you happy. Ex: "Do whatever floats your boat."

Doohickey

Used when you can't think of the name of an object. Ex: "Pass me that doohickey over there."

Preaching to the choir

Presenting an argument that people agree with. Ex: "Honey, you're preaching to the choir."

Conniption

A fit of rage. Ex: "Yall watch out! She's about to have a conniption fit!"

High cotton

Used when your possessions are more expensive than your social status. Ex: "Did you see him diving that Corvette?" "Yeah, he's choppin' high cotton."

Not my first rodeo

Used to show someone is not naive or inexperienced. Ex: "Listen sweetheart, this isn't my first rodeo."

Lord have mercy

Used in disbelief. Ex: "So and so is pregnant again!" "Lord have mercy."

Just in the nick of time

Just in time. Ex. "She got here just in the nick of time."

Bury the hatchet

To settle differences. Ex: "I'm tired of fighting. Let's just bury the hatchet."

Butter up

A term used when flattering someone. Ex: "Are you just trying to butter up the boss so you can get a promotion?"

Chunk

Another way to say throw. Ex: "Chuck that food over the fence."

Fiddlefart

A way to say lingering around. Ex: Yall quit fiddlefarting around and come on!"

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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25 Times You've Had Absolutely No Clue What These Southern Phrases Meant

Our language, explained.

Cotton pickin'

John Brown

Two cents

Turd floater

Hill of beans

Cattywampus

As all get out

Sugar

A lick of sense

Ugly

Plumb

Highfalutin'

Lose my religion

Floats your boat

Doohickey

Preaching to the choir

Conniption

High cotton

Not my first rodeo

Lord have mercy

Just in the nick of time

Bury the hatchet

Butter up

Chunk

Fiddlefart

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

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