My mother is the epitome of a Southern Belle. Her sweet, slow drawl and her unbeatable charm balance out her sassy attitude and fiery disposition.Somehow, all this personality is packed into her tiny 5 ft. 100 lb. frame.
She makes the best green beans and mashed potatoes and can do so while completing 100 other tasks and entertaining a houseful of people.
She's taught me a lot: how to flirt, how to converse, and how to party; to say yes ma'am, no ma'am, yes sir, and no sir; to treat others as I want to be treated; and to always write thank you notes and bring hostess gifts.
She also unintentionally taught me a lot of different Southern colloquialisms that, despite the fact that I attend college in the South, people do not understand.
So for those of you who just need a little help understanding me or any other Southerners when they talk or if you just need to add some spice to your vernacular, I made a list of Southern sayings and their translations for you.
If you wanna see these sayings in action, watch this video.
1. Six of one, half dozen of the other
The two options are equal to each other
2. Too big for his britches
Cocky, uppity, arrogant, thinks too highly of himself, etc.
3. Madder than a wet hen
Exceptionally angry, about to cause a scene, infuriated
4. Buggy
Shopping cart
5. Pocketbook
Purse
6. Commode
Toilet
7. I'm sweating like a stuck pig/ I'm sweating like a whore in church.
Very, very sweaty
8. Blood is thicker than water.
Family is more important than friends
9. You can't squeeze blood from a turnip.
You can only get from people what they're willing to give
10. He doesn't have a pot to piss in.
Dirt poor
11. She has her nose so high in the air she could drown in a rainstorm.
Conceited, stuck up, and narcissistic
12. She could make a preacher cuss
Frustrating, irritating, and aggravating
13. I'm gonna jerk you in a knot
Angry and about to hit someone
14. I'm fat as a tick
Eaten too much, full, and stuffed
15. Piddlin'
Being lazy, trifling, and fiddling around
16. Pitching a fit
Getting worked up, causing a scene, and having a hissy fit, etc.
