Southerners vs. Northerners: Slang Edition
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Politics and Activism

Southerners vs. Northerners: Slang Edition

Who is actually right here?

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Southerners vs. Northerners: Slang Edition
Matt Hoffman

Going from southern Alabama to northern Ohio came with quite a few culture shocks. I noticed an inordinate amount of differences in our lifestyle versus northerners', one mainly being the language. Here are a few main differences I immediately noticed upon my arrival:

1. How do you address a superior such as an adult, waiter or waitress, or a teacher?

Southerners: "Yes ma'am," or "Yes sir."

Northerners: "Yeah."

2. How do you order tea at lunch?

Southerners: "May I have a sweet tea, please?"

Northerners: "Can I have an iced tea?"

3. What do you put your groceries in?

Southerners: a buggy

Northerners: a cart

4. What's the third main meal of the day called?


Southerners: supper

Northerners: dinner

5. What are these called?



Southerners: tennis shoes

Northerners: sneakers

6. What do you call those little bugs that light up at night during the summer?


Southerners: fireflies

Northerners: lightning bugs

7. What are these called?

Southerners: roundabouts

Northerners: traffic circles

8. What do you call this when you order it at dinner?

Southerners: a Coke

Northerners: Pop

9. What does a teacher say when they say you aren't allowed to use your phone?


Southerners: "Put it up."

Northerners: "Put it away"

10. How do you ask someone to repeat themselves?

Southerners: "Excuse me?" or "Ma'am / Sir?"


Northerners: "What'd you say?"

11. How many syllables are in the word "caramel?

Southerners: "care - ah - mel"

Northerners: "car - ml"

12. When addressing a group of people, you say:

Southerners: "Y'all."

Northerners: "You guys."

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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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