In college, I have met people from all parts of the country and even from out of the country. Being originally from Alabama, I understand the vocabulary spoken by most of the people. However, I've realized that a lot of my friends do not. Here are some key terms and phrases needed to know when visiting most areas in the south.
fixina (FIX-en-ah) - a word used to indicate that someone is about to do something
Origin: fixing to
Used in a Sentence: I’m fixina run to the grocery store.
Related Phrases: bouta
buggie (BUG-ie) - cart used to put objects in when shopping
Origin: unknown
Used in a Sentence: Grab me a buggie. I’m getting a lot of stuff.
Related Phrases: shopping cart
sposesta (SPOSE-tah) - a word used to indicate that someone should have done or should be doing something
Origin: suppose to
Used in a Sentence: I was sposesta pick up some grits for breakfast in the morning.
Related Phrases: needa
dagnabbit (dag-NAB-it) - substitution word used to replace inappropriate language; usually used aggressively or in anger
Origin: Dang it
Used in a Sentence: Dagnabbit! The chickens are out again.
Related Phrases: degummit
shootfarr (shute-FAR) - word used to replace inappropriate language; usually used excitedly or in happiness
Origin: shoot fire
Used in a Sentence: Shootfarr! He done got him a deer!
Related Phrases: woohoo!
yonder (YAHN-der) - a word used to describe a place far away from the position of the person using the the word
Origin: there
Used in a Sentence: Do you want to ride over yonder later?
Related Phrases: none
country mile - a phrase indicating that a mile in the southern part of the country is much longer in distance that a mile in the northern part of the country; a “country mile” can exceed the distance of three to five actual miles
Origin: a little ways
Used in a Sentence: It’s about a (country) mile down the road.
Related Phrases: down the, a little ways
tornado in a trailer parker - phrase used to describe someone very happy
Origin: unknown
Used in a Sentence: She was happier than a tornado in trailer park.
Related Phrases: none
a few cards short of a whole deck - a phrase used to say that someone is not very intelligent
Origin: unknown
Used in a Sentence: When he couldn’t count past ten, I know that he was a few cards short of a whole deck.
Related Phrases: not the sharpest tool in the toolbox, not the brightest light on the Christmas tree.
bull in a china shop - a phrase used to describe someone that is reckless or clumsy
Origin: unknown
Used in a Sentence: When he was a teenager, her was like a bull in a china shop.
Related Phrases: none
hold your horses - a phrase used to tell someone to wait or to be patient
Origin: hold on a second
Used in a Sentence: Hold your horses, dagnabbit! I’ll be finished in a second.
Related Phrases: none
once in a blue moon - a phrase used to describe something that rarely happens
Origin: every once in awhile
Used in a Sentence: Aunt Suzy only comes around once in a blue moon.
Related Phrases: every so often
to hell in a handbasket - a phrase used to say that something bad has happened or went wrong
Origin: unknown
Used in a Sentence: Well, that road trip went to hell in a hand basket.
Related Phrases: everything that could have went wrong did
by the grace of God - a phrase used to describe something that happened when no one is sure how it did
Origin: originally used to say that God did something good for someone
Used in a Sentence: I didn’t think he’d ever settle down with a girl, but by the grace of God he did. Or, it could be that he got this one pregnant.
Related Phrases: by the skin on my teeth
slow as molasses in the winter time - used to describe someone that is taking too much time to do something or get somewhere
Origin: unknown; molasses is syrup and syrup moves slowly when it gets cold
Used in a Sentence: Girl, can you hurry up? You are movin’ as slow as molasses in the winter time.
Related Phrases: none
finer than a frog hair split four ways - phrase used to describe something that is extremely good
Origin: unknown; frogs do not have hair, therefore and frog hair would already be extremely small or “fine”
Used in a Sentence: The gumbo was finer than a frog hair split four ways.
Related Phrases: finer than a horse hair split three ways
