", "hush up" is a way to tell someone to "shut up", 25 things every Midwesterner knows to be true, 20 cities in the South that Americans are escaping in droves. 34. There’s no denying it: South Jersey natives have a weird accent. 5. Like what you see here? The American South has a reputation for a lot of things: its southern style cooking and soul food; potlucks; entertaining and warm hospitality; a deep love of football, and our funny-sounding colloquialisms and southern sayings. AP/Doug Parker. 1. "I locked my keys in my car in Delchamp's parking lot this morning!" The first thing to consider, especially for speakers who are from the U.S., is the idea of a regional accent. Hens sometimes enter a phase of "broodiness," meaning that they'll do anything to incubate their eggs and will get agitated when farmers try to collect them. mobile app. While we all know frogs don't have hair, it means to ironically highlight just how dandy you feel. Sometimes it's used as a passive-aggressive insult (a nice way for a polite Southerner to tell you that you're wrong), and sometimes it's used as an exclamation. This includes personalizing content and advertising. The southern way to say "you all". You won’t often hear a Russian say a hard “e”, especially when following a consonant. That southern accent has almost been successfully eradicated by the excellent Southern school systems and the invasion of northern companies, eager to benefit from the high levels of creativity and intelligence found in the Southern gene pool. The black southern accent is different. Farmers thus dunk hens in cold water to "break" their broodiness... and hens don't like that one bit. Here, 8 things … Angie Thomas 15 Things Only People with Southern Accents Understand: 1. Imagine a horse eating a carrot, and you'll get the picture. In the case of The South, there are so many slang phrases and so much lingo that is unique to Southerners. All these questions and more are addressed in this installment of the United States of Accents. In the Southern accent, “going to” sounds like “gonna” and “let me” sounds like “lemme.” How to imitate Southern pronunciation when you write? For example, “fill” becomes “fee-hill.”. You Can't Carry A Tune In A Bucket. Southerners don’t say “you guys”…they say “y’all.” (And “all y’all” for five or more people.) Southerners don’t “pout”…they “have their feathers ruffled.”, 24. At this point, I was seriously blushing, and it made me start thinking about some rather unfortunate (but humorous) things that are daily realities for those of us with Southern accents. This distinction may do for a Connecticut college play, but the regional accents have a far greater flavor range than these four catch-all boxes. Technically, there are multiple accents associated with different parts of the city. But we're all different. What do you do? When you’re in the South, “over yonder” is a distant direction—any direction. This expression refers to someone who may be blissfully ignorant of something. But by far, the most distinct auditory clue, the South's calling card of sorts, is the melodic sound of a true Southern accent. Both have had their differences and their similarities on various issues. From "What in the Sam Hill" to "Heavens to Betsy," you probably won't hear these 25 words and expressions anywhere but the South. In a Southern home, "hold your horses" is used when someone is being impatient. 2. Subscriber "Goodness gracious" comes from the 1700s, and can mean surprise, shock, or dismay. "The word get does not rhyme with yet here in the South," writes Sarah Johnson, a South Carolina native and Southern accent specialist. 'Bless your heart' You may have overheard someone from the South say it and made the assumption that it was a kind-hearted phrase of well-wishing, but it is usually the exact opposite. In other words, the idiom means "wait" or "hang on a minute." ), 3. "Bless your heart" and "Take your sweet time" might seem like sympathetic phrases — but they're not always. Apparently, this expression entered the mainstream at the end of the film "Casablanca," when Humphrey Bogart says to Ingrid Bergman, "Ilsa, I'm no good at being noble, but it doesn't take much to see that the problems of three little people don't amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world.". It's often used sarcastically. Things in the South aren’t “broken”…they’re “tore slap up.”. You'll mostly hear this one in the deep South, like Georgia or Alabama, and often in regards to food. Not all accents are alike, but just enough sweetness carries over from Appalachia to Alabama to East Texas to tie them all together, marking a certain Southern way of speaking. Southerners don’t claim “territory”…they claim “stompin’ grounds.”. It take too long to say “you guys” or “you all,” right? 1. Things in the South aren’t “broken”…they’re “tore slap up.”, 5. "Yonder" actually comes from a Dutch word, "ginder," which means "over there." You may try using Southern accent words to mimic the way people from this region speak. Over yonder past the cotton field. "Shut up" is viewed as rather rude in the South. Tips For Speaking With A Southern Accent. Southerners don’t “suppose”…they “reckon.”, 16. According to dictionary.com, a Southerner could use the idiom like this: "You can keep arguing till the cows come home, but I won't change my mind.". The importance is the tone used. "Crawdad" is mostly used in Louisiana, but is common across the South. since, “No Rules Rules: Netflix and the Culture of Reinvention”. Southerners don’t call people “unintelligent”…they say “dumber than a sack of rocks.”, 20. "We say it like 'git.' Being a foreigner can be intimidating – especially when there's a different form of slang and accent when you get there! "Bless your heart" has many different meanings in the South. "Bless your heart" and "Take your sweet time" might seem like sympathetic phrases — but they're not always. These words tend to come out with even more zest if the Southerner has been drinking bourbon. Southerners don’t say “you guys”…they say “y’all.” (And “all y’all” for five or more people. Account active The first noticeable thing about the way a Southerner talks is the speed. This phrase can be intensified by the addition of the word “way,” as in “way over yonder.” There’s a lilt to their speech and a single syllable vowel can become two syllables. Let's say you want to know how to sound African, or you want to know how to get rid of a Southern accent. You will also notice words that run together like gonna (going to) and lem-me (let me). Over yonder down the road. Southerners won’t tell you that “you’re wasting your time”…they’ll tell you that “you’re barking up the wrong tree.”, 12. "Cattywampus" comes from the 19th century, and is a variation of the word "catawampus," which can mean destructive. Southerners love using euphemisms in place of real swearing. But that does not rhyme for us. “Fixin’” is also a word commonly used by people with Southern accents, when you’re trying to do something. When you say, 'Southern,' or you speak about a southern accent, there's always that drawl, and usually from white people. Southerners are typically more laid back and that is reflected in the speech which has drawn-out vowel sounds. Looking for smart ways to get more from life? It was adapted into famous Southern literary works, such as Mark Twain's "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court," and has been used in the South ever since. Southerners don’t “take themselves too seriously”…they’re just “too big for their britches.”, 11. It means "you poor thing." Some visitors find that our slang leaves them as lost and confused as if they were hearing a foreign language. It’s not quite New York (nobody, anywhere, says Joisey), and it’s not quite Philly (we say coffee, not cawfee), but it’s definitely there.To go with the accent, we also have our own local lexicon that … Keep scrolling to see 25 Southern words and expressions you probably won't hear anywhere else. So, this collection is as much a historical document as one about language and accents. "Take your own sweet time" means that someone is doing something as slowly as they feel like, even though everyone else wants them to hurry up. Southerners don’t change channels with a “remote”…they use the “clicker.”, 9. 3. In the North, you might say: 'You get what you get, so don't be upset.' Two Peas In A Pod. Other options for this word include "dohickey," "thingamabob," and "whatchamacallit." People often call your accent “cute” or “endearing.” You probably hear this daily. What is the southern accent? From "What in the Sam Hill" to "Heavens to Betsy," you probably won't hear these 25 words and expressions anywhere but the South. And such a tempo can sound really charming. Some trace this exclamation back to the Revolutionary War and Betsy Ross, but there's no evidence of where "heavens to Betsy" really came from. 32. You get called out or laughed at for saying “y’all” around people who aren’t from the South. Sometimes this can mean a poorly clothed or disreputable person, as well. When a pig dies outside, the sun will dry out its skin, pulling its lips back to reveal a toothy "grin," making it look happy. Y’all: it’s never “you guys” but “y’all”. To be legit, make your “e” sound more like a “ye”. Oh and p.s. Drop the “g”s. It always surprises people how different they all sound when I do them. Southerners don’t say “oh, wow”…they say “good lord!”, 6. How is it treated by non-southerners? The phrase may be accompanied by a gesture indicating north, south, east, or west. 20 Words People Say Differently in the North vs. South It's no surprise that there are some significant differences between the southern part of the United States and the northern part. It's going to take you places." Relatedly, there’s the title track to Tom Petty’s 1985 album, “Southern Accents,” which begins, There’s a southern accent, where I come from The young’uns call it country The South is full of plenty of dialects and no two people sound exactly the same. This expression of complete shock is typically a reaction to a recent revelation. Southerners don’t say “I’m sorry”…they say “bless your heart.”, 7. The South is a special place with its own quirks and traditions, but it's especially well-known for having a way with words. Get it now on Libro.fm using the button below. Southerners don’t hand you a Coca-Cola when you ask for a Coke…they say “What kind?”, 13. The South is well-known for having a way with words. Southerners aren’t “caught off guard”…they’re “caught with their pants down.”, 23. It’s widely known that Bostonians have an accent. Over yonder toward the water tower. Why Do People Speak With Accents? 3. In Acting with an Accent, David Stern (a Northerner) distinguishes four kinds of Southern accents. You normally have your "feathers ruffled" when you are pouting. Sometimes crawfish are also called freshwater lobsters or mountain lobsters. We give you the top tips you'll need to speak genuine cockney like a proper Londoner! "Over yonder" is a phrase that means something's still typically in your line of sight, but far away. Living in the South, but not having an accent, I frequently get questions from people when I travel about why I don't have one and I always have fun demonstrating all of the variations that I can "slide" into (Southern accents are so very easy to pick up). There is a common rhyme teachers use at school when students complain about not getting their first choice. These terms have been popularized by popular children's stories, like "The Little Mermaid," as well as Dr. Suess books. Southerners don’t say “cater-cornered”…they say “caddywonked.”, 4. Southerners don’t tell people to go “fuck themselves”…they politely suggest to “stick it where the sun don’t shine.”, Search for a topic, destination or article, We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. I think it's safe to say that every year when some random newspaper/magazine comes out with a poll stating which country boasts the sexiest of all accents, we all get a little flummoxed. With a southern accent, the correct comeback is of course "Bless your heart," or perhaps "Why thanks for noticing; bless your heart!" Some might agree that the southern dialect could be its own language in need of translation. A southern accent is nothing to be ashamed of, so whether someone has one or not, this is not a welcome statement. In such a case, you will be wholly focused on the way the words sound, which is a pretty efficient technique. In states known for their peaches, "pretty as a peach" is as good as a compliment gets. Basketball is for pussies. For example, say “fixin’” instead of “fixing” and “fishin’” instead of “fishing.” You don’t have to do this with words like “thing” or “dog,” but words with an “ing” should lose their “g”s. The South is well-known for having a way with words. Southerners don’t say “cater-cornered”…they say “caddywonked.”. Southerners say this word all the time. For instance, down south, "madder than a wet hen" means being angry, "over yonder" is a more poetic way of saying "over there," and "bless your heart" can be both an insult and a way to show empathy. Apparently, there once was a Sam Hill that used such vulgar language that his name became a euphemism for cuss words. The phrase means "for a long time; forever." "Bless your heart," I learned from 2 years each in Kentucky and Alabama, does NOT mean "thank you" or anything close to that. "Fixin' to" is a common phrase, especially in the South Atlantic and Gulf states, like Georgia and Florida. Southerners aren’t “broke”…they’re “so broke they can’t afford to pay attention.”, 19. If you've ever been told this, it means that you can't sing. Southerners love to make things sound nicer than they are, so "hush up" is a way to tell someone to "shut up" without sounding too harsh. That's what people associate with the South. If it doesn't make sense to you, you're not from the South. Southerners don’t claim “territory”…they claim “stompin’ grounds.”, 2. Visit Insider's homepage for more stories. However, even when you look beyond our unique way of pronouncing things, what about the words that we’re actually saying? We’ll know you’re a Yankee, or that your parents were Yankees, if you … This is common to most Southern accents. There are multiple answers to this question. Set your oral posture. 33. He calls them "General American Southern," "Plantation," "Hillbilly" and "Panhandle-Texas". Southern American English or Southern U.S. English is a regional dialect or collection of dialects of American English spoken throughout the Southern United States, though increasingly in more rural areas and primarily by White Southerners. The phrase reportedly originated in C. Davis' "Diary of 1865.". Here’s a sampling of words only Southerners say. In terms of accent, its strongest forms include southern varieties of Appalachian English and certain varieties of Texan English. 2. Life below the Mason Dixon line is so sweet, just like our tea and Coca-Cola. the idiom means "wait" or "hang on a minute. Southern accents over time have developed their own vocabulary. And there are some things Southerners say differently from the rest of the US. Southerners don’t go “batshit crazy”…they “fly off the handle.”, 26. Southerners don’t check for food in the “fridge”…they look in the “frigidaire.”, 21. Southerners don’t eat “dinner”…they eat “supper.”, 22. Southerners … There are tons of iconic English movies that take place in the South, some of my favorites being “Forrest Gump,” “The Help,” “Steel Magnolias,” “Fried Green Tomatoes” and “The Sound and the Fury.”. "Y'all" is typical Southern slang, but it's also a proper contraction (you all = y'all). ", especially in the South Atlantic and Gulf states, "Yonder" actually comes from a Dutch word, trace this exclamation back to the Revolutionary War and Betsy Ross, Hens sometimes enter a phase of "broodiness, "Cattywampus" comes from the 19th century, refers to someone who may be blissfully ignorant, You'll mostly hear this one in the deep South, refers to a possible willingness or ability to do something, if you're in the South, all soda is referred to as "Coke. The words originally had a literal meaning, which was used to command horses to slow down. If you can’t take a trip to the South, you can still practice listening to Southern accents at home. You will also get called out if you say "all y'all." Southerners don’t push a “shopping cart”…they put their groceries in a “buggy.”, 18. Remote Southerners aren’t “anxious”…they’re “like a cat on a hot-tin roof.”, 10. As the title says! Southerners don’t use the “toilet”…they use the “commode.”, 15. This phrase is often used by Southerners to answer the question, "How are you?" 1. Taken aback, I thanked him, and he went on to say that people "underestimate" people with Southern accents. Subscribe to our daily newsletter to get more of it. Have Their Feathers Ruffled. Enjoy! Ireland always, always ranks in the top three spots and we're left wondering "how", "why" and "in … "Might could" just refers to a possible willingness or ability to do something. You may hear "soda" in the Northeast or "pop" in the Midwest, but if you're in the South, all soda is referred to as "Coke.". Just a bunch of words you can say with a southern accent. 4. What are accents, anyway? Southerners don’t use a “purse”…they carry a “pocketbook.”, 17. Two Southerners aren’t friends because they “get along”…they get along because they’re “two peas in a pod.”, 25. 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Jason Merritt/Getty Images for iHeartMedia, Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney. A leading-edge research firm focused on digital transformation. 2. Southerners aren’t “about to do” something…they’re “fixin’ to.”, 14. But you say this because you don't mean some of y'all, you mean all of y'all. Galloway, which is south-west, sounds slightly closer to Irish as it’s close to Northern Ireland. "Oh, bless your heart!