Come-to-Jesus Meeting
Now this Southernism is one of my favorites. This is used to describe a confrontation between folks who don't see eye to eye. I was reminded of it yesterday.
Example: "I had to have a come-to-Jesus meeting with my professor yesterday about her false
accusation."
or
"Once Jolene had a come-to-Jesus meeting with her boss, she got that raise she wanted."
Generally, the person who claims that such a meeting is necessary is the person who feels slighted. The person with whom he or she intends to have the meeting is usually unaware that such a meeting is necessary.
Showing posts with label Southernisms. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Southernisms. Show all posts
Southernism of the Day
Mosey
verb; to move in a leisurely, relaxed way; get going
Example: "I think I'll mosey on over to the fabric section while I'm in the Pit of Despair."
(See previous post for clarification.)
verb; to move in a leisurely, relaxed way; get going
Example: "I think I'll mosey on over to the fabric section while I'm in the Pit of Despair."
(See previous post for clarification.)
Southernism of the Day
Lord A-mighty
This is an alternative pronunciation of "Lord Almighty". Somehow, removing the "L" in Almighty renders the phrase appropriate for everyday use. It's an interjection.
Example: "Lord A-mighty, Auburn liked ta' got beat by Kansas State!"
similar to Got-amightyknows! This is actually "God Almighty Knows"
Example: "Got-amightyknows, that Gerard Butler is some kind of fine!"
Now you try.
This is an alternative pronunciation of "Lord Almighty". Somehow, removing the "L" in Almighty renders the phrase appropriate for everyday use. It's an interjection.
Example: "Lord A-mighty, Auburn liked ta' got beat by Kansas State!"
similar to Got-amightyknows! This is actually "God Almighty Knows"
Example: "Got-amightyknows, that Gerard Butler is some kind of fine!"
Now you try.
Southernism of the Day
Supper
Function: noun
meaning: evening meal
It's what we eat while Yankees are eating dinner.
I would just like to make note here that I am not using the word Yankee pejoratively. It is simply an identifier referring to someone born and raised north of the Mason-Dixon line. People from Mexico are Mexicans, folks from Japan are Japanese, and those in the states not from the South are Yankees. Simple as that. Besides, my stepdaddy is a Yankee from Wisconsin and I love him and his family somethin' fierce.
Function: noun
meaning: evening meal
It's what we eat while Yankees are eating dinner.
I would just like to make note here that I am not using the word Yankee pejoratively. It is simply an identifier referring to someone born and raised north of the Mason-Dixon line. People from Mexico are Mexicans, folks from Japan are Japanese, and those in the states not from the South are Yankees. Simple as that. Besides, my stepdaddy is a Yankee from Wisconsin and I love him and his family somethin' fierce.
Southernism of the Day
Drawers
Function: noun
Synonyms: underwear, panties, briefs; occasionally pants
Example: My friend's mom used to tell us before we went on a road trip, "Be sure to wear clean drawers in case you get in an accident."
"Jim wears suspenders 'cuz his butt's too flat to hold up his drawers."
Function: noun
Synonyms: underwear, panties, briefs; occasionally pants
Example: My friend's mom used to tell us before we went on a road trip, "Be sure to wear clean drawers in case you get in an accident."
"Jim wears suspenders 'cuz his butt's too flat to hold up his drawers."
Southernism of the Day
Right
Function: adverb
very; To give emphasis to an adjective or other adverb that can be graded
Example: "That was right nice of you to hold the door open for that old lady."
or
"Come look at this right quick."
Function: adverb
very; To give emphasis to an adjective or other adverb that can be graded
Example: "That was right nice of you to hold the door open for that old lady."
or
"Come look at this right quick."
Southernism of the Day
Tacky
adjective: inappropriate, rude; gaudy
Example
Betty Sue: "Earlene showed up to Family Night Supper at the church without a covered dish!" Betty Mae: "That's so tacky."
or "Did you see that tacky shirt JD has on? I bet his wife doesn't know he's wearin' that."
adjective: inappropriate, rude; gaudy
Example
Betty Sue: "Earlene showed up to Family Night Supper at the church without a covered dish!" Betty Mae: "That's so tacky."
or "Did you see that tacky shirt JD has on? I bet his wife doesn't know he's wearin' that."
Southernism of the Day
Yawta
You ought to
Example: "If you're lookin' for some fresh sweet corn yawta go down to the vegetable stand across from the Piggly Wiggly."
This entry was inspired by my grandmother (God rest her soul) who often started sentences with this phrase when dispensing unsolicited advice.
Note: Piggly Wiggly refers to a chain of grocery stores in the Deep South. They're few and far between these days, but the really small towns usually have one. I remember when my hometown was small enough to have one. *sigh*
You ought to
Example: "If you're lookin' for some fresh sweet corn yawta go down to the vegetable stand across from the Piggly Wiggly."
This entry was inspired by my grandmother (God rest her soul) who often started sentences with this phrase when dispensing unsolicited advice.
Note: Piggly Wiggly refers to a chain of grocery stores in the Deep South. They're few and far between these days, but the really small towns usually have one. I remember when my hometown was small enough to have one. *sigh*
Southernism of the Day
Yourmamanem
Phrase
Your Mama and Them refers to one's family
Example: "Why, Bobbi Jo, I haven't seen you in forever! How's yourmamanem?"
I believe Mr. Foxworthy or one of his illustrious Blue Collar buddies has already made many of you familiar with this phrase. Although it is 4 distinct words, when spoken it must be uttered in rapid succession, like many of the South's terms. We like to run words together. You may notice it's not Yourdaddyanem, because matriarchs rule the roost. No matter what Daddy says.
Phrase
Your Mama and Them refers to one's family
Example: "Why, Bobbi Jo, I haven't seen you in forever! How's yourmamanem?"
I believe Mr. Foxworthy or one of his illustrious Blue Collar buddies has already made many of you familiar with this phrase. Although it is 4 distinct words, when spoken it must be uttered in rapid succession, like many of the South's terms. We like to run words together. You may notice it's not Yourdaddyanem, because matriarchs rule the roost. No matter what Daddy says.
Southernism of the Day
Used to could
used to: modal verb; indicates habitual action; used in the past tense to say that somebody or something habitually or usually did something
could: modal auxiliary verb used as the past tense of "can"
*This expression is three separate words uttered in very rapid succession so that it sounds like only one word. Pronunciation is more like this: yoostakood. I believe it violates no less than four grammatical rules.
Example: "I used to could eat as much as I wanted and never gain weight, until I turned 30."
"You used to could fish all you want at the pier 'til they built condos out there."
used to: modal verb; indicates habitual action; used in the past tense to say that somebody or something habitually or usually did something
could: modal auxiliary verb used as the past tense of "can"
*This expression is three separate words uttered in very rapid succession so that it sounds like only one word. Pronunciation is more like this: yoostakood. I believe it violates no less than four grammatical rules.
Example: "I used to could eat as much as I wanted and never gain weight, until I turned 30."
"You used to could fish all you want at the pier 'til they built condos out there."
Southernism of the Day
Rurnt
adj; Ruined, spoiled, ugly, generally not good
Example: "He's got a great body; too bad his face is rurnt." or "Check the date on the milk, I think it's rurnt."
adj; Ruined, spoiled, ugly, generally not good
Example: "He's got a great body; too bad his face is rurnt." or "Check the date on the milk, I think it's rurnt."
Southernism of the Day
Pitch a Fit
the act of expressing displeasure in a very noticeable way, often involving swearing and throwing things; having a temper tantrum
Example: "Mama's gonna pitch a fit if Daddy misses church again."
Today's entry was inspired by a fellow Alabama knitter. Thanks, D!
the act of expressing displeasure in a very noticeable way, often involving swearing and throwing things; having a temper tantrum
Example: "Mama's gonna pitch a fit if Daddy misses church again."
Today's entry was inspired by a fellow Alabama knitter. Thanks, D!
Southernism of the Day
Doctor
Verb; to improve upon an existing condition/state
Example: "That store-bought spaghetti sauce was kinda bland, but I doctored it enough to where we can eat it."
Verb; to improve upon an existing condition/state
Example: "That store-bought spaghetti sauce was kinda bland, but I doctored it enough to where we can eat it."
Southernism of the Day
Bless her/his/your/heart
What a versatile expression! It can be uttered as sincere concern or used to cover your *ss when you've delivered an insult.
Example 1
sincere concern: "When does your Mama get out of the hospital, bless her heart?"
Example 2
covering your *ss: "He ain't got the sense God gave a turnip, bless his heart."
To further emphasize the fact that you are not really 'talking bad about someone', this phrase can be combined with another popular qualifier:
I don't mean to be ugly, but...
Example: "I don't mean to be ugly, but her youngun's are about the homeliest I've ever seen, bless their hearts."
What a versatile expression! It can be uttered as sincere concern or used to cover your *ss when you've delivered an insult.
Example 1
sincere concern: "When does your Mama get out of the hospital, bless her heart?"
Example 2
covering your *ss: "He ain't got the sense God gave a turnip, bless his heart."
To further emphasize the fact that you are not really 'talking bad about someone', this phrase can be combined with another popular qualifier:
I don't mean to be ugly, but...
Example: "I don't mean to be ugly, but her youngun's are about the homeliest I've ever seen, bless their hearts."
Southernism of the Day
Buggy
Function: Noun; shopping cart
Example: "Last time I went to Winn Dixie I bought so much Busch Light I had to use a buggy."
Function: Noun; shopping cart
Example: "Last time I went to Winn Dixie I bought so much Busch Light I had to use a buggy."
Southernism of the Day
Fixin'
Function 1: Verb, To get set : be on the verge
Example: We're fixin' to leave soon.
Function 2: Noun, Customary accompaniments.
Example: We had a turkey dinner with all the fixins.
Function 1: Verb, To get set : be on the verge
Example: We're fixin' to leave soon.
Function 2: Noun, Customary accompaniments.
Example: We had a turkey dinner with all the fixins.
Southernism of the Day
PIDDLIN'
Function: Adjective Small or inferior. Example: "His work only gave him a piddlin' 1% raise.
Function: Adverb Poorly. Example: "She felt piddlin' so she didn't go to school."
Function: Verb To waste time. Example: He spent all his time piddlin' around and never got anything done."
From Amanda Galiano's Southern Slang Dictionary
Function: Adjective Small or inferior. Example: "His work only gave him a piddlin' 1% raise.
Function: Adverb Poorly. Example: "She felt piddlin' so she didn't go to school."
Function: Verb To waste time. Example: He spent all his time piddlin' around and never got anything done."
From Amanda Galiano's Southern Slang Dictionary
Southernism of the Day
RECKON
Function: Verb
Origin: Middle English rekenen, from Old English -recenian (as in gerecenian to narrate, akin to Old English reccanDate: 13th century1 : Count Example: To reckon the days till Christmas 2 : to regard or think of as : Consider 3 : Think, suppose
Example: "I'm starvin! I reckon I'll get me somethin' to eat."
From Amanda Galiano's Southern Slang Dictionary
Function: Verb
Origin: Middle English rekenen, from Old English -recenian (as in gerecenian to narrate, akin to Old English reccanDate: 13th century1 : Count Example: To reckon the days till Christmas 2 : to regard or think of as : Consider 3 : Think, suppose
Example: "I'm starvin! I reckon I'll get me somethin' to eat."
From Amanda Galiano's Southern Slang Dictionary
Southernism of the day
TUMP
Function: Verb
Origin: perhaps akin to British dialect tumpoke to fall head over heels
To tip or turn over, especially accidentally.
Example: Don't tump over that glass of tea!
From Amanda Galiano's Southern Slang Dictionary
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