8 Expressions You'll Recognize If You're Truly Southern | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Relationships

8 Expressions You'll Recognize If You're Truly Southern

There's More to the South Than the "What in Tarnation" Meme

230
8 Expressions You'll Recognize If You're Truly Southern
abagond.wordpress.com

If you like to occasionally take a scroll through Twitter, you’ll probably recognize this meme that took the world by storm:

But the “What in Tarnation” meme doesn’t even begin to capture the full spectrum of southern vocabulary. Here are some southern expressions that all of you southern belles and beaux should recognize. (And, believe it or not, not everything in the south is a simile.)

1. "You're Bein' Ugly"

Don't worry if your southern friends say this to you, they're not actually saying that you're an eyesore. They just mean that you need to adjust your attitude, because you're probably being pretty dang rude. "Ugly" to us can be used as another word for "mean".

2. "I'll Swanee"

This is kind of a way to say, "I don't believe it," or, "Oh my goodness." It was actually originally intended to be a way to avoid saying the Lord's name in vain. (Because Lord knows y'all need Jesus.)

3. "You're Tellin' a Story"

This is a polite way to call you out on your lies. Only in the south can you call someone a liar with class and charm.

4. "Carry On, Then"

If anyone southern says this to you, especially your mom, stop doing what you're doing immediately. She's daring you to keep going and see just what she'll do to you if you continue being an idiot.

5. "Playin' Possum"

If someone says, "You're playin' possum," they know you're pretending to be asleep just to avoid them.

6. "Raisin' Cain"

This basically means that you're being too loud, too obnoxious, too rowdy, too everything. You need to just calm down and stop trying to stir up trouble.

7. "You Sorry Rascal"

If you've ever been called a "sorry rascal" it was probably because you did something sneaky and underhanded. You sorry rascal, you.

8. "Too Big For Your Britches"

This is what you say to vain and prideful people, because their egos are so big that they can't even fit in their own pants.

To my fellow southerners, life can be hard when no one understands your southern similes and wit. But not everyone is as blessed as we are to have been born and raised in the south.

And to everyone else, these sayings are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to southern expressions, but hey, now you know something other than "Bless your heart" and "What in tarnation" right

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

The Daily Struggles of Being a College Commuter

It's not all morning coffees and singing along to the radio.

171
The Daily Struggles of Being a College Commuter
morethanwheels

I've been in college for four years now. I spent half my time as a commuter and half as a resident so I've experienced both sides of the housing spectrum. One thing I've learned comparing the two is that my struggles as a commuter far outweigh anything I went through while living on campus. Commuters have to deal with the problems school brings along with a slew of other issues; I've filled up my gas tank in the worst kind of weather conditions and napped in random places in public more times than I'm proud to say of. This is a list of some of the most challenging aspects of being a commuter.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

15 Times Michael Scott's Life Was Worse Than Your Life

Because have you ever had to endure grilling your foot on a George Foreman?

2950
Michael Scott
NBC

Most of the time, the world's (self-proclaimed) greatest boss is just that, the greatest. I mean, come on, he's Michael Freakin' Scott after all! But every once in a while, his life hits a bit of a speed bump. (or he actually hits Meredith...) So if you personally are struggling through a hard time, you know what they say: misery loves company! Here are 15 times Michael Scott's life was worse than your life:

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

12 Midnight NYE: Fun Ideas!

This isn't just for the single Pringles out there either, folks

17327
Friends celebrating the New Years!
StableDiffusion

When the clock strikes twelve midnight on New Year's Eve, do you ever find yourself lost regarding what to do during that big moment? It's a very important moment. It is the first moment of the New Year, doesn't it seem like you should be doing something grand, something meaningful, something spontaneous? Sure, many decide to spend the moment on the lips of another, but what good is that? Take a look at these other suggestions on how to ring in the New Year that are much more spectacular and exciting than a simple little kiss.

Keep Reading...Show less
piano
Digital Trends

I am very serious about the Christmas season. It's one of my favorite things, and I love it all from gift-giving to baking to the decorations, but I especially love Christmas music. Here are 11 songs you should consider adding to your Christmas playlists.

Keep Reading...Show less
campus
CampusExplorer

New year, new semester, not the same old thing. This semester will be a semester to redeem all the mistakes made in the previous five months.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

Let's face it, last semester you woke up with enough time to brush your teeth and get to class and even then you were about 10 minutes late and rollin' in with some pretty unfortunate bed head. This semester we will set our alarms, wake up with time to get ready, and get to class on time!

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments