You've probably heard some crazy slang words originating from the South, like "cattywampus" and "highfalutin'," but that's only the beginning. Living in the South can sometimes require a whole new understanding of the English language and its variations around the US. As a person born and raised in East Tennessee now living in Milwaukee, it's been a struggle to realize that a lot of the words I thought were commonplace are rare and confusing for the people I've met in the Midwest. With this guide, you can learn to survive anywhere in the South and even take on some of these words as your own.
1. "As all get out"
Meaning: very, a lot
Etymology: One of the most commonly known earlier uses of the phrase is from The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1884) by Mark Twain, in which a character states “we got to dig in like all git-out.”
The phrase “as all get out” acts as a sort of adjective and describes an idea as being of a higher degree. For instance, “it’s hot as all get out” would mean “it’s really hot,” or “I could really use a snack because I’m hungry as all get out” would mean “I’m really hungry.”
2. "Mamaw and Papaw"
Meaning: grandmother and grandfather
Etymology: The French word for mom (in the more casual sense) is “maman,” and is pronounced similarly to “mamaw,” while the French equivalent for “papaw” is “papa.” Somewhere along the way, the W was tacked onto the end.
Mamaw and Papaw both have the same functionality of grandma and grandpa and pretty much all other words that exist for grandparents. Being from East Tennessee, I have called my grandparents these words all my life and most people I know at home call their grandparents the same or similar names.
3. "Fixin' to"
Meaning: about to do something
Etymology: Unknown. However, one famous example of the phrase comes from the rock group Country Joe and the Fish’s album I-Feel-Like-I'm-Fixin'-To-Die (1967).
This is super common in the Southern states and is regularly used to signify something one is preparing to do, such as “fixin’ to go hunt” or “fixin’ to go to the store.” The “g” on the end is typically dropped because of the lack of full “-ing” pronunciation. African-American Vernacular English also has this phrase, except changed to “fittin’” and further shortened to “finna.”
4. "Hankering"
Meaning: a strong desire for something
Etymology: Derived from the Dutch verb “hunkeren,” meaning to crave.
You’ll usually hear this word being used in sentences like, “I have a hankerin’ for some barbeque ribs.” Again, the “g” is usually dropped.
5. "Purdy"
Meaning: pretty
Etymology: A corruption of the regular English word “pretty” that occurred due to Southern accents.
Everyone probably knows this alternative to the word pretty, but few outside the South every actually utilize it. However, that may be because the word purdy might roll off the tongue better for someone who has a southern accent. You’ll often hear the word being used for a girl who is “downright purdy.”
6. "Skedaddle"
Meaning: get out
Etymology: Mostly unknown, but some dictionaries claim that the word originates from American Civil War soldiers’ slang in the mid-1800s.
I use this word on a regular basis and hear it regularly at home and I was shocked to learn that, upon moving to Wisconsin, no one here seems to use the word or may not even know what it means. A typical phrase would be “let’s skedaddle,” meaning “let’s get out of here,” and it usually implies being quick about it.
7. "That dog don't/won't hunt"
Meaning: that’s not going to happen
Etymology: Apparently based upon the 17th or 18th century phrase “that cock won’t fight” (in regard to rooster fights). It was adapted to colloquial Southern slang because dogs were often used to hunt for meat and quite literally meant that a hunting dog wouldn’t find any food.
This one isn’t so well-known and may be one of my favorite phrases, even though I rarely use or hear it. One might hear it used when someone isn’t making a good argument, or if they have a bad idea.
8. "Tore up"
Meaning: extremely upset (can also refer to a broken object)
Etymology: Some etymological dictionaries claim that it comes from 17th century Creole.
This one can have a lot of different meanings, but one way I’ve noticed is mostly only used by Southerners is to be upset about something; i.e. “I’m all tore up over the football game last night.” The phrase might also exist as “torn up,” but the “n” is often dropped due to Southern accents. I’ve also heard it be used to describe a totaled car, in the words “a tore up car.”
