The south is a wild place, and our slang is even more wild. | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
popular

20 southern Sayings You think Are 'Cattywampus' if you ain't from the south

Growing up in the south taught me how to insult people and make it sound like a compliment, or how to express disgust without my mom "tannin' my hide."

10616
20 southern Sayings You think Are 'Cattywampus' if you ain't from the south
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bkiq7kLnleH/?hl=en&tagged=southerngirls

If you don't understand these slang terms, then bless your heart!

1. "Piddle"

To "piddle" means to waste time on something. My grandma used to always say "Quit piddlin' around, we're gonna be late for church!" You can piddle in anything. A child can piddle around in the mud; you can drive around for no real reason, just to "piddle."

2. "As nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs."

This one is pretty self explanatory, but it is one of my favorites. I love using this one in front of non-southerners and watching them stare at me, blank faced, as they try to reason out what I said.

3. "Slicker n' owl poop"

To say something is "slicker than owl poop" (or you can use a different word if your momma didn't raise you right), can be applied to just about anything. If someone is dressed well or "slick" then one might say that he is "slicker n' owl poop." Or, for instance, if its icy, rainy, or otherwise slippery outside, the phrase can be used here also. Additionally, if someone weasels their way out of something, then that phrase can be applied.

4. "It all comes out in the wash."

When something "comes out in the wash," that means that it will be resolved or that it the issue is not very important. For example, two friends might be deciding who will pay for dinner, and one person pays for the whole thing. Their friend might say, "You didn't have to do that." The southerner might respond, "Don't worry about it, it all comes out in the wash."

5. "A month of Sundays."

To say something hasn't happened "in a month of Sundays" means that it hasn't happened in a long time. Two old friends might meet up in the grocery store, and one might say to the other, "How are you? I haven't seen you in a month of Sundays!"

6. "Madder than a wet hen."

Why is the hen mad about being wet? I honestly don't know where this saying comes from, but I remember hearing it all the time growing up. Very rarely do I get mad enough to be "madder than a wet hen," but it is a whole new level of anger. Give a southern person their space when they say this.

7. "Busier than a one-legged man in a butt kicking contest."

This one is just comical. It's a personal favorite of mine, especially when I have had a particularly long day.

8. "Pitch a holy hissy fit."

Giphy

If you're from the south, you know that you don't just throw a fit, you pitch one, and it isn't just a fit, it's a hissy fit. While doing some research on this particular southern-ism, I found that the rumor is that "hissy" is short for hysterical. I knew if I ever threw a hissy fit, my momma would tan my hide or "give me something to cry about." Southern mommas don't but up with screaming children.

9. "Cattywampus"

Something that is cattywampus may be out of alignment, crooked, or something that has gone awry. If a strong gust of wind blows through your hair after you just left your beauty shop for your perm appointment, you might say that your messed up hair is "cattywampus" on your head.

10. "Going to hell in a hand basket."

For someone to say that something has "gone to hell in a hand basket," means that something has gone completely wrong. For example, if you are cheering on your home team and they lose by a staggering margin, you might say to your friend, "Well THAT went to hell in a hand basket!"

11. "Rode hard and put up wet."

To be "rode hard and put up wet," means that something or someone hasn't been taken good care of. This phrase originates from the act of putting away a horse after riding it without giving it a chance to cool down. So, if you see someone at your high school reunion that looks like the years have not been kind to them, you might say under your breath, "Wow, he looks like he was rode hard and put up wet."

12. "Good Lord willing and the creek don't rise."

This is usually a response after one makes plans or says goodbye to someone else.This particular saying means that as long as some unforeseen event doesn't come up, things will be fine. For instance, a person might say "Will you be at church on Sunday?" and the true southerner response would be, "Good Lord willing and the creek don't rise." People have speculated that this saying literally means that as long as the creek doesn't rise, we should be able to get there. Others believe that it is referencing the Creek Native Americans. Meaning as long as the Native Americans don't rise, our plans are still on.

13. "Bless your heart."

"Bless your heart," can be used in a variety of ways. Using it after someone tells you how they gambled away all their money might mean "Oh, you're such an idiot." However, if your kid has the flu, you might tell him, "Bless your heart!' In this case, it would mean that you are sympathetic. Context is everything.

14. "Sweating like a whore in church."

This phrase just means that you are sweating buckets. Imagine walking outside in the blistering summer heat where the heat index is 109; you might just say it too.

15. "Knee-high to a grasshopper."

Being "knee-high to a grasshopper," means that someone is small in stature. You'll hear this phrase at family get-togethers as, "Look at you all grown up! Last time I saw you, you were knee-high to a grasshopper!"

16. "As ugly as homemade sin."

"As ugly as homemade sin," is one phrase that cuts southerners deep. In the Bible belt, we view sin as ugly. Homemade anything is typically less attractive than mass produced items, so being uglier than homemade sin makes you as ugly as it gets. Ouch.

17. "Quit your bellyaching."

"Bellyaching," is a direct synonym for whining or complaining. So when a southern mom says "You had better quit your bellyaching," you know it is time to suck it up before you get a whoopin'.

18. "It doesn't amount to a hill of beans."

"A hill of beans," means that something is important. So, if something "doesn't amount to a hill of beans", then it doesn't amount to anything.

19. "There's more than one way to skin a cat."

As grisly as it might sound, no one in the south is actually going to skin a cat. "More than one way to skin a cat" means that there is more than one way to get to a solution.

20. "D'jeet?"

"D'jeet," is a super condensed form of "did you eat?" The proper usage would be, "D'jeet before school?" Taking the time to say "did you eat," is so long, and when food is a staple in the south, three syllables is too much. If someone ever responds "no" to that question, it is then your obligation as a southerner to make sure they are well fed.

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

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

190353
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

14983
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

457923
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

26669
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments