If you've ever done any traveling out of the Southern region of the United States, you know how it is. You can't go out to eat and order sweet tea and it be made the right way. (Of course, nothin' will ever come close to the taste of Mama's sweet tea.) People claim your accent is hard to understand and that your grammar is illiterate. Those Northerners are always adding a "g" to the end of your verbs; don't they know G's are silent? Nothin' you say seems to make sense to anyone who doesn't come from southern roots. But that's alright, their loss.
1. Y'all.
"You" is one person. "Y'all" is two. And "All Y'all" is three or more.
2. Sayin' Grace.
It's praying and thanking God for all your blessings before you chow down on some of Grandmama's home cooking.
3. Can I have a coke?
Ask any waiter in the South, and they'll answer with, "Sure, what kind?"
4. I'm fixin' to.
Hold your horses, I'm getting to it.
5. Goodness gracious.
A replacement for "Oh my God," because we don't take the Lord's name in vain.
6. That's the pot calling the kettle black.
For all you hypocrites out there.
7. Lord Have Mercy/Bless Your Heart.
What we say when we don't have anything nice to say about you or your situation.
8. Gimme some sugar.
A grandma's demand for a neck hug and a little bit of lovin'.
9. Do what?
We either 1) didn't hear you, so you need to repeat; 2) are in shock of what you said; or 3) we're thinking you should take it back before we knock your teeth out.
10. Supper.
It's the real dinner.
11. Boots.
No, this isn't a phrase. It's just a staple piece to any down-home Southerner's wardrobe. If you ain't got boots, you ain't Southern.
Being raised in the South is a blessing. We are the most polite house guests, most rowdy football fans and most dedicated church goers. Sayin' grace and blessing your heart is just a part of it. We have a language all of our own and, if you ask me, I think it all makes sense. But then again, why should my opinion matter? After all, I am a little biased.
