The South is a wonderful place to grow up, work, and live. It's a place with ever-changing weather, delicious soul food, and legendary college football rivalries. Though this place and her many aspects of dialect are commonplace to me, I am no stranger to the idea that the way we say things isn't necessarily the way people from other places say things. Through many trips across the nation and abroad, this has been made clear, so I intend to shed a little light on twenty of our most "confusing" words and phrases.
1. Fixin' To
It means 'about to'.
Southern Example:
"I'm fixing' to take out the trash."
Standard Example:
"I'm about to take out the trash."
2. Doctored Up
it means to change something in order to benefit yourself.
Southern Example:
I know she doctored up her time sheet, there's no way she got 45 hours this week."
Standard Example:
I know she changed her time sheet, there's no way she got 45 hours this week."
3. Good and Well
It means 'for a fact' or a proceeding phrase is factual.
Southern Example:
"I know good and well I told you clean your room."
Standard Example:
"I know for a fact I told you to clean your room."
4. A Round Tuit/ Around To It.
Roughly translates to "when I get time".
Southern Example:
"I'm going to clean out the car when I get a round tuit."
Standard Example:
"I'm going to clean out the car as soon as I get time."
5. Tore Slap Up
Someone who is tore slap up is very upset about something.
Southern Example:
"Geneva has been tore slap up ever since Earl died."
Standard Example:
"Geneva has been absolutely devastated ever since Earl died."
6. Bless Your/Her/His Heart
Two possible meanings.
a.) A term of passive aggression used to nullify a mean comment. Similar to 'no offense'.
Southern Example:
"My, Georgia looks simply trashy in that short skirt, bless her heart."
Standard Example:
"My Georgia looks simply trashy in that short skirt, no offense."
b.) A term of concerned endearment or gratitude."
Southern Example:
"Bless your heart, you look like you don't feel well."
Standard Example:
"
7. Warsh/ Warshing
It means wash, or clean.
Southern Example:
"I swear, I'm always warshing dishes or children.
Standard Example:
"I swear, I'm always washing dishes or children."
8. Tickled Pink.
It means you are absolutely happy.
Southern Example:
Martha Jean's engagement to that McCuller boy has me absolutely tickled pink!
Standard Example:
Martha Jean's engagement to Mr. McCuller's son has me absolutely ecstatic!
9. Ain't
It means "Am Not".
Southern Example:
I ain't going to her wedding shower."
Standard Example:
"I am not going to her wedding shower."
10. Ugly
Can mean undesirable appearance but usually means being unkind.
Southern Example:
"Dan, don't be ugly, share your toys with your sister!"
Standard Example:
"Dan, don't be mean, share your toys with your sister!"
