Webster's Southern Dictionary

There are some terms that have a totally different meaning in the South...



1.Ya'll
In most places up North, the term ya'll is not a very common occurrence. Down South, it's a word used in almost every sentence."What are ya'll doin tonight" or " Did ya'll see the Panthers game?" "Did ya'll know this milk was expired." In fact, it's used so much where i'm from, you'll get looked at like you have four eyes if you by mistake say "you guys" instead.

2.Football
If I were listing this terms in order of importance, football would be number 1. It doesn't matter whether it's high school football, college football, the NFL, or even peewee, During the fall months, football is life, Every other car on in my town, sport their team flag of choice, on their cars(hopefully it's the Panthers). During church you'll see the guys,and even the ladies, looking down and checking the stats of the game while the Preacher is preaching his sermon. Matter of fact, I know of churches who even go as far as close their doors on football Sundays.High School football is such a huge deal that many of the players I knew growing up, never had to make up missing assignments or were given A's if they had to travel during school for games.Yep, football is pretty much it's own religion.

3.Manners
Down South you better use the words yes ma'am and yes sir or you'll feel a swift hit to the side of your face. Open the door for everyone and smile when someone walks by.No slurping at the dinner table and guests always eat first.When mama or grandma say sit up straight, you sight up straight.It's as if the Queen of England was about to walk in at any minute. It was a common occurrence when I was younger, to be told to act more ladylike at least 3 times a day,

4. BBQ
There's not just one type of BBQ. The most common are Texas barbecue, Kansas city barbecue, Memphis barbecue, South Carolina and North Carolina barbecue, If anyone ever ask you who has the best kind say North Carolina, even if you've never even tasted it before. There hasn't been one cookout or gathering that i've been to that has not served BBQ.

5,Fixin
When using the word fixin, it means two things. You primarily use the term when talking about what you're going to do or about to do.Such as, "i'm fixin to clean the garage." It could also be used to refer to side dishes in meals like vegetables, rice,etc.Those are considered fixins.

6.Humidity/AC
If humidity was what the devil invented to punish  us in the South. A.C. was a device sent by God. Seriously, there is nothing worse then living in 90 percent humidity 7 months out of the year. You battle with yourself internally over whether to go outside and enjoy the sunny weather or if you should stay inside and keep your sanity. It's so bad, that the humidity many times  feels like thick fog on your skin.

7.Country Music
You either love it or you hate it.But if you live down South you better learn how to tolerate it cause you'll hear it everywhere. And I truly mean EVERYWHERE. Grocery stores, malls, car dealerships, and restaurants play the radio station 101.3 on repeat. There's no better place to live at either, if you want to hear some of the biggest names in country music.

8.Bless Your Heart
There has never been a better insult ever invented.Most people would believe it to be a term of sincerity or caring.WRONG. It's just a very nice way of calling someone an idiot.

9.The South
To many individuals, the South is just a southern part of the United States with backwards thinking.But to us who have grown up there, the South is the best place on Earth. No other place will you find some of the sweetest most loving individuals. A place where you can walk down the street,smile, and start up a conversation with a complete stranger. A place where taking it slow and easy is a way of life.A place where manners are held to a standard and where you learn most of your life lessons from the elders in your family.It's not just a word, it's a way of life.