20 Southern Sayings

Southerners have come up with some out of this world sayings. Whether you are from another part of the country or from another country altogether, we hope you enjoy this collection of Southern sayings.

1. Bless your heart.

While this phrase can be meant sincerely, it usually has an edge. This is a refine way of insulting your intelligence without using so many words.

2. If I had my druthers.

"If I had my way" or "If I had my choice." Merriam-Webster points out that "druther" has its origin in classic American fiction, where Mark Twain's characters Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn used it as a shortening of "would rather."

3. Hold your horses.

If you're rushing into action without thinking things through.

4. She's stuck up higher than a light pole.

If a "stuck up" person thinks that they're better than everyone around them, someone who's "stuck up higher than a light pole" has some serious ego issues.

5. Finer than a frog's hair.

If something is as fine as frog's hair, it is very delicate and fine. The phrase is facetious as frogs do not possess hair—hence this colorful compliment.

6. If it had been a snake, it would have bitten me.

We've all had the experience of searching madly for something that ended up being right in front of us. (Some of us several times a day.) This phrase means that the object of your hunt was so close, it could've literally struck.

7. Sweatin' like a sinner in church.

Have you ever been outside on a hot summer day where it feels like the earth is just on fire? Sometimes it just so hot that you end up a sweaty mess and just can’t stop. Well down in the south if you wanted to describe just how much your sweating you might tell them that you’re “sweating like a sinner in church,” and they will understand just what you mean. After all, a sinner might become a bit nervous trying to stay calm inside a church.

8. Heavens to Betsy. 

Or "Oh my goodness!" "For Heaven's sake", it's an exclamation that people use to express shock or indignation.

9.  Give me some sugar. 

Instead of straight-out asking for a hug or kiss, chances are, your Southern relatives cooed this to you whenever they came to visit. Kelly uses this one quite often with her grandkids.

10. Knee-high to a grasshopper. 

Refers to smallness associated with a young age. "I haven't seen you since you were knee-high to a grasshopper."

11. Madder than a wet hen. 

You probably don’t want to approach someone who’s “madder than a wet hen.” This means that they’re seriously angry, and they might even be throwing something of a hissy fit. 

When hens were brooding (angry and troublesome), Southern farmers used to dunk them in cold water in an effort to make them snap out of this phase. By doing so, they could collect eggs more easily. 

12. Jiminy Christmas 

It's a polite way of  taking the Lord's name in vain. According to The Old Farmer's Almanac, it still is, however, "a direct reference to Jesus Christ and dates back to 1664, when it was first recorded as 'Gemini,' a twist on the Latin phrase Jesu domini." I had no idea about this expression, I’ll have to rethink saying this 😉

13. His knickers are in a knot. 

If you become overly upset or emotional about something, especially if it's trivial or unimportant.

14. Fixin' to. 

This one I'm sure you've heard which means that you're about to (or thinking about) doing something, whether that's make a snack, go to work, or give someone a piece of your mind.

15. That dog don't hunt. 

"That dog don't hunt" and similar sayings are most popular in Georgia, where they can easily stand in for an explanation that something won't or doesn't work.

16. Quit being ugly. 

Our mother use to say this to us. If we were being nasty, mean or rude she would call us out. So when that insult comes your way, you'd better take a hard look at your manners and behavior. 

17. Running like a chicken with his head cut off. 

Basically it means you are maybe slightly panicking, not knowing what to do, without any direction or plans of what to do. Been there done that!

18. He squeezes a quarter so tight the eagle screams. 

You are cheaper than cheap! This one tickles me. 

19. He doesn’t have a pot to piss in or a window to throw it out of.

This simply means extremely poor with no money or a place to to call home and do your business.

20. I'll have a coke. 

Regardless if it's Dr. Pepper, Coca-Cola, or another carbonated beverage, it's called Coke in the South.

Have you heard or said any of these sayings yourself? Do you have a particular saying that your parents said to you? We'd love to hear from you. Comment below!

Stay safe and healthy,

~Kelly

The Sassy Silver Sisters

Cathy, Rhonda & Kelly

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