Southern slang is a colorful and vibrant part of the region's culture, adding flavor to everyday conversations. From "y'all" to "fixin' to," these are some of the most common (and not so common) Southern slang terms heard throughout the South.
Understanding these expressions will not only help you communicate more effectively but also give you a deeper appreciation for the unique linguistic heritage of the region. So, whether you're "hankerin'" for a taste of Southern charm or just curious about local lingo, this guide has got you covered.
Ain't
Pronunciation: 'Ant
Etymology: Contraction of are not
Date: 1778
- Am not: are not: is not
- Have not: has not
- Do not: does not; did not (used in some varieties of Black English)
Air-Up
Function: Verb
To pressurize or inflate. Example: "Air-up your car tires before you go on a long trip."
A Larking
Function: Verbal phrase
Originates from the word "lark," which means to engage in harmless fun or mischief. To go a larking means to play a prank or joke on someone.
All Y'all
Etymology: Intensive form of y'all
This usage states, "you all" more emphatically. For example, saying "I know y'all," would mean that one knows a group of people, saying, "I know all y'all" would mean that one knows the members of the group individually.
Arkansas Toothpick
Function: Noun
A large knife.
Arkansawyer, Arkansan, Arkie
Function: Adjective or noun
- A resident or native of Arkansas.
- Referring to a resident or native of Arkansas.Residents who refer to themselves as Arkansawyers commonly proclaim, "There is no Kansas in Arkansas." when you call them Arkansans.
Bowed Up
Function: Colloquialism
Marked by impatience or ill humor. This refers to the way a snake bows up his head before he strikes.
Bread Basket
Function: Colloquialism
Stomach.
Cattywampus
Function: Adjective
Askew. Example: "The storm knocked the boat cattywampus, and it started to take on water."
Chief Cook and Bottle Washer
Function: Colloquialism
A person capable of doing many things.
Darn Tootin'
Function: Colloquialism
For sure. Correct. "You're darn tootin', that is oil."
Egg On
Function: Verbal phrase
To urge someone to do something. Example: "He only did it because the crowd egged him on."
Figure
Function: Verb
To calculate, consider, conclude, or decide. Example: "He hadn't figured on winning the lottery."
Fit as a Fiddle
Function: Colloquialism
In good shape, healthy.
Fit to Be Tied
Function: Colloquialism
Angry.
Fixin'
Function: Verb
To get set: Be on the verge. Example: "We're fixin' to leave soon."
Function: Noun
Customary accompaniments. Example: "We had a turkey dinner with all the fixins."
Frog Gig
Function: Noun
A pole used to spear frogs for cooking.
Function: Verb
The act of hunting frogs for meat. Often called "frog gigging."
Goobers
Function: Noun
Peanuts.
Grab a Root
Function: Colloquialism
Have dinner. "Root" refers to potatoes.
Hankering
Etymology: probably from Flemishhankeren, frequentative ofhangento hang; akin to Old Englishhangian
Function:Noun
A strong or persistent desire or yearning often used with for or after.Example: "I have a hankering for fried okra. I've really been craving it."
Heap
Function:Noun
A large quantity.Example: "Billy got into a heap of trouble when he stole his dad's car."
Hear Tell
Function:Verbal phrase
A form of "hear it told." Often conveys that the information was passed secondhand.Example: "I hear tell that the new mini-mall is going up next month."
Horse Sense
Function: Colloquialism
Smart.Example: "She has horse sense. She'll make it in business."
Howdy
Pronunciation: 'hau-dE
Function: Interjection
Etymology: alteration ofhowdo ye
Date: 1712
Used to express greeting.
Hunkey Dorey
Function: Adjective
Everything is great.
June Bug
Function: Noun
Date: 1829
Any of numerous rather large leaf-eating scarab beetles (subfamily Melolonthinae) that fly chiefly in late spring and have larvae that are white grubs, live in soil, and feed chiefly on the roots of grasses and other plants. Also calledJunebeetles.
Laying Out [All Night]
Function: Verbal phrase
Staying out all night, often drinking or doing something illicit.Example: "I was laying out at the bar last night, so I have a hangover."
Lazy Man's Load
Function: Colloquialism
A lazy man's load is an unmanageably large load carried to avoid making more than one trip. This colloquial phrase is often used to indicate that someone is too lazy to think properly.Example: "Sam took a lazy man's load of groceries out of the car and ended up spilling them all over the sidewalk."
Lickety-Split
Function: Colloquialism
Very quick.
Like To
Function: Adverbial phrase
Almost.Example: "I like to pee my pants when that car hit me."
Nearabout
Function: Adverb
Almost.Example: "Inearaboutran over that squirrel in the road."
No 'Count
Function: Contraction
Of no account; good for nothing.
Nuss
Function: Verb
To nurse.Example: "Shenussedthe sick dog to bring it back to health."
Okie or Sooner
Function: Noun
A resident or native of Oklahoma.
Ornery
Pronunciation: 'or-n&-rE, 'är-; 'orn-rE, 'ärn-
Function: Adjective
Inflected Form(s): or·neri·er; -est
Etymology: alteration of ordinary
Date: 1816
Having an irritable disposition.
Out of Kilter
Function: Colloquialism
Not right. Out of sorts.Example: "John was out of kilter for a while when he was relocated toNew York."
Pack or Tote
Function: Verb
To carry.
Particular
Function: Adjective
Concerned over or attentive to details: Meticulous.
People
Function: Noun
Relatives, kinfolk.Example: "Shelly went to see her people on vacation."
Piddlin'
Function: Adjective
Small or inferior.Example: "His work only gave him a piddlin' 1 percent raise.Function: Adverb
Poorly.Example: "She felt piddlin', so she didn't go to school."
Function: Verb
To waste time.Example: "He spent all his time piddlin' and never got anything done."
Possum-Pie
Function: Noun
A meat pie made froma possum.
Purdy
Function: Adjective
Pretty.
Rag-Baby
Function: Noun
A doll.
Reckon
Function: Verb
Etymology: Middle English rekenen, from Old English -recenian (as in gerecenian to narrate, akin to Old English reccan
Date: 13th century
- CountExample: "To reckon the days till Christmas."
- To regard or think of as—Consider
- Think, supposeExample: "I reckon I've outlived my time—Ellen Glasgow."
Redneck Caviar
Function: Noun
Potted meat.
Right
Function: Adjective
Very.Example: "You're right near the street you want to be on."
Rile
Function: Transitive verb
Inflected Form(s): riled; ril·ing
Etymology: var. of roil
Date: 1825
To make agitated and angry; Upset.
Ruther
Function: Verb
A form of rather.
Scarce as Hen's Teeth
Function: Colloquialism
Rare or scarce.
Sho 'Nuff
Function: Contraction
Sure enough.
Show
Function: Noun
A movie.
Shuck
Function: Verb
To remove the outer covering of a nut, corn, or shellfish.
Skedaddle
Function: Verb
Run, scatter.
Slap Your Pappy
Function: Colloquialism
To pat your stomach.
Snug as a Bug
Function: Colloquialism
Comfortable, cozy.
Tarnation
Function: Noun
Etymology: alteration of darnation, a euphemism for damnation
Date: 1790
Used to indicate surprise, shock, displeasure, or censure.
Tarred and Feathered
This refers to the practice of tarring and feathering people who committed small crimes such as distilling in colonial America (and in England). Today, it is often used to denote great surprise.Example: "I'll be tarred and feathered, that dog just flew!"
That Dog Won't Hunt
Function: Colloquialism
The idea or argument won't work.
Tore Up
Function: Adjectival phrase
- Broken.
- Upset.Example: "He was tore about wrecking his new Corvette."
Tote
Pronunciation: 'tOt
Function: Transitive verb
Inflected Form(s): tot·ed; tot·ing
Etymology: perhaps from an English-based creole; akin to Gullah & Krio tot to carry
Date: 1677
To carry by hand; bear on the person.
Trotline
Function: Noun
A long line on which short lines are attached, each with a hook, for catching catfish. Sometimes mispronounced as trout line.
Tump
Function: Verb
Etymology: Perhaps akin to British dialect tumpoke, to fall head over heels
Date: 1967
To tip or turn over, especially accidentally.
Uppity
Function: Adjective
Conceited.
Varmint
Function: Noun
Etymology: alteration of vermin
Date: 1539
An animal considered a pest; specifically, one classed as vermin and unprotected by game law.
Walking on a Slant
Function: Colloquialism
Drunk.
War Between the States; War for Southern Independence; War of Northern Aggression
Function: Noun
The Civil War.
Washateria
Variant(s): also wash·e·te·ria /wä-sh&-'tir-E-&, wo-
Function: Noun
Etymology: wash + -ateria or -eteria (as in cafeteria)
Date: 1937
Chiefly Southern: A self-service laundry.
Whup or Whoop
Pronunciation: 'hüp, 'hup, 'hwüp, 'hwup, 'wüp, 'wup
Function: Verb
The variant of "to whip." To hit or spank.
Y'all
Pronunciation: 'yol
Function: Contraction
Ye all or you all.
Yaller Dog
Function: Colloquialism
A coward.
Yankee
Function: Noun
Someone from the North.
Yeens
Function: Contraction
Ye ones.Example: "Yeens better go before you're late."
Yonder
Function: adverb
Etymology: Middle English, from yond + -er (as in hither)
Date: 14th century
At or in that indicated more or less distant place usually within sight.
Your Druthers Is My Ruthers
Function: Colloquialism
"Your preferences are mine," "We agree."
