Essential Southern Phrases
Southerners are known for a lot of things like our mouthwatering food, year-round warm weather and of course our one-of-a-kind accents! If you find yourself anywhere south of the Mason-Dixon line you will likely hear a lot of phrases that sound like a foreign language. As Southerners, we have grown accustomed to folks from out of town being delighted in our day-to-day conversations. We will happily translate when necessary! Liberty County is no exception to the Southern drawl and expressive phrases. We put together a helpful guide of essential southern phrases for your next visit!
“More Than One Way to Skin a Cat”
You might use this phrase if you made a pot of Brunswick stew one way, but your friend chose to use a different recipe. The true meaning is that there is more than one way to do something the right way! Both pots of stew ended up tasting delicious, so there’s more than one way to skin a cat.
“Butter My Butt and Call Me A Biscuit”
Speaking of mouthwatering food, a list of Southern phrases wouldn’t be complete without at least one that includes a true Southern staple: homemade biscuits! So, when you absolutely can’t believe something happened, and “I declare” just won’t cut it – butter my butt and call me a biscuit. This phrase will have you covered!
“As All Get Out”
You may hear this phrase commonly at the end of a sentence, because it intensifies any statement. When your friend gets you so tickled that you’re about pee your pants you would say, “you are funny as all get out!” There is no higher level of measurement than, “all get out.”
“You Could Drive a Preacher to Drink”
This phrase is used when you’re so exasperated with someone’s repeated poor behavior. This is a very common phrase among the parents of teens. Most southern preachers don’t partake in drinking alcohol. If you can make a preacher forget his values and crack open a cold one, you must have been pretty awful!
“Pitchin’ a Fit”
A phrase most kids raised in the South will hear growing up is “pitchin’ a fit.” It’s usually followed up with advice to stop! This particular phrase is used for any situation where a child (or an adult) is acting in a disrespectful manner. This is typically over something that isn’t worthy of the reaction.
“I’m Fixin’ To”
In the South, no one says, “I’m about to” we say, “fixin’ to.” We’re handy and we’re always fixing things! Don’t mistake this for a timeframe, just because you’re “fixin’ to” doesn’t mean it’ll happen today or even this week.
“Bless Your Heart”
One of the more popular phrases us Southerners are known for and one that can have many different uses! It can be used by your Mama when you bring her the Mother’s Day gift you made in Sunday school. But hearing this phrase is not always good thing, it can be a backhanded compliment too. This is a true Southern lady’s way of saying, “Are you really that stupid?”
If y’all come down to Liberty County then you’re very likely to hear one or all of these essential southern phrases. Southerners know how to turn on that charm and work their magic. Stop saying you’re “fixin’ to” come see us and do it already!
