Few places in America have a way with words like the South. Southern sayings are colorful, funny and often more polite than they sound, or less polite than they sound, depending on the tone.
These are traditional expressions heard across states like Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Texas and the Carolinas. Each one comes with a plain-English meaning so you know exactly when to use it.
Our editor’s top picks
- “Bless your heart.” — Kind sympathy, or polite pity, depending on the tone.
- “I’m fixin’ to.” — I’m about to do something.
- “Y’all.” — You all; the South’s gift to grammar.
- “Well, butter my biscuit.” — I’m surprised!
- “Might could.” — Maybe I can.
Classic Southern sayings
Everyday expressions you’ll hear at the diner or the church potluck.
- “Over yonder.” — Over there, somewhere in that direction.
- “I’ll be there directly.” — I’ll be there soon (or eventually).
- “Heavens to Betsy!” — Oh my goodness!
- “Hold your horses.” — Slow down and be patient.
- “Gimme some sugar.” — Give me a hug or a kiss.
- “Well, I declare!” — I’m shocked.
- “Hissy fit.” — A dramatic tantrum.
- “Mash the button.” — Press the button.
Funny Southern sayings
Colorful comparisons that make people laugh.
- “Madder than a wet hen.” — Very angry.
- “Happy as a pig in mud.” — Completely content.
- “Slow as molasses in January.” — Extremely slow.
- “Busier than a one-armed paper hanger.” — Overwhelmingly busy.
- “Useless as a screen door on a submarine.” — Totally pointless.
- “Nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs.” — Very anxious.
- “Grinnin’ like a possum eatin’ a sweet potato.” — Smiling from ear to ear.
- “Full as a tick.” — Stuffed after a big meal.
Southern sayings about people
How Southerners describe folks, kindly or otherwise.
- “Too big for his britches.” — Acting more important than he is.
- “All hat and no cattle.” — All talk and no action (a Texas favorite).
- “Knee-high to a grasshopper.” — Very young or very small.
- “Sweet as pie.” — Very kind.
- “Doesn’t have the sense God gave a goose.” — Not very smart.
- “Raised right.” — Has good manners.
- “Pretty as a peach.” — Very pretty.
- “Tough as a pine knot.” — Very strong and resilient.
Southern sayings about weather and life
For hot summers, hard work and unpredictable days.
- “Hotter than blue blazes.” — Extremely hot.
- “The good Lord willin’ and the creek don’t rise.” — If nothing goes wrong.
- “Worn slap out.” — Completely exhausted.
- “Come hell or high water.” — No matter what happens.
- “It’s coming up a cloud.” — A storm is on the way.
- “Sure as shootin’.” — Absolutely certain.
- “Scarce as hen’s teeth.” — Extremely rare.
- “That dog won’t hunt.” — That idea won’t work.
Southern words you should know
Single words with big Southern flavor.
- “Cattywampus.” — Crooked or askew.
- “Tump.” — To tip over, as in “tump it over.”
- “Buggy.” — A shopping cart.
- “Coke.” — Any soda, no matter the brand.
- “Reckon.” — Suppose or think.
- “Holler.” — A small valley, or to yell.
- “Supper.” — The evening meal.
- “Kin.” — Relatives.
Frequently asked questions
How we put this list together: These are traditional folk expressions from the American South. Our editors explain each meaning in plain English based on common everyday usage. Written and reviewed by John Moler, editor at Graceful Names. See our editorial policy.
