It’s no surprise that people from the South have a vernacular unlike the rest of the country. Although we all live in the same country, we use some words differently based on where we grew up.
There is a long list of very common words that have multiple meanings. So, we compiled a list of words that pull double duty that we use on an almost daily basis. We’ve included what the word means in the South, and how everyone else in the country uses it.
Both definitions are right, but the Southern definition is more right, just sayin’!
Let’s take a look!
Sugar
In the South: A kiss
https://www.instagram.com/p/Btg-fxqnx5_/
Everywhere Else: A sweet-tasting ingredient in food. Ex: Pure Cane Sugar, brown sugar, etc.
Dressing
In the South: A bread based side dish most people will serve on Thanksgiving
Everywhere else: Condiment you put on salad
https://www.instagram.com/p/BOBN_OCBYxI/
Tea
In the South: Sweetened iced tea
https://www.instagram.com/p/BtyUvm2BFWz/
Everywhere: Unsweetened black iced tea
Fixing
In the South: When you are getting prepared to do something
Things are fixin' to get real good
— f.r.e.d. (@TexasFred_) February 11, 2019
Everywhere Else: Something you do when something is broken
Buggy
In the South: A shopping cart
https://www.instagram.com/p/Btqvk0chAhB/
Everywhere Else: A horse-pulled mode of transportation
https://www.instagram.com/p/BtuYWxAlauN/
Coke
In the South: Any carbonated beverage
View this post on Instagram
Everywhere Else: Coca-cola
https://www.instagram.com/p/BtyrgSclnxI/
Barbecue
In the South: Slow-cooked meat that goes well with barbecue sauce (ex. pulled pork, brisket)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BtyhGA3Dm9B/
Everywhere Else: Grilling hot dogs and burgers in the backyard
Best way to engage attendance for 4th of July. Cook hamburgers and Hotdogs for the recovery team. #NoCallinstonight pic.twitter.com/BAbWNNorxg
— Ed Llamas (@ed_llamas) July 4, 2015
Goober
In the South: Peanuts
Everywhere else: A goofball
Greens
In the South: Cooked collard greens
This is a pot of Collard Greens I recently made. If you are like me, you love them–I wrote in Forbes today on why hurricanes, California wildfires, and flooding have caused a shortage this Holiday and Christmas season, when they are staple at many dinners https://t.co/Ai7plDEH9I pic.twitter.com/n1Akefl54A
— Dr. Marshall Shepherd (@DrShepherd2013) December 24, 2018
Everywhere else: Salad, or green vegetables
Ugly
In the South: Misbehaving, spiteful rudeness
Everywhere else: A person who is not attractive
Do you say any of these words? Are there any we missed? Let us know in the comments!
In the meantime, watch Reese Witherspoon explain some Southern slang below.