A couple of years ago I met the most charming Irishman. He is a veterinarian/pathologist, and oh my goodness he is funny. He would call, I would answer, I would hear the most lovely, thick, Irish brogue:
"Hello, I need a translator, please."
"What, excuse me, what did you say? You need a what?"
My Texas drawl...I would laugh, he would speak, I would request a translator. We got along like two peas in a pod. Why I never accepted a meet and greet with this gentleman, I don't know. Maybe he had an Irish temper? And I had recently moved to the Wild West, and I was not going anywhere. Really, there was no good reason. The timing just wasn't right.
At any rate, thinking back to this brilliant man requesting an interpreter, I thought perhaps I would introduce you to some of the most common Southern Colloquialisms.
Y'all, All Ya'll
Don't be ugly (tacky)
Fixin' to
She looks like she's been rode hard and put away wet or ten miles of bad road
Bless your heart (depending on tone, you may want to run)
Barking up the wrong tree
Britches
Give me some sugar (a kiss)
Sugar, Darlin', Sweetheart (again, it all depends on the tone)
Hold your horses, slow your roll (just wait a minute, slow down)
Muddin' (SO much fun, nothing like going fast in a bunch of mud in a big truck)
There's not a pot too crooked that a lid won't fit (someone for everyone)
Reckon (probably true)
Back in the day (a few days ago, last year, 30 years ago)
She's like a bull in a china closet (me)
Tall drink of water (one fine man)
Like a duck on a June bug (fast)
Busy as a one legged cat in a sandbox
She's as lost as last year's Easter egg
Bout as useful as a steering wheel on a mule
If that boy had an idea it would die of loneliness
There are so many more, and I'm laughing after researching and refreshing my memory. Just so you know and don't get all uppity, too big for your britches, all education levels and backgrounds can be heard ripping off one or more of these, at any given time.
So now you've had your daily lesson, sweetheart.
You're welcome.
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