Monday Manners: A Southern Expressions Quiz

I hope all of you had a wonderful weekend, and are continuing to enjoy your summer.  We had a great time at the beach, with great weather.  The only downside, I got strep throat on Saturday.  🙁  Thankfully, one of my friends who was at the beach with us, is an OB-GYN, so she called me in a Z-Pack on Saturday, and I’m already feeling much better!

I took this quiz on GRITS (Girls Raised in the South) Expressions, and lets just say I got almost all of them wrong.  I have never heard of many of these sayings.  Have you?  Also, I added these images, they were not part of the quiz.

 “— on me, if you will; but, don’t try to tell me it’s ——-.” Fill in the blanks.

“Pee” and “raining”. While all of these could be used with good application, only the one referring to stormy weather is the true Southern Expression. Since the 1960s, when many Southern Women made inroads into the professions in significant numbers, we Southern Women have put this expression to real good use. Examples: I know you did something really stupid; but just don’t try to lie about it. I know I’m the only one who knows how to do this; but don’t try to tell me it’s because you’re too damned busy. Later in the 90s: I know you have to cut my staff; but don’t tell me it’s right sizing.

 

What do we mean when we say Girlfriend is cukey/cookie/cukie/cookey?

She is peculiar. To my knowledge, there is no particular correct spelling of this word, which is Southern Woman Code for peculiar. We use it when we don’t want Boyfriend to know what we’re saying about Girlfriend. And, you know, Boyfriend is far too genteel to ask. (Or, maybe afraid.)

Girlfriend exclaims, “That looks like Fido!”  What does she mean?  (see above image of Lady Gaga)

That’s just plain tacky!. This is usually applied to a dress, decor, or any other person, place or thing Girlfriend finds tacky. 

Girlfriend-1 says to Girlfriend-2, “Don’t get your honey where you get your money.” What is this admonishment?

Don’t date men with whom you work.. A couple of these could be good advice. However, we always caution Girlfriend against becoming romantically involved with men at work. Men sometimes let their emotions get the better of them, especially if they are going through The Change. This can be awkward in the workplace.

Girlfriend-1 says to Girlfriend-2, “Your dumplins are boiling over.” What are we trying to tell her?

Her neckline is low, and much too revealing. That stove may well be hot; but that’s not her most serious problem. We are concerned that Girlfriend’s ample and perky bosoms are somewhat overly exposed. 

 

Girlfriend tells you, I feel like I’ve been dragged through —–, and beat over the head with a soot bag!” What’s the word we’re looking for?

Hades. The correct answer is Hades, a reference to the fiery place. Southern Women were once too refined to use the word “hell”. This expression means Girlfriend has been going through a particularly rough time. You know that the answer would never be Birmingham! We love Alabama; and Birmingham is a great place!

What does Girlfriend mean when she says, “He was raised on a stump”?

He was not raised right.. His upbringing was lacking. He did not grow up in a properly supervised home. His breeding, education, manners and other social advantages are obviously deficient.

“He must have something under the hood” is a cryptic communication about why Girlfriend is dating this boy. What does it mean?

He must possess prowess and skills in the romance department.. Though all sound like good applications, romance is the key to the answer. I first heard this expression from Girlfriend in Mississippi when I questioned why another girlfriend would bother with an unprepossessing looking boy.

Girlfriend says to a man, “Well, let me go to my purse and get you a dime.” What does she mean?

He stated an obvious truth in a condescending pompous way, as though it was so obscure that she could not possibly figure it out herself.. The answer is that he is stating an obvious truth. My cousin, Mary Ellen, used to say this to the sometimes arrogant, but usually very sweet, boy she married. 

 

What does Girlfriend mean when she says her Man is a “bank-walker”?

He is justifiably proud of his body.. This expression refers to the once popular pastime of “skinny-dipping” in a secluded swimming hole. Most of the boys were a little ashamed of themselves, and jumped right into the water to hide any discrepancies. Bank-walkers were willing to strut their stuff by strolling along the bank in full view.

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P.S. The next giveaway will be announced tomorrow!  🙂