Linguistic Adventures in the South

One of the obvious advantages of having lived in several different places is learning about different areas of the country.  Each time we've moved,  it's been an adventure to learn about our new surroundings.  Not only does this entail an increased amount of adaptability on our part (i.e. quickly learning our way around a new place, knowing the most important questions to ask to get settled in to the area, etc.), but for language nerds like me, it always entails a linguistic adventure as well.  When I moved from northern Ohio to Cincinnati as a young adult, there were a few random things I noticed.  I learned that most people "vacuum" their houses rather than "sweep" them.  I also learned that, although a "drive-thru" in northern Ohio often does refer to a sort of drive-through convenience store (why get out of the car to buy beer when you can just go to the drive-thru??), outside of that area, the term really only refers to the lane circling a fast food joint.

When Cliff and I left Ohio for Iowa, we didn't notice a lot of obvious differences (it was still the Midwest, after all), but we were struck by the use of "tavern" to refer to a sandwich rather than a local watering hole.  Apparently, in Iowa, rather than eating sloppy joes, they eat a similar (but still slightly different) loose meat sandwich referred to as a tavern.  I also noticed that people in Iowa "scooped" their driveways after a snowfall rather than "shoveling" them.

When we made the decision to move to the South back in 2011, I knew we were in for lots of big changes.  Bushy maple trees with thick trunks were replaced with tall, tall pine trees with skinny, skinny trunks.  Brown dirt was replaced by red clay.  Soft, lush, green grass was replaced by dry, prickly, often sickly looking brownish grass (it is pretty hot and dry here in the summer!).  Blustery, cold winters were replaced by an extended autumn that pretty much slides right into spring.  Innocuous brown ants were replaced by evil, flesh eating fire ants (I HATE these!!!).  And, of course, "you"/"you guys"/"you all" was replaced by "y'all."

Now, I expected the onslaught of "y'all", and for the most part I'm used to it.  My grammar particular nature prevents me from ever uttering this phrase myself (and let's face it, I would sound like an idiot trying to pull it off anyway), and I do shudder when people misspell it "ya'll", but overall I have gotten used to it, just as I have "Well, bless your heart!"  Here are some other Southerisms I wasn't quite as prepared for.

*buggy:  When I go to the grocery store, I use a cart.  People here put their food in a buggy.

*eye: 1.)  the organ with which one sees., 2.) the center of a hurricane, and 3.) a Southern term for the burner on a stove (?!!)

*convenience centers:  We don't have recycling centers here.  We take our recyclables to a convenience center, which may be one of the greatest misnomers in this county since our centers' hours are anything but "convenient".  Also, at the convenience centers, there are large dumpsters to hold big, household trash items such as worn out furniture.  These items are inexplicably referred to as "brown goods".  (Huh??)

*might could:  This one just kills me.  Example: "Would you be able to meet to discuss this fundraiser on Friday?"  --"I might could if I get out of my doctor appointment on time."

*fixin' to:  Nobody here is "about to do" anything.  "Do you want anything to drink?  I'm fixin' to go to the vending machine."

*having pictures made:  At Laura's school, at her dance recitals, etc., the kids don't have their professional pictures taken.  They have their pictures "made."

*put your things up:  When I get home from the grocery store, I put things away.  People here put their things up.

*drop cord:  Our first month here, our wonderful neighbor saw Cliff doing yard work, and his extension cord for his trimmer was stretched to the max at the top of our front yard.  He came over and asked Cliff if he needed more "drop cord" to finish the job.  It took Cliff a bit to even realize what he was offering!

*Coke: There is no flexibility for me on this issue.  Pepsi is NOT Coke.  I know, I know, all soft drinks in the South are "Coke".  I will call it pop or soda, but I will NEVER call my Pepsi Coke.

And now for the prize winner.  This is one I just picked up recently on a trip through the Walgreens drive-thru to pick up a prescription for Nathan.

Me:  I have a prescription to pick up for my son, Nathan Towner.
Her: I'm sorry, it's not ready yet.
Me: But it's almost 8:00.  I called in the refill to be ready by 7:00.
Her: I know ma'am, but we've been covered under all day.

Say what???!  Apparently when you're really busy, you're "covered under"??  Who knew??

I'm sure this list will continue to grow.  As I said, I am a total nerd for this kind of stuff.  Local colloquialisms fascinate me (even when they completely puzzle me).  I can't wait to see how many more expressions I decode in our time here.  And for the record.....I STILL cannot get used to everyone calling me "Ma'am" or "Ms. Gina."  I wonder if that will ever feel normal......

Gina