Southern US English: English Vocabulary List

(Southern US) to be about to do something; to be preparing for an action

"I am fixin to leave."

"She said she was fixin to start cooking dinner for her family as soon as she got home."

(Southern US) to be about to do something

"He is finna go."

"They told us they were finna head out to the concert, so we decided to join them."

(Southern US) to tip over or spill accidentally

"He tumped over his drink accidentally."

"The toddler managed to tump over his full cup of juice on the clean white tablecloth."

(Southern US) at some distance in a specified direction

"Look over yonder."

"The old farmhouse stood yonder, nestled amongst the rolling hills and surrounded by ancient oak trees."

(Southern US) a small, narrow valley, often between hills or mountains

"He lives in a holler in West Virginia."

"The farm was located at the bottom of a holler surrounded by wooded hills on all sides."

(Southern US) used to express possibility

"I might could help."

"If the weather holds up, we might could have a picnic in the park this weekend."

(Southern US) used to soften or soften the impact of an insult, often in an ironic way

"Bless her heart, she tried."

"He forgot his lines during the play, bless his heart, but he kept going with a smile."

(Southern US) boastful or arrogant but having nothing to back it up

"He's all hat, no cattle."

"The politician made many grand promises but was ultimately all hat and no cattle, failing to deliver any real change."

a package or set of items for adults, often including liquor, cigarettes, or other adult-oriented goods

"He bought a Florida happy meal."

"The convenience store advertised a special "Florida happy meal" that included a bottle of wine and a pack of cigars."

(Florida, Southern US) a young person, often used by someone older to refer to someone younger or less experienced

"The jit was too young to drive."

"The little jit always tagged along with his older brother despite being too young for their activities."

(Southeastern US, especially Florida) a sandwich purchased from the Publix supermarket chain, often made to order

"I want a pub sub."

"For a quick and delicious lunch, she decided to pick up a freshly made pub sub from the deli counter."

(Louisiana) a sandwich on French bread, typically filled with fried seafood, roast beef, or other meats

"He ordered a shrimp po' boy."

"The authentic New Orleans experience wouldn't be complete without trying a classic fried shrimp po' boy sandwich."

(Cajun English) my love, my dear; used affectionately to address someone

"Hello, cher, how are you?"

"The elderly woman greeted her granddaughter with a warm smile and a loving "cher, come here and give me a hug.""

(Southern US, Louisiana) a greeting asking about someone's family or loved ones

"How's ya mama and them?"

"Upon seeing her old friend, she immediately asked, "How's ya mama and them? It's been too long.""

(Louisiana, Cajun English) a strong craving or desire to eat something

"I have an envie."

"She felt a sudden envie for some spicy crawfish étouffée, a dish she hadn't had in months."

(Louisiana) a small bonus or extra gift, often given unexpectedly

"The baker gave us a free cookie as lagniappe."

"The baker always included a small lagniappe with each purchase such as an extra cookie or a piece of candy."

(Southern US) a rural or remote area, often difficult to navigate for outsiders

"We drove down a rabbit trail."

"The GPS signal was lost as they ventured further down a winding rabbit trail into the dense countryside."

(Southern US) any kind of soda or soft drink, regardless of brand

"Can I have some coke?"

"After the long hike, he gratefully accepted a cold coke to quench his thirst."

(Southern US) a messy or chaotic situation

"This is a tornado."

"The unexpected announcement created a real tornado of confusion and panic."

(Southern US) a shopping cart used in grocery stores

"Get a buggy."

"She grabbed a sturdy buggy to load up all her groceries for the week."

(Louisiana) referring to a po' boy sandwich prepared with all standard topping

"I want it dressed."

"He ordered his po' boy sandwich 'dressed' with lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise."