Southern Accent and Sayings

Even though every one speaks English in the United States, each region has its own accent. Of all the regions, the Southern region accent or drawl is very famous. When a woman from Southern region speaks with that southern drawl, it is considered very charming and sexy. Most of the Americans are fascinated by southern accent.

There is always this joke that when Henry Kissinger and President Jimmy Carter met, they had to bring their own translators. Henry Kissinger with his thick German accent and Jimmy Carter with his Southern drawl.

Southern drawl can be described as a gliding diphthongization of stressed vowel. For example, they pronounce “yae-yis” for “yes”. “ti-ahm” for “time”. “ah” for “i”. "Ah'm dyoo home at fahv o'clock” means “I am due home at five o’clock”. “dyuty” for “duty”.

Short i is pronounced for short e. Therefore, Memphis is mimphis and Tennessee is Tinnissi.

Final consonants are often weakened. “mo” for “more”. “bes” for “best”. “flo” for “floor”

I can go on and on and on.

President Bill Clinton is from South. His wife Hillary Clinton is not from South. When she was campaigning for the Democratic Party’s nomination as a candidate for the President of USA (against Obama), she used fake Southern accent to woo the Southern voters. Take a look at it.



In addition, Southerners have their own sayings and special meanings for words. Here are some of them:

Ain't that the berries! (that is great!)

Caught with your pants down. (surprised and unprepared)

Do go on. (you must be joking)

Don't let your mouth overload your tail. (talking too much)

Don't bite off more than you can chew. (attempt what you can accomplish)

Go hog wild. (have a good time)

Go to bed with the chickens. (in bed early)

In high cotton. (rising up in society)

Every dog should have a few feas. (no one is perfect)

Like two peas in a pod. (act and think alike)

That takes the cake. (surprised)

Well, shut my mouth. (shocked and speechless)

AIRISH- cold

CHUNK- throw, toss

DIXIE- Southern States of the U.S.A

HOLD YOUR HORSES- (be patient)

MUCH OBLIGED- thank you; hope to return the favor

PIDDLE- waste time, doing nothing

RECKON- think or supose so.

SHINDIG- dance or celebration

SOUTHERN BELLE- Southern lady

SPRING CHICKEN- young thing

SWEET TALKING THING- has a good line

WORRY-WART- one who is annoying

YOSELF – yourself

CO’COLA – coca cola