Southern Confusion

3 Southern Thesaurus entries for you.  I realize that I owe you.  (It’s been a while!)

Southern Thesaurus – Entry #10

North Charleston = Nort/Nor Charleston

That lil “th” means nothing.  I don’t know why, but it’s just the way it is.  I was shocked at first, but now you can consider me officially GUILTY.  I, too, leave off those pesky little letters!  I don’t have time for that nonsense  ;)

My favorite part of the Nor Charleston – the Tanger Outlets (from here)

Southern Thesaurus – Entry #11

Asheville = Asheville (rhyming with Ashehill – totally normal!) BUT…

Greenville = Greenvull (rhyming with “Greenfull”)

Very Southern sounding.  I can’t.  I just can’t.

BTW – there’s a Greenville in North AND South Carolina.  Just to confuse me.

Southern Thesaurus – Entry #12

Lightning Bugs = Fireflies

I haven’t seen any since we’ve lived here, so I haven’t heard much about them. However, country music has taught me this thesaurus entry (thanks, old school Faith Hill).

(from here)

I have no explanations for the above entries.  Just wanted to share!  =)

THANKS! 

Check out my second Babycenter blog by clicking here.  4 more to come.

Thank you for all of the positivity and supportive comments.  They mean the world to me. ♥

Seriously.

My heart is full.

Asheville blog tomorrow…promise!!!

GO GIANTS!!!

p.s. Johnny T. is here and Jon C. will be here in about 24 hours.  Do I really have to work tomorrow?!

p.s.s. The weather has been unreal…so beautiful!!!  

Beach Count: 64  

High Temperature: 73°

Southern Thesaurus — Entry #9 (It’s been a while!)

Bless Your Heart

from here

Wowza, this one is com-pli-cated!  I’ve been holding onto this one for a while (yes, I have a Southern Thesaurus “bank!”) so that I could be sure to understand it thoroughly.  I think I sorta figured it out!

I have learned that this saying means MANY DIFFERENT THINGS. Here’s my best attempt at breaking it down (native Southerners, feel free to set this sister straight!)… 

1. Heartfelt empathy – Situation: I miss my flight to New York.  I’m crying in the airport like a big fat baby.  Lady in line behind me -  “Oh sweetie, bless your heart.” = “Oh sweetie, I am so very sorry that you are going through this.  Been there and it’s awful.”

2. Pity – Situation: I drive too confidently close to my garage door.  So close that I hit it.  Oops!  (This IS hypothetical, but could honestly happen tomorrow.)  Neighbor under her breath – “Oh boy, bless her heart.” = “Poor schmuck.  I’m shocked it’s taken her this long to take a chunk out of that garage door!”

3. Kudos – Situation: I work a 12-hour day, when it’s supposed to just 7.5, due to pure dedication and love for making this world a better place.  (Again, hypothetical!)  Family member: “Wow, that’s dedication.  Bless your heart!” = “Wow, that’s dedication.  Good for you!”

4. An attempt to make a nasty comment sound more polite (or, um, Southern?) - Situation: I see a person walking in the pouring rain on the side of the road being splashed repeatedly by puddles.  The forecast said 90% chance of rain.  Um, duh.  I say (to myself, of course!): “Um, good going.  No need for a jacket or umbrella – dumbo.  Ever heard of looking out the window?  Hmph, bless your heart!” = “Um, good going.  No need for a jacket or umbrella – dumbo.  Ever heard of looking out the window?  [I'm not a bad person.]”

And there ya have it.  A loaded Southern phrase – without a doubt!  I’m overly cautious to use it, just yet.  Baby [Southern] steps!

Please enjoy a little Miranda Lambert sassiness.  Lyrics including “bless your heart” are below!

Miranda Lambert – Only Prettier

Well I’ve been saved by the grace of Southern charm
I got a mouth like a sailor and yours is more like a Hallmark card
And if you wanna pick a fight
Well I’m gonna have to say goodnight
I don’t have to be hateful, I can just say bless your heart

Southern friends – Do you use bless your heart?  If so, in which way do you use it most?  Did I miss any other meanings?  Do tell!!!

Southern Thesaurus suggestions?  Ones that you love?  Hate?

Lemme know so I can blog about ‘em!

p.s. It’s been rainy on and off for days…Scott and I are in serious need of some beach time.  Bring on the SUN!

p.s.s. Fall beer tasting party at our house this Saturday – sooooo excited!!!

Beach Count: 61  

Pool Count: 18 

High Temperature: 83°

Southern Thesaurus — Entry #8

On the Verge/About to/Preparing to/Planning on/Getting Ready to = Fixin’

That’s right.  It’s a verb.

As in – “I’m fixin’ to get some lunch” or “I’m fixin’ to go to the beach” or “I’m fixin’ to fix my truck, because it quit.”  Or maybe not that last one.  Got a little carried away.

According to this shirt, Texas really likes this saying as well!

via here

Right now I’m fixin’ to watch a 2-hour commercial-filled fun-filled Bachelorette with a big ol’ bowl of Scotty’s famous popcorn!!!  (I think Constantine’s out, like Seacrest.)

Seriously though, I hope I never say “fixin’.”  The North wins this one – without a doubt!

p.s. I owe you another blog.  Maybe I’ll work on it during The Bachelorette’s gazillion commercials!

p.s.s. Once I get to Southern Thesaurus entry #10, I’m quizzing your @$$es.  So you better study up, kids!

Beach Count: 53

Pool Count: 16

High Temperature: 97°

Southern Thesaurus — Entry #7

Stop = Quit

Sassy little stop girl, isn’t she?!

Not as in “I quit my job,” (how I would use “quit”) but as in…

There are other ways Southerners use “quit,” but I quit remembering.  (Does that work?  I tried!)

p.s. Sassy stopper from here.

Beach Count: 48

Pool Count: 11

High Temperature: 89°

Southern Thesaurus — Entry #6

Toilet Paper = Tissue

As in, there’s no “tissue” in the bathroom.  Hm.

According to Wikipedia, other slang terms for toilet paper are ”loo roll,” “toilet roll,” “dunny roll,” “bathroom tissue,” “4 inch,” or “TP.”  We def use “TP” when writing on the grocery list, but mostly because we’re lazy.

I’m not sure about “4 inch.”  What do you think?  I think I kinda like it!

p.s. Question – what do Southerners call tissues, then (as in – for your nose)?

p.s.s. Sorry for the potty talk!

Beach Count: 42

Pool Count: 11

Lake Laying Count: 2

High Temperature: 87°

Southern Thesaurus – Entry #5

Accident = Wreck

Every car accident (as we Northerners call ‘em) or car crash is called a “wreck” here in Charleston.  Many a morning, I hear about a wreck on the Don Holt Bridge or on Highway 17.  Little accidents, lots of wrecks.  I’m pretty sure “wreck” is used all-inclusively down here, from fender benders to major collisions.  From golf carts to tractor trailers.  I don’t like to hear about any “wreck” – big or small – well, except for when it takes place at one particular location…

That location would be…wait for it…on Rutt Road.  I CANNOT help but laugh when I hear that there’s another “wreck on Rutt Road.”  Yes, there’s a Rutt Road in the area.  (Say it out loud if you’re struggling with why this is funny.)  Google Maps made a liar outta me (I can’t find the stupid street, even after trying lots of creative spelling options), but believe you me…I wouldn’t think to make up such a thing.  I always think, “Zoinks, I hope Scooby and Shaggy are okay!”…and then I strangely become hungry for a yummy snack.

Who jokes about accidents?  Seriously…I’m a sick ticket, I know!

p.s. Happy 1 year anniversary to one of our favorite restaurants in Charleston – Coleman Public House.  I will devour your *Barnyard Burger* (Goat Cheese, Oven Roasted Tomato, Fresh Spinach, Caramelized Onions) and yummo fries verrrrry soon!  My husband?  He will focus on your beverages!

p.s.s. The Bachelorette starts tonight!  It’s Ashley…the dentist dental student who made it far (no pun intended, I’m sure) with Brad Womack during the last Bachelor season.  Buckle up…it’s time to witness a serious “wreck” or two!

Beach Count: 41

Pool Count: 10

High Temperature: 93º

Southern Thesaurus – Entry #4

Shopping Cart = Buggy

“Trolley” and “carriage” are apparently 2 other “shopping cart” synonyms.  No likey.  It will forever be a cart to me.  Sorry.  The North wins this time.

When it comes to shopping carts in Charleston, though, let’s talk efficiency.  (This kind of stuff is sadly important for us grown-ups.)  Harris Teeter’s are pretty smooth.  There’s a cup holder handy for my occasional Starbucks AND they have adorable mini-carts for kids to push around while shopping with their parents. Super cute!  Whole Foods‘ carts must have Bentley wheels.  But, I wouldn’t know. I’ve only been in there twice.  It’s more like a museum to me…you should see their mushroom exhibit!  Publix has the Cadillac of shopping carts – smoother than a baby’s bottom (hmm, not sure that worked)!  Walmart’s carts are, well, Walmart’s.  Soon enough, I’ll report back on Trader Joe’s carts because they’ll be in Charleston come June – yay!

p.s. Call ‘em what you want, but please put them away before leaving the grocery store.  Don’t be one of those people!

p.s.s. Wouldn’t shopping carts in the above colors make grocery shopping more fun?!

Beach Count: 39

Pool Count: 6

High Temperature: 81º

Southern Thesaurus — Entry #3

Sneakers = Tennis Shoes

This is a pretty well known synonym, I know.  I also know that its usage is not exclusive to South Carolina.  Still hate it though.  What about those of us who DON’T play tennis?  Seems like a silly name for any old sneaker.  According to Wikipedia, other names used for sneakers are athletic shoes, sandshoes, gym boots, joggers, running shoes, runners, gutties, gym shoes, tennies, sports shoes, sneaks, tackies, rubber shoes, or canvers.  Canvers – really?  Yikes – I guess I shouldn’t complain too much about people saying tennis shoes, huh?!

What do you call your “sneakers?”   Which name do YOU hate the most?

Speaking of tennis…we went to our first ever tennis match last night at the Family Circle Cup on Daniel Island.  What a gorgeous night and what a great event! (Small detail – there’s not much talking at tennis matches.  Very. intense.)  We missed out on seeing Caroline Wozniacki, the top seed, but instead saw Julia Goerges and Elena Vesnina duke it out.  Elena was the grunter.  Julia?  Not so much.  The grunting seemed to work for Elena Vesnina though, as she made quite the comeback to win!  I won’t attempt giving any more tennis-specific details because I would just make a fool of myself and make knowledgable tennis fans angry.  All in all – it was very cool to watch.  Definitely not the best event to attend for people who want to let a little loose on a Friday night after another “one of those” weeks, though.  Oh well – we kept it together!  I’d love to go again next year, too.  Here are some pretty pics from our seats way up high.  I look forward to going to a concert at this stadium.  Not a bad seat in the house!

p.s. If the layout of this post looks odd, I apologize.  It’s acting funny today.

p.s.s. 4 days until our April company starts filtering in – yay!

Beach Count: 35

High Temperature: 89° (!)

Southern Thesaurus — Entry #2

Hurry Up = Giddy-Up!

No really, I heard a Mom saying this to her 5 year old son the other day.  And it wasn’t meant to be funny.  ”C’mon, giddy-up!”

Beach Count: 35

High Temperature: 55° (but at least we’re not getting a SNOW STORM tomorrow, sorry NY)

Lollipops = Suckers

Discuss…