At the request of my sons, I’ve started compiling a list of saying’s that have been a part of my life. Every now and then I’ll stop them in their tracks with a bit of Southern Wisdom and some times they just shake their heads and go on about their business. A recent comment was made here that pointed to a common saying around the US that has a different meaning in other areas so as I’m getting this list together I thought I would share a few of them here and hopefully some of you will chime in with a few of your regional sayings and what they mean. Also if some of mine have different meanings to you and your region, please share those meanings. The different regions don’t have to be different countries since I know there are differences in Texas meanings and the rest of the US. Heck I grew up in Louisiana and there is a whole nuther language just between those in North Louisiana and those in South Louisiana but we do share many of the same sayings.
I guess I’ll start with a technical term or three we use in the electric utility business (not just Southern terms)…
“Old Man Stick.†The actual name of the tool is a Telescoping Disconnect Tool. We called it an “Old Man Stick†due to the use of the tool to perform work on the lines such as opening and closed line disconnect switches, mounting transformer fuse barrels and the such from the ground. When the tools were first introduced the linemen started referring to them as “Old Man Sticks†since they could be used from the ground and the older linemen didn’t have to climb the pole or structure to perform the work.
“Shotgun.†The actual name of the tool is a Live Line Extension Tool. We called it a “Shotgun†due to the operating mechanism functioning like the slide action on a pump shotgun. To add to the name of “Shotgun†it wasn’t uncommon for the use of the tool to cause a bang on an energized line when contact was made or broken.
“Ape House.†The lunch room or crew briefing room for the line crews was called this due to the nature of the business; they looked like apes working on the poles or structures.
Now to some of my sayings…
“We need to come to the lick log.†This is to refer to the need to get together and have a discussion. When a farmer or rancher puts out a lick log for his cattle, they start heading for the location. The family leader/elder or the boss calls his/her family or employees to attend a meeting/discussion and they start arriving much like the cattle headed for the lick log. Used in speech… We need to come to the lick log over our family finances.
“Hotter than a $2.00 pistol.†Usually refers to a stolen item that is offered to you at an unbelievably low price. Everyone knows you can’t buy a pistol for $2.00 so it must be stolen. Used in speech… Man that TV Bubba was trying to sell me was hotter than a $2.00 pistol.
“Make a rabbit hug a hound.†Delicious. The meal or item tasted so good that a rabbit instead of running from the hound would turn around and hug the hound after getting a bite of it. Used in speech… That blackberry cobbler Momma cooked was so good it’d make a rabbit hug a hound.
“Worthless as tits on a boar.†Of absolutely no value. Used in speech… That boy of Billy Joe’s is as worthless as tits on an old boar.
“Out of pocket.†A person is not available and can’t be reached. (Previously discussed here on TT) Used in speech…I was out of pocket and didn’t see the posting on TriumphTalk.
“Finer than frog hair.†Well you’ve all seen frogs and know how much hair they have. Well I’m assuming you’ve all seen frogs and know that if a frog has hair it must be pretty fine. So something that is “finer than frog hair†must be pretty smooth or great. Used in speech… Man I feel finer than frog hair.
“Bless his/her heart.†Dumb A$$. The sweet little old lady that never said a curse word in her life and would never think of using one will use this to call someone a Dumb A$$. Used in speech…Maybelline, did you hear about the Johnson boy? He’s starting a hog farm and bought two boars for his initial breeding stock, Bless his heart.
“Colder than an Old Maid’s bed in March.†This one is probably pretty self explanatory but just incase it’s not. As spring gets into full gear and love is in the air, there ain’t nothing happening in the Old Maid’s bed. I’ve mostly heard this referring to some one that has died but I could see it used in several other circumstances. Used in speech… By time the doc got over to Jim Bob’s place, he was already colder than an Old Maid’s bed.
“Cut off my legs and call me Shorty.†That’s amazing or I never thought of that. Used in speech… Dang Gromit, you mean I could’ve fixed that with a shot of WD-40? Well cut off my legs and call me Shorty!
“Fiddle farting around.†Wasting time or just not accomplishing anything. Used in speech… Johnny, quit fiddle farting around and take that Sears & Roebuck Catalog out to the outhouse, your grandpaw’s a waiting.
“They ate supper before they said Grace.†Couple had sex before marriage. I’ve heard this used more when the first child is born less than 9 months after the wedding but it is also used a lot by the “Bless his heart†crowd that just can’t bring themselves to say the dirty “sex†word. Used in speech… Mary Beth, have you seen Billy Joe and Bobby Sue’s baby boy? It seem’s just like a couple months since they got hitched, I bet they ate supper before they said Grace!
“Do go on.†You must be joking, lying or that’s unbelievable. Used in speech… Do go on Cletus, I want to hear more about those fish y’all caught.
“I’m a gonna tan your hide.†Warning. You a fixin’ to get a whoopin’. Used in speech… Boy, if I have to tell you one more time to behave, I’m a gonna tan your hide.
“Act like you got some raisin’.†Mind your manners don’t be so crude. Used in speech… Son you better act like you got some raisin’ or I’m a gonna tan your hide.
“Why buy the cow when you’re gettin’ the milk for free?†Getting something for nothing, especially used in sexual relations. Used in speech…
Missy: Geri, do you think Clem and Dora Jean will be gettin’ married soon?
Geri: Now Missy, why would’e buy the cow when he’s getting’ the milk for free?
“Makin’ more racket than a mule in a tin barn.†A lot of noise. Mules are known for making a bunch of noise and if you have one in a tin sided barn they can be real loud. Used in speech… Them kids are makin’ more noise than a mule in a tin barn.
I guess I’ll start with a technical term or three we use in the electric utility business (not just Southern terms)…
“Old Man Stick.†The actual name of the tool is a Telescoping Disconnect Tool. We called it an “Old Man Stick†due to the use of the tool to perform work on the lines such as opening and closed line disconnect switches, mounting transformer fuse barrels and the such from the ground. When the tools were first introduced the linemen started referring to them as “Old Man Sticks†since they could be used from the ground and the older linemen didn’t have to climb the pole or structure to perform the work.
“Shotgun.†The actual name of the tool is a Live Line Extension Tool. We called it a “Shotgun†due to the operating mechanism functioning like the slide action on a pump shotgun. To add to the name of “Shotgun†it wasn’t uncommon for the use of the tool to cause a bang on an energized line when contact was made or broken.
“Ape House.†The lunch room or crew briefing room for the line crews was called this due to the nature of the business; they looked like apes working on the poles or structures.
Now to some of my sayings…
“We need to come to the lick log.†This is to refer to the need to get together and have a discussion. When a farmer or rancher puts out a lick log for his cattle, they start heading for the location. The family leader/elder or the boss calls his/her family or employees to attend a meeting/discussion and they start arriving much like the cattle headed for the lick log. Used in speech… We need to come to the lick log over our family finances.
“Hotter than a $2.00 pistol.†Usually refers to a stolen item that is offered to you at an unbelievably low price. Everyone knows you can’t buy a pistol for $2.00 so it must be stolen. Used in speech… Man that TV Bubba was trying to sell me was hotter than a $2.00 pistol.
“Make a rabbit hug a hound.†Delicious. The meal or item tasted so good that a rabbit instead of running from the hound would turn around and hug the hound after getting a bite of it. Used in speech… That blackberry cobbler Momma cooked was so good it’d make a rabbit hug a hound.
“Worthless as tits on a boar.†Of absolutely no value. Used in speech… That boy of Billy Joe’s is as worthless as tits on an old boar.
“Out of pocket.†A person is not available and can’t be reached. (Previously discussed here on TT) Used in speech…I was out of pocket and didn’t see the posting on TriumphTalk.
“Finer than frog hair.†Well you’ve all seen frogs and know how much hair they have. Well I’m assuming you’ve all seen frogs and know that if a frog has hair it must be pretty fine. So something that is “finer than frog hair†must be pretty smooth or great. Used in speech… Man I feel finer than frog hair.
“Bless his/her heart.†Dumb A$$. The sweet little old lady that never said a curse word in her life and would never think of using one will use this to call someone a Dumb A$$. Used in speech…Maybelline, did you hear about the Johnson boy? He’s starting a hog farm and bought two boars for his initial breeding stock, Bless his heart.
“Colder than an Old Maid’s bed in March.†This one is probably pretty self explanatory but just incase it’s not. As spring gets into full gear and love is in the air, there ain’t nothing happening in the Old Maid’s bed. I’ve mostly heard this referring to some one that has died but I could see it used in several other circumstances. Used in speech… By time the doc got over to Jim Bob’s place, he was already colder than an Old Maid’s bed.
“Cut off my legs and call me Shorty.†That’s amazing or I never thought of that. Used in speech… Dang Gromit, you mean I could’ve fixed that with a shot of WD-40? Well cut off my legs and call me Shorty!
“Fiddle farting around.†Wasting time or just not accomplishing anything. Used in speech… Johnny, quit fiddle farting around and take that Sears & Roebuck Catalog out to the outhouse, your grandpaw’s a waiting.
“They ate supper before they said Grace.†Couple had sex before marriage. I’ve heard this used more when the first child is born less than 9 months after the wedding but it is also used a lot by the “Bless his heart†crowd that just can’t bring themselves to say the dirty “sex†word. Used in speech… Mary Beth, have you seen Billy Joe and Bobby Sue’s baby boy? It seem’s just like a couple months since they got hitched, I bet they ate supper before they said Grace!
“Do go on.†You must be joking, lying or that’s unbelievable. Used in speech… Do go on Cletus, I want to hear more about those fish y’all caught.
“I’m a gonna tan your hide.†Warning. You a fixin’ to get a whoopin’. Used in speech… Boy, if I have to tell you one more time to behave, I’m a gonna tan your hide.
“Act like you got some raisin’.†Mind your manners don’t be so crude. Used in speech… Son you better act like you got some raisin’ or I’m a gonna tan your hide.
“Why buy the cow when you’re gettin’ the milk for free?†Getting something for nothing, especially used in sexual relations. Used in speech…
Missy: Geri, do you think Clem and Dora Jean will be gettin’ married soon?
Geri: Now Missy, why would’e buy the cow when he’s getting’ the milk for free?
“Makin’ more racket than a mule in a tin barn.†A lot of noise. Mules are known for making a bunch of noise and if you have one in a tin sided barn they can be real loud. Used in speech… Them kids are makin’ more noise than a mule in a tin barn.
Very cool
MAO, that was great 
fire and save the matches!" long version of "damn!" 
