Every region of the country has its own dialect, its own quirky way of speaking. Tennessee, of course, is no different. We decided to speak with a couple of locals (I promise – no transplant speak here!), and their resounding response is echoed below – this is Tennessee, folks. Straight from the mouths of true southern souls, we’ve found 11 phrases or words that sound downright strange if you’re anywhere else in the country. But if you’re in the Volunteer State? You fit right in!
- Suga'
Doug Waldron - Flickr Nope, it’s not a baking ingredient! Suga’ refers to a person, usually someone that’s well loved or much younger than the speaker.
- Moonshine
Pardue Library - Flickr Ah, yes - moonshine. A fun term now, it once referred to the illegal alcohol locals made during temperance.
- Bless Her Heart
Alex Labodov - Flickr Usually prefaces an insult, making it okay. Or does it…?
- Hose Pipe
Ellie Margolies - Flickr That’s a garden hose, folks!
- Sweet Tea
Heartlover177 - Flickr Sweet tea can be referred to simply as iced tea, as well. It’s the only kind of tea there is in the south!
- Crick
Matt Malone - Flickr A creek! Fairly self-explanatory, but still fun and oh so different.
- Buckle on the Bible Belt
Dwight Stone - Flickr A reference to Nashville’s geographic location, smack dab in the middle of the southern Bible Belt.
- Winder
ser ge - Flickr The window!
- Fixin'
Tim Lumley - Flickr You can use “fixin’” as a replacement for, “going to,” or “will do.”
- God’s Country
Wang Jiacheng - Flickr This would be our homeland: Tennessee. There’s nothing prettier, there’s nowhere better.
- Skullbone
Brent Hampton - Flickr The tiny town of Skullbone may make folks think Tennesseans are being a bit dark, but no worries - we’re just talking about a sweet little town.
PS: If you happen to be in Middle Tennessee this September, you won’t want to miss the Nashville Taco Festival!
Doug Waldron - Flickr
Nope, it’s not a baking ingredient! Suga’ refers to a person, usually someone that’s well loved or much younger than the speaker.
Pardue Library - Flickr
Ah, yes - moonshine. A fun term now, it once referred to the illegal alcohol locals made during temperance.
Alex Labodov - Flickr
Usually prefaces an insult, making it okay. Or does it…?
Ellie Margolies - Flickr
That’s a garden hose, folks!
Heartlover177 - Flickr
Sweet tea can be referred to simply as iced tea, as well. It’s the only kind of tea there is in the south!
Matt Malone - Flickr
A creek! Fairly self-explanatory, but still fun and oh so different.
Dwight Stone - Flickr
A reference to Nashville’s geographic location, smack dab in the middle of the southern Bible Belt.
ser ge - Flickr
The window!
Tim Lumley - Flickr
You can use “fixin’” as a replacement for, “going to,” or “will do.”
Wang Jiacheng - Flickr
This would be our homeland: Tennessee. There’s nothing prettier, there’s nowhere better.
Brent Hampton - Flickr
The tiny town of Skullbone may make folks think Tennesseans are being a bit dark, but no worries - we’re just talking about a sweet little town.
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