Translate These Common Southern Phrases and We'll Guess Which Southern City You'll Visit Next

By: Teresa McGlothlin

5 Min Quiz

Image: Lisa-Blue/E+/Getty Images

About This Quiz

When you are told that something is located over yonder, do you know where to find it? The southern U.S. is known for its charm, its history and its colorful phrases. After you translate a slew of phrases you might hear in any southern town, we'll tell you which of the south's cities you'll visit the next time you head down yonder.

If you know what it means when a southerner says "that dog won't hunt," you have probably already visited a few places in the south. If you have no idea what "jerking a knot in someone's tail" means, this might be your first trip. No matter which one, you are destined to have a great time translating these phrases and traveling to some real gems of the south. Will you know as many of them as you think you do?

We've buttered our butts and called ourselves biscuits while finding phrases for you to translate. We do hope that you'll pick up on the unique southern way of putting things and adopt a few of the phrases into your everyday speech. You'll need to know a few of them when you're walking the streets of the town you're going to see! Which one will it be?

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If someone were"madder than a cat getting baptized," how angry would they be?

I think it means that someone's insane.

They would be mad enough to screech.
I think it means as angry as a wet cat.

It's another way of saying "bless your heart."

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In your opinion, what does "that possum's on a stump" mean?

It means someone is sitting pretty.

That person is up a creek without a paddle.
The possum fell out of its tree.

Things are as close to perfect as they are going to get.

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If you're "off like a herd of turtles," what are you doing?

Stuck in your shell

Moving slowly
Walking in single file

Running for the salad bar

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"This ain't my first rodeo" means which of the following?

Don't treat me like I"m stupid.

I know a lot about horses.
I've done this before.

Nothing surprises me these days.

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If you are skedaddling in the south, what are you doing?

Taking your time

Procrastinating
Running away

Fishing

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What do you think "finer than a frog's hair" means?

It means something is hard to see.

It's slang for someone who is hot.
It references expensive things.

It's talking about something that's rare.

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"God don't like ugly" means what to the rest of the world?

Ugly people won't get into heaven.

Ugly hearts are not attractive.
You should always try to be pretty.

God doesn't make mistakes.

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Does "madder than a wet hen" mean angry or insane?

If you're British, it means insane.

I can mean either thing.
I think it refers to anger.

I don't think it means angry or insane.

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"Act like you've been to town before" is a southern way of saying ____________.

Look sharp and act presentable.

Don't be so stupid.
Show me around the place.

Use your manners!

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Do you know what "I love you a bushel and a peck means"?

I love you more than anything.

I like you a lot!
Our love is immeasurable.

I have a little love for you.

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Which emotion is intended with the phrase "that just dilled my pickle"?

Anger

Happiness
Fear

Sadness

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What do southerners mean when they say "me and you are gonna mix"?

We are going to go out on a date.

I think we should be friends.
We are now sworn enemies.

We'll share our favorite cake recipe.

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Can you pick out the right meaning of "that dog won't hunt"?

It means someone is lazy.

I think it means that a theory is not going anywhere.
It means that a dog is lazy.

Southerners are saying that there's no point.

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What does "his family tree doesn't have many branches" really mean?

He comes from a close-knit family.

It means he's not that smart.
He doesn't know much about this background.

He's as thick as his papa.

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Is it a good thing or a bad thing when a southerner says you look "gussied up"?

It's a real compliment.

It's sort of an insult.
I think it's a polite way of saying you're overdressed.

It's another way of saying that you look the part.

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Which trait would someone who "could make a preacher cuss" have?

A big mouth

A sense of intelligence
An argumentative streak

A trying personality

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If it's "been a month full of Sundays," how long has it been?

Four weeks

A long time
A few days

A couple of years

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Someone who is uppity is which of these words?

Tall

Educated
Rich

Snobby

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What are you being told when you're told to "stop pottering around"?

Get to work.

Move faster.
Put down the J.K. Rowling.

Get out of the garden.

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What is meant by "fuller than a tick on a hound dog"?

It means your belly is full.

I think it means you are fulfilled in life.
It's another way of saying standing room only.

It's used to describe the body in someone's hair.

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If you're "hankering for" something, what are you doing?

Sick of it

Wondering about it
Craving it

Crying over it

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What's the meaning behind "down yonder"?

In the south

Over there
The next town over

Below the belt

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What part of your body is called a "bread basket" in the south?

Head

Buttocks
Stomach

Armpit

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What is meant by "you can't call an alligator a lizard"?

I think it means you should get your facts straight.

You should know the right names of things.
It means that you can't make something into something else.

There's no reason to tell a lie.

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If someone "gets your goose," what are they doing to you?

They are ruffling my feathers.

I think they would be making my dinner.
It means they are angering me.

They are understanding what I'm saying.

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What kind of weather does "it's so dry, the trees are begging for dogs" reference?

A sunny day

A blizzard
A thunderstorm

A drought

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When you're at work, are you "as busy as a moth on a mitten"?

it depends on the day of the week.

I do get pretty busy.
I'm always as busy as a moth on a mitten.

I don't know exactly how busy that is.

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If someone told you that you "have a burr in your saddle," how would you feel about it?

I would adjust my attitude.

I would say they have a bee in their bonnet.
I'm sure it would annoy me.

I would thank them for giving me a heads up.

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Can you pick out the correct meaning of "What in the Sam Hill?"

What in the world?

It's a local trait. You wouldn't understand.
I have no idea what that means.

Sam Hill would not approve of your ways.

Oscar Sánchez Photography/Moment/Getty Images

What does it mean when someone has a "duck fit"?

It means they are waddling from an injury.

It means their jeans fit well.
It's another way of saying hissy fit.

It's a type of hat they wear in the south.

5 Minute Quiz 5 Min

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