Carson's Dix-onary

Hi everyone!

I was out to dinner with a friend recently, and we were talking when the waiter dropped waters at our table. I was saying something along the lines of "I was fixin' to text her," but when the waiter heard me use that phrase, he rolled his eyes. I know "fixin' to" isn't perfectly polished English, but it still kind of bothered me. He doesn't even know me, why should he judge me based on using a phrase I heard daily in my house? I suppose he just doesn't understand the language of the South, although it's not all that difficult to grasp. So, for all y'all who don't know what I meant when I say I was "fixin'" to do something, here's my Dix-onary, a collection of classically Southern words and phrases.

1. Fixin' to: what you say when you are getting ready to do something
    Example: I'm fixin' to go for a run, but I need to change first.
2. Y'all: the quintessential Southern word, it's generally refers to a group of people, though some Southerners use it to refer to a single person
    Note: It is not a good idea to say "you guys" in the South...don't do it, it upsets us Southern girls to be called a "guy."
    Example: Y'all look so pretty for the dance tonight, and y'all's dates look nice too!
3. Bless her heart: what Southern women say when they insult someone, but want to appear as if they take pity on them
     Example: Poor Janie just can't control that wild hair, bless her heart.
4. Used-a could: what you say when you were once able to do something, but can't anymore
    Example: I used-a could play piano, but I forgot how.
5. Over yonder: where something is located if it's not right in front of you
    Example: The movie theater is just over yonder up the hill.
6. Hush your mouth: the Southern way of saying "shut up"
    Example: Reeves, hush your mouth, Mama is fixin' to tell us something.
7. Reckon: when you believe you will do something
    Example: I reckon I will read Gone with the Wind before the end of Summer.
8. Cussin': when someone is so angry they are using less-than-appropriate language
    Example: Daddy was so mad he was cussin' when the delivery man showed up late.

I'm pretty much over the thing with the waiter, but I'm definitely going to continue to use my Southern language. Just like learning any other language when you're a child, these words and phrases are so ingrained, it's hard to use anything else!

Have a lovely day!
XO,
Carson