If A Southerner Says This To You Be Insulted
Straight Over Their Heads
Ever been down to Alabama or Texas and had locals say something to you that you thought was strange? Well, odds are it could have been an insult that went straight over your head.
Luckily we have some Southern lingo experts to translate exactly what some common southern slang actually means. Be prepared, most of them are insults.
Medicaid
Public Domain
“Maybe sister just doesn’t realize a Medicaid card and a miniskirt don’t belong on the same woman.”
Medicaid for anyone who doesn’t know is a federal health plan for people with a very low income. The assumption is that someone with a Medicaid card is quite poor and that a woman wearing a miniskirt is going places and would probably have a high income.
New Haircut
Public Domain
“Well What a cute haircut! It looks SO much better.”
This one is quite a bit more on the nose than a lot of the others but it gets the point across without directly insulting anyone. Whoever says this is implying that before the haircut your choice of hairstyle was… questionable, to say the least.
“Handsome Face”
Public Domain
“I’ll bet you’ve got such a handsome face underneath that beard.”
Here’s another straightforward insult but it’s actually very easy to miss if you aren’t paying attention. You might think it’s actually a compliment when you hear “handsome face” but whoever says this is implying that they don’t like your beard.
“Breezy”
Public Domain
“Honey, I just hope you don’t catch pneumonia in those shorts. They sure look . . . breezy.”
This creative insult has conservative roots. Normally said by an older woman who sees a young girl in questionably short pants, at least according to her. So don’t think she’s actually worried for your health, she’s more concerned about you being provocative.
“Plain”
Public Domain
“They’re just plain people, and there’s nothing wrong with that.”
Plain means “boring”, as simple as that. This insult even has a condescending tone at the end, trying to add assurance that it’s okay to be “plain”. If anyone says this to you, you should feel insulted. Don’t let it go over your head!
“Raised Better”
Public Domain
“Honey, it’s not your fault. You just didn’t know any better.”
Any time anyone starts a sentence with “honey” know that you are about to be in a world of patronization. This insult has no cover-up at all! It’s blatant, but that’s the point. This is normally said when someone does something that the other doesn’t condone but they still want to stay on their side.
“Different”
Public Domain
“That one right there has always been a little different.”
Here is an insult that’s meant to not be overheard. But if you ever do hear someone whispering it to their friend while pointing at you, know that they don’t think very highly of you. We advise that you don’t associate with that person anymore.
“Own Drummer”
Public Domain
“You march to your own drummer, don’t you sweetheart? Good for you. Good for you.”
Here’s another Southern phrase that may seem a bit confusing to anyone who isn’t familiar with the lingo. But anyone who says this is essentially saying that you don’t conform to rules and are more controversial. It can be an insult or a compliment.
Not Married?
Public Domain
“You’re not married? Nothing wrong with that, honey. You’re a career lady.”
“Career lady” can be taken as a compliment but it’s the “not married” part where it takes a turn. Typically a woman who isn’t married yet is seen as undesirable or that there is something wrong with her stopping a man from proposing.
“Far From The Tree”
Public Domain
“That apple didn’t fall far from the tree, did it, y’all?”
Here’s probably the most well-known phrase that doesn’t need too much explaining. But we’ll do it anyway. This phrase is often used when someone is being compared to one or both of their parents. Normally in a negative way.
“Not All The Way Up”
Public Domain
“His elevator doesn’t go all the way to the top floor if you know what I mean, but we just love him to death.”
This phrase can sometimes go over someone’s head unless they understand it in the first place. The idiom implies that the person they are referring to is a little on the dumber side. Don’t ever let anyone say this to you if you don’t want to sound like a fool.
“Not The Sweetest”
Pexels
“She’s not the sweetest cookie in the batch, but we wouldn’t trade her for the world.”
Not the “sweetest cookie” just implies that a person is cold or can be a little mean. We’re sure if they heard this insult and it was true they may explode. But the last part of the phrase tries to be endearing. To no avail.
Best Personality
Pexels
“He’s a little rough around the edges, but he’s got the best personality.”
This insult is more of a backhanded compliment. On one hand, they’re telling someone that they have a lot of glaring flaws. But on the other, they make up for it with their personality. But some people may make both an insult depending on if they use sarcasm or not.
“Not Done In The Middle”
Pixabay
“Her biscuit’s not done in the middle, but we can overlook that.”
This phrase can be misunderstood quite easily but it’s safe to say any way you put it it doesn’t sound positive. The insult implies that whoever it’s directed to can be a little dumb or doesn’t entirely have their things in order.
