We asked non-Southerners if they could decode classic Southern sayings
‘Tan your hide? Is that when you add sauce to your food?’
Southern slang is something that has been spoken in the southern United States for centuries. Some of the sayings are so downright wacky that they often make your head shake – even if you’re a Southerner.
So I set out to find if non-Southerners had what it takes to decode our classic phrases. Each participant was given a popular Southern saying in a neutral tone of voice – as to not give any hints to its meaning – and were given three guesses.
If the participant figured out what the saying meant on the first guess, they were awarded the ultimate prize of being an “honorary Southerner.” If the participant figured out what the saying meant by the second or third guess, they were awarded “part Southerner.” But, sadly, if they couldn’t guess the meaning of the saying after three guesses, they were to remain non-Southerners.
Let’s see how they faired.
Round 1: Bessie from Vancouver, Canada
“Tan your hide” (means: beat you up)
Guess one – “Oh! Isn’t that what you say when you dye your hair or something?”
Guess two – “Is it when you add sauce to your food? Like ketchup?”
Guess three – “Maybe it just means to calm down?”
Result – Bless your heart, you’re not a Southerner.
Round 2: Varsha from Aurora, Illinois
“Dills my pickle” (means: irritates me)
Guess one – “I feel like that means something makes you really happy.”
Guess two – “Wait, I actually think it means that something is putting a damper on your day? I think I am on the right track!”
Result – I reckon you’re a part Southerner.
Round 3: Zoey from Walnut Creek, California
“Butter my butt and call me a biscuit” (means: utter surprise)
Guess one – “Oh! I’ve heard this one before! Isn’t that when you’re shocked?”
Result – Well, butter my butt! A true Southerner!
Round 4: Brenna from Northern Utah
“Catawampus” (means: misaligned)
Guess one – “Does it mean HUGE? Like some sort of unit of measurement?”
Guess two – “Is it like crazy? Like that girl is so catawampus?”
Guess three – “Is it someone who is a really good cowboy?”
Result – Ah shoot! You’re not a Southerner.
Round 5: Hannah from Los Angeles, California
“Piddlin'” (means: to spend time uselessly)
Guess one – “Piddle what? Come again?”
Guess two – “Isn’t that when you talk a lot?”
Guess three – “Is it when you dilly-dally?”
Result – You’re a part Southerner, sugar.
Round 6: Kendall from Palos Verdes Estates, California
“You look rode hard and put up wet” (means: you look rough)
Guess one – “*Laughter* Um, does it mean you are tired?”
Guess two – “Does it mean you are late to something?”
Guess three – “Does it mean you look ragged?”
Result – Well, I’ll be. You’re only part Southerner.