The Craziest Things I Never Said
Near the close of my husband’s military career, we spent our last eight years in Louisiana. It was a word lover’s paradise as Southernspeak’s charm pulled me under its spell.
My latest lens, The Craziest Things I Never Said is a celebration of the unique colloquialism of the Deep South. After eight years there, we felt rooted and very much a part of the region. I have to admit, though, that it took me awhile to understand exactly what some of our newfound friends were saying. In turn, they kept asking us to slow down, that we talked much too fast.
This lens was especially fun for me, because my dad grew up a Southern boy, and my family took trips back to his hometown every other summer. I loved sitting on the porch swing, listening to them banter back and forth. Most of my life was spent in farm country of northern California, so my Southern vacation times were a rich opportunity to experience my dad’s roots and learn to appreciate regions of the country that I might not have otherwise gotten to visit.
I’ve met a few people in my life who said they never ventured any farther than 100 miles from home. I feel sorry for all they’ve missed.
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Tags: colloqualism, humor, language, life, southern slang
November 30th, 2008 at 10:31 pm
Aw. Now, that’s danged interesting! I’m gonna mosey myself on over there and check that out.
November 30th, 2008 at 11:03 pm
Mimi, you’re too funny!
I wasn’t going to make this lens at first because I didn’t want any Southerners thinking I was poking fun. Since my roots really started in the South, that earns me the right…right?
December 1st, 2008 at 9:16 am
I lived in the south for 7 years, and the funny thing is how you pick up the dialect and collogualisms and can’t shake it. What’s really great is that if you “make fun” of them by mocking…you still pick it up!!
December 1st, 2008 at 10:41 am
mulberry, YES. You’re right! My relatives all told me I had developed a “twang”. What’s funny, too, is that when I was a kid, I used to pick up a Southern accent just from two weeks with my dad’s family. It’s interesting how easily we can fall into regional accents.
December 1st, 2008 at 2:45 pm
Great lens, brought back memories of when hubby and I lived in Mississippi during our Navy days.
December 1st, 2008 at 3:27 pm
Good lens!