Colloquialisms

[dj1701]

My Bestie and I were talking last night about Colloquialisms. Me being born and raised in NY and her in TX make for some funny sayings and terms for things. My vocabulary has expanded quite a bit since we met.
I was wondering what all of you folks say that would be considered a Colloquialism in the region you call home.

 

[EddieWalker]

When I moved to Texas from California in 2003, I heard "ya'll" for the first time. I think it means "you" or "everyone" or it just replaces "you know"

"Bless her heart" is pretty common. I think it means that she's an idiot, but I'm not positive.

"Out of Pocket" seems to mean you're broke, or you are paying cash, but you don't have any cash. I'm not sure on that one either.

"Southern Engineering" seems to mean somebody didn't have a clue what they were doing when they built it.

So, for I've never used any of those terms, and when I meet somebody for the first time, they ask where I'm from because I don't speak like they do.

 

[Tinhack]

I grew up between Ohio and Texas and also lived in both for many years. I lost my "twang" early. My second grade teacher in Ohio thought I had a speech impediment. I still hear the northern versions of words from my cousins like "youns" and "you-ens" and they tease me about my "yall". It's really quite regional in all parts of the country. I can barely understand what my cousin from Mississippi is saying.

 

[ronjhall]

Always called soft drinks Pop here in Michigan. Other areas call it Soda or Coke.

 

[LittleBittyBigJohn]

I called one of my contacts in Canada for like the millionth time that week and said "It's me again Margret". Imagine my surprise when she became totally quiet and responded in a very confused voice um... I thought you know my name is .... Apparently ole Ray Stevens is not so popular in the land of maple syrup...

Ending a call with a contact in Florida earlier this week. "Well, let me let you get back to your rat killin'" Long pause then a big laugh, he had never heard that one either.

Edde - Out of pocket usually means I ain't where i aught to be. - Sorry i missed your call, I was out of pocket for a little bit.

 

[JJT]

When I moved to Texas from California in 2003, I heard "ya'll" for the first time. I think it means "you" or "everyone" or it just replaces "you know"

"Bless her heart" is pretty common. I think it means that she's an idiot, but I'm not positive.

"Out of Pocket" seems to mean you're broke, or you are paying cash, but you don't have any cash. I'm not sure on that one either.

"Southern Engineering" seems to mean somebody didn't have a clue what they were doing when they built it.

So, for I've never used any of those terms, and when I meet somebody for the first time, they ask where I'm from because I don't speak like they do.

"Out of Pocket" here means you're unavailable, "out of the office".

 

[fidowanttobe]

Edde - Out of pocket usually means I ain't where i aught to be. - Sorry i missed your call, I was out of pocket for a little bit.

Up here in Noda Koda, that means, "They warrantied the battery, but still cost $40 outa-pocket".
We like to end a statement with "not?" for confirmation too. Smokier outside today than yesterday, not?

 

[LittleBittyBigJohn]

Up here in Noda Koda, that means, "They warrantied the battery, but still cost $40 outa-pocket".

Yeah we have that one too. Which reminds me of "boot"

We traded motorcycles but I had to give $200 boot - Extra money on top.

 

[LittleBittyBigJohn]

I'm a fan of Biff Tannen also. I am often guilty of having to "make like a tree, and get out of here"

 

[MattB4]

...

"Southern Engineering" seems to mean somebody didn't have a clue what they were doing when they built it.

...

In use where I live it means making something work even when you lack the proper parts or tools to do it. Some of it is ingenious and some of it is like hanging a window Ac in a car because the car does not have working air conditioning.