Here are 24 Slang Terms You’ll Only Understand if you’re from Alabama

Alabama has its own unique flair when it comes to language, with slang terms that add a touch of Southern charm. Here are 24 funny slang terms you’ll likely hear if you’re from Alabama:

Bless Your Heart

A classic Southern expression that can be both sympathetic and subtly condescending, depending on the context.

Throw a Hissy Fit

Alabamians don’t get “upset” … they “throw a hissy fit.”

Yonder

A directional term indicating a distance or direction, often used instead of “over there.” “It’s just down yonder.”

Raised in a Barn

Alabamians don’t tell you that you’re “rude” … they’ll say you were “raised in a barn.”

Cattywampus

Askew or awry, describing something that is not in its proper place. “The picture frame is all cattywampus.”

Is your Daddy a Widow Maker?

Alabamians don’t ask you to move from in front of the television … they ask “is your daddy a window maker?”

It’s old as dirt

Alabamians don’t say “this item is vintage” … they say “it’s old as dirt.”

Too Big for your Britches

Alabamians wouldn’t call you “pretentious” … they’ll say you’re “too big for your britches.”

Ugly as Sin

Alabamians don’t tell you that you’re “unattractive” … they say you’re “ugly as sin.”

Fixin’ to

Getting ready to do something. “I’m fixin’ to head to the store.”

Uppity

Alabamians don’t say “snobby” … they say “uppity.”

Buggy

A shopping cart. “Grab a buggy for the groceries.”

Dixie

The Southern United States, often used to refer to the historical South or the Confederate States.

Slap yo mama good!

Alabamians don’t say “delicious” … they say “slap-yo’-mama good.”

Hushpuppies

Fried cornmeal balls, a delicious Southern side dish often served with seafood.

Bless Your Pea-Pickin’ Heart

An endearing term, sometimes used to express affection or understanding.

Mash

To press or push, often used in the context of pressing a button. “Mash the elevator button.”

Dadgumit

An expression of frustration or mild annoyance. “Dadgumit, I forgot my keys.”

Cut off the oven

Alabamians don’t say “turn off the oven” … they say “cut off the oven.”

Sweatin’ like a sinner in church

Describing someone who is sweating excessively, especially in hot and humid weather.

Cornpone

A simple and unsophisticated person. “He’s just a cornpone from the country.”

Whistlin’ Dixie

Talking excessively or telling tall tales. “He’s just whistlin’ Dixie if he claims that fish was this big.”

Wish in one hand, spit in the other

A colorful way of saying that wishing for something doesn’t make it happen.

Over yonder

Similar to “yonder,” indicating a location in the distance. “The store is over yonder.”