Comments for TALKING SOUTHERN http://brownsguides.com/southspeak Seventh generation Georgian Dan Langford has an ear for the sounds of the Southern Voice and a unique ability to translate what he hears into the written word Thu, 18 Mar 2010 09:01:49 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.1 Comment on …an’em by southspeak http://brownsguides.com/southspeak/anem/#comment-4529 southspeak Mon, 15 Feb 2010 19:49:36 +0000 http://brownsguides.com/southspeak/anem/#comment-4529 Kitty, as I mentioned in my e-mail to you shortly after leaving the above question, I'm afraid I've never heard either phrase (except "jo-ree," which I've only heard used as the name for a songbird. Of course, the South's a mighty big place, and I've only lived in one section of it. As Shakespeare wrote, "There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy." That's true in many ways for me, and may well be what's behind my inability to give you a satisfactory answer. Kitty, as I mentioned in my e-mail to you shortly after leaving the above question, I’m afraid I’ve never heard either phrase (except “jo-ree,” which I’ve only heard used as the name for a songbird. Of course, the South’s a mighty big place, and I’ve only lived in one section of it. As Shakespeare wrote, “There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.” That’s true in many ways for me, and may well be what’s behind my inability to give you a satisfactory answer.

]]> Comment on A lick and a promise by southspeak http://brownsguides.com/southspeak/a-lick-and-a-promise/#comment-4527 southspeak Mon, 15 Feb 2010 19:45:58 +0000 http://brownsguides.com/southspeak/a-lick-and-a-promise/#comment-4527 Michelle, In short, I don't know. An old fellow named Vernon Woods, a distant cousin of mine from Brooks, one time was loading up a load of chicken manure for a friend, and got distracted while the tractor's bucket was rising with its malodorous load. He dumped it all over himself. Rather than cursing as most of us might, he cut off the tractor, jumped down and ran toward the hose, shedding clothes, and commented, "Durn the old purple dog!" I'm sure that's much like "shoot a monkey," but have no idea how either phrase originated except in the fertile mind of someone who didn't want to curse. I doubt that's particularly satisfying, but it's the best I can do. Michelle,

In short, I don’t know. An old fellow named Vernon Woods, a distant cousin of mine from Brooks, one time was loading up a load of chicken manure for a friend, and got distracted while the tractor’s bucket was rising with its malodorous load. He dumped it all over himself. Rather than cursing as most of us might, he cut off the tractor, jumped down and ran toward the hose, shedding clothes, and commented, “Durn the old purple dog!” I’m sure that’s much like “shoot a monkey,” but have no idea how either phrase originated except in the fertile mind of someone who didn’t want to curse. I doubt that’s particularly satisfying, but it’s the best I can do.

]]> Comment on Talking Southern by southspeak http://brownsguides.com/southspeak/talking-southern-another-take-on-a-complex-subject/#comment-4526 southspeak Mon, 15 Feb 2010 19:41:20 +0000 http://brownsguides.com/southspeak/talking-southern-another-take-on-a-complex-subject/#comment-4526 Patrick, thank you for your compliment and question. Wish I knew more about how to answer the question; have heard it said that the upper-class Southern accent is closest linguistically to British dialect of any American accent, but haven't heard that from any particular authority. Most native white Southerners are of U.K. stock, which is certainly not true of much of NE, where 19th century immigrants were much more common. Southerners also tend to stay in one place for longer than other Americans, which may be a partial explanation, too. Still, I cannot for the life of me figure out how the language style of a reasonably educated native pre-TV-era Southerner differs so radically from a Boston, NY, or NJ pre-TV accent. Totally puzzling to me. Dan Langford Patrick, thank you for your compliment and question. Wish I knew more about how to answer the question; have heard it said that the upper-class Southern accent is closest linguistically to British dialect of any American accent, but haven’t heard that from any particular authority. Most native white Southerners are of U.K. stock, which is certainly not true of much of NE, where 19th century immigrants were much more common. Southerners also tend to stay in one place for longer than other Americans, which may be a partial explanation, too. Still, I cannot for the life of me figure out how the language style of a reasonably educated native pre-TV-era Southerner differs so radically from a Boston, NY, or NJ pre-TV accent. Totally puzzling to me. Dan Langford

]]> Comment on Talking Southern by Patrick Owens http://brownsguides.com/southspeak/talking-southern-another-take-on-a-complex-subject/#comment-4504 Patrick Owens Sat, 13 Feb 2010 23:25:38 +0000 http://brownsguides.com/southspeak/talking-southern-another-take-on-a-complex-subject/#comment-4504 I stumbled upon this website when I was googling another question in which I will get to an a moment. My daddy and granddaddy was from Newington, Ga so I am very familiar with a lot of these phrases or words. I thoroughly enjoyed all the entries. My question is that we basically came over on the same boat, mainly from Europe. But as people came to America the either stayed up north or moved South. I am trying to figure out where the Southern dialect came from. It is so far from that of a northener'. Can you help me on this? Thank you for your time and reading enjoyment. Pat I stumbled upon this website when I was googling another question in which I will get to an a moment. My daddy and granddaddy was from Newington, Ga so I am very familiar with a lot of these phrases or words. I thoroughly enjoyed all the entries. My question is that we basically came over on the same boat, mainly from Europe. But as people came to America the either stayed up north or moved South. I am trying to figure out where the Southern dialect came from. It is so far from that of a northener’. Can you help me on this? Thank you for your time and reading enjoyment.

Pat

]]> Comment on A lick and a promise by Michelle http://brownsguides.com/southspeak/a-lick-and-a-promise/#comment-4495 Michelle Sat, 13 Feb 2010 03:36:34 +0000 http://brownsguides.com/southspeak/a-lick-and-a-promise/#comment-4495 Hi Dan, Can you please help me with the term "shoot a monkey"? Where did it orginate? I know it's generally used in place of curse words but I've been searching for how it got started. Thank you! Hi Dan,

Can you please help me with the term “shoot a monkey”? Where did it orginate? I know it’s generally used in place of curse words but I’ve been searching for how it got started. Thank you!

]]> Comment on …an’em by Kitty http://brownsguides.com/southspeak/anem/#comment-4082 Kitty Sat, 09 Jan 2010 07:11:56 +0000 http://brownsguides.com/southspeak/anem/#comment-4082 Dan, do you know the meaning/origin of "rhet up"? or ret up? Generally meaning to straighten up a room or oneself? How about "jo-ree," which is kind of flip or party-like...???? Dan, do you know the meaning/origin of “rhet up”? or ret up? Generally meaning to straighten up a room or oneself?

How about “jo-ree,” which is kind of flip or party-like…????

]]> Comment on Light bread by Aileen http://brownsguides.com/southspeak/light-bread/#comment-10 Aileen Tue, 03 Feb 2009 18:57:51 +0000 http://brownsguides.com/southspeak/light-bread/#comment-10 I think it's termed "light" bread as opposed to darker "cornbread"? At least, that's what I've heard. I think it’s termed “light” bread as opposed to darker “cornbread”? At least, that’s what I’ve heard.

]]> Comment on A Mayberry Christmas Tree Lighting by dcp511 http://brownsguides.com/southspeak/a-mayberry-christmas-tree-lighting/#comment-5 dcp511 Wed, 24 Dec 2008 18:42:10 +0000 http://brownsguides.com/southspeak/a-mayberry-christmas-tree-lighting/#comment-5 Really good read, nice to read a good blog at last! Really good read, nice to read a good blog at last!

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