North Carolina slang words and phrases are often used to describe many aspects of life in North Carolina – from the food to the people.
North Carolinians have their unique lingo that might be confusing to outsiders.
Here are some North Carolina slang words and phrases you should know:
North Carolina Slang Words And Phrases
The dialect of North Carolina reflects the rich tapestry of its history.
It is woven from the languages and cultures of its early settlers from England, Scotland, Ireland, and Germany.
These influences have merged over time with African American Vernacular English.
They have created a distinct speech pattern that resonates throughout the state.
Locals embrace a repertoire of slang that echoes the state’s heritage and culture.
For instance, you might hear someone say, “Y’all better watch out for dem tar heelers.”
This phrase suggests that North Carolinians, known as Tar Heels.
It can be quite shrewd and resourceful, so one should be mindful when dealing with them.
It is also used as a way to show North Carolinian pride.
They also help North Carolinians connect with their cultural heritage and feel proud of who they are.
Knowing North Carolina slang words and phrases can help visitors to the state blend in better with locals.
North Carolina slang words and phrases can be a lot of fun.
Knowing them can be a great way to show your North Carolina pride!
26 Popular North Carolina Slang Words And Phrases
Slang words of any region tell us a lot about the people there, and North Carolina is no exception.
North Carolina has a lot of classic slang words and phrases that help define the North Carolinian way.
However, North Carolinians use many unique expressions from North Raleigh to Charlotte and beyond.
Here are some of the most popular North Carolina slang words and phrases:
1. Y’all:
North Carolinians often use this phrase, which means “you all.”
North Carolinians love to use y’all instead of the traditional “you guys” or “you all.”
For example, “How y’all doing?”
The term has become an expression of North Carolina’s unique culture.
It originated in the South and is commonly used throughout North Carolina.
2. Fixin’:
North Carolinians use this phrase, which means “preparing,” all the time.
North Carolinians often drop the “g” at the end of words when they speak, so “fixing” becomes “fixin’.”
For example, “I’m fixin’ to go to the store.” North Carolinians have adopted this phrase as part of their local culture.
The term is often used to express that something is about to happen.
3. Pop – North Carolina Slang Words And Phrases:
North Carolinians use this term instead of soft drinks, a common phrase in other regions.
North Carolina locals commonly refer to soda as “pop” when talking with friends and family.
For example, “Do you want some pop?”
The term “pop” is another North Carolina slang phrase that locals use to give their speech a local flavor.
4. Chimney:
North Carolinians use this term instead of “stove pipe.”
North Carolina locals often refer to their stove exhaust as a chimney, which is unique compared to other regions.
For example, “I need to clean the chimney in my kitchen.”
The term “chimney” is a North Carolina slang phrase that North Carolina locals use in everyday conversations.
5. Buggy:
North Carolinians use this term instead of “shopping cart.”
North Carolina locals commonly refer to their shopping carts as buggies, which is unique compared to other regions.
For example, “I need to get a buggy before grocery shopping.”
The phrase “buggy” is a North Carolina slang word that North Carolina locals use in everyday conversations.
6. Yonder:
North Carolinians often use this term instead of “over there.”
North Carolina locals commonly refer to a place that is far away as yonder, which is unique compared to other regions.
For example, “I saw a bird fly over yonder.”
The word “yonder” is a North Carolina slang word that North Carolina locals use in everyday conversations.
7. Warsh – One Of The North Carolina Slang Words And Phrases:
North Carolinians often use this term instead of “wash.”
North Carolina locals commonly refer to washing something as warsh, which is unique compared to other regions.
For example, “I need to go warsh the dishes.”
The word “warsh” is a North Carolina slang word that North Carolina locals use in everyday conversations.
8. Chewtobacca:
This North Carolina slang term refers to chewed rather than smoked tobacco.
North Carolinians often use this phrase when referring to chewed tobacco, a regional term used in North Carolina.
For example, “I got some chewtobacca for the party.”
The word “chewtobacca” is a North Carolina slang word that North Carolina locals use in everyday conversations.
9. Tar Heel:
This North Carolina slang term refers to North Carolina natives and North Carolina’s beloved Tar Heel sports teams.
North Carolinians often use this phrase when referring to North Carolinians, North Carolina Pride, and North Carolina sports teams.
For example, “The Tar Heels are gonna win tonight!”
10. Bless Your Heart:
This North Carolina slang term expresses sympathy for something someone said or did.
This phrase can be used negatively or constructively, depending on the context and the tone of voice.
North Carolinians often use this phrase to sympathize with someone without directly criticizing them.
11. Lit – Among The North Carolina Slang Words And Phrases:
If something is “lit,” it means it is awesome, fun, or exciting.
For example, “The party was lit!” North Carolinians often use this phrase to describe a great time or experience.
It originated in North Carolina but is now used all over the country.
12. Pop Top:
North Carolinians use “pop top” to refer to a soda can.
North Carolinians often drink pop tops, especially at gatherings and parties.
For example, North Carolina natives may say, “Hey, pass me a pop top!” when they want someone to give them a can of soda.
This North Carolina slang term is also used in other states across the U.S.
13. Youse:
North Carolinians also use “youse” to refer to multiple people in one phrase.
For example, North Carolina natives may say, “Youse guys wanna grab a bite to eat?”
North Carolinians may also use “youse” when referring to an individual, such as “Hey youse, how ya doin’?”
North Carolinians also use terms like y’all and yous.
14. Holler:
North Carolinians use the term “holler” to refer to a neighborhood or region.
North Carolina natives may say something like, “I’m from the Old North State holler,” meaning they’re from North Carolina.
North Carolinians also use terms like hood and neck of the woods.
15. Cattywampus – Another One Among The North Carolina Slang Words And Phrases:
In North Carolina, the term “cattywampus” means something that’s not in a straight line or off-kilter. North Carolinians may say, “That shelf isn’t level; it’s all cattywampus.”
North Carolina natives also use terms like crooked and askew.
This term is believed to have originated in North Carolina.
16. Chimoleon:
This North Carolina slang word means a loudmouth or someone who talks a lot.
For example, you could say, “That guy is such a chimoleon; he never stops talking!”
The term is derived from North Carolina’s state bird, the Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis).
17. Mountain Dew:
In North Carolina, Mountain Dew refers to moonshine or homemade alcohol.
North Carolinians may say, “Let’s get some Mountain Dew and have a good time!”
The term is derived from North Carolina’s moonshine-making history.
It is used throughout the state and is one of North Carolina’s most well-known slang terms.
18. Flatlander:
This North Carolina slang term refers to an outsider or someone who isn’t from North Carolina.
For example, North Carolinians may say, “That flatlander doesn’t understand North Carolina culture.”
The term is derived from the state’s mountainous geography.
It is used to designate anyone who does not understand North Carolina culture because they are not from the area.
19. Mash:
In North Carolina, this term means to hit or punch someone.
For example, North Carolinians may say, “If you don’t stop talking, I’m gonna mash you!“
The origin of this phrase is unknown, but it has been used in North Carolina for many generations.
It is used as a warning or threat to someone.
20. Dobbin – North Carolina Slang Words And Phrases:
In North Carolina, this term refers to an old, beat-up car or truck.
North Carolinians may say, “My dobbin has seen better days!”
The term’s origin is unknown, but used throughout North Carolina and other southern states.
21. Chimley:
In North Carolina, this term refers to a chimney. North Carolinians may say something like, “I need to clean out the chimley!“
The origin of this term is also unknown and used throughout North Carolina and some other southern states.
22. Skee-dee-doo:
In North Carolina, this term means to leave or depart quickly.
North Carolinians may say something like, “We gotta skee-dee-doo out of here!”
The phrase is derived from the sound of a speeding car and is used throughout North Carolina and some other southern states.
23. Heck:
North Carolinians often use the word “heck” as a cute way to say hell.
North Carolinians may say, “What in the heck is going on?”
It’s considered a polite and socially acceptable alternative to cursing. The term is used often in North Carolina.
24. Skiff:
Skiff is a North Carolina term for a lightweight boat that is easy to maneuver.
North Carolinians may say, “We took the skiff out for a spin.”
This term comes from the traditional boat types favored by North Carolinians, which have been used since colonial times.
25. Fetch – North Carolina Slang Words And Phrases:
North Carolinians often use the word “fetch” to refer to running an errand or doing a task.
For example, North Carolinians may say, “I’m gonna go fetch some groceries.”
This is often used in a casual conversation and for any task.
26. Cape Fear:
This North Carolina phrase comes from the Cape Fear River near Wilmington, North Carolina.
North Carolinians use this phrase to refer to a situation that has caused fear or anxiety.
For example, they say, “That new job has me feeling the cape fear.”
This phrase can also be used for any situation that makes someone nervous.
Final Thoughts:
North Carolinian slang is full of unique words and phrases.
They reflect the different cultures and communities throughout the state.
These influences have shaped North Carolina slang, creating a distinct way of speaking for North Carolinians.
North Carolina slang words and phrases are ever-evolving.
So, it’s worth learning the current North Carolina slang words to stay up-to-date with colloquialisms and local lingo.
Whether you’ve lived in North Carolina or are just visiting, learning North Carolina slang can help you better understand and appreciate the local culture.
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