Slangs of a region are always fun to explore, and South Carolina has plenty of them. South Carolina slang words and phrases have a unique charm and are a great way to add South Carolina flavor to your conversations.
Here are some South Carolina slang words and phrases you should know.
South Carolina Slang Words And Phrases
South Carolina is home to a rich and vibrant culture full of unique slang words and phrases.
From the coastal city of Charleston to the upstate, South Carolinians have developed their way of speaking, often called “Gullah” or “Geechee.”
It is a mix of English and African languages. Common South Carolina slang phrases include “bless your heart,” an expression of sympathy, and “y’all,” a term used when addressing more than one person.
South Carolina is also home to some funny words like “chitlin,” which refers to the intestines of a pig, and “haint,” which means ghost or spirit.
South Carolinians also have a fondness for using words like “fixin‘” and “reckon,” which are shortened versions of the words “fixing to” and “reckoning.”
Finally, South Carolina has its dialect – one that’s full of color, character, and life!
So if you ever find yourself in South Carolina, take time to learn the lingo – you’ll be glad you did!
22 Famous South Carolina Slang Words And Phrases
South Carolina slang has its roots in the South’s rich history, culture, and lifestyle.
From the plantation-style South all the way to the coastal South, South Carolina has a lot of influence when it comes to language.
Many South Carolinians draw on their unique culture and experiences to create words and phrases that are uniquely theirs.
However, when it comes to South Carolina slang words, there are a few that stand out. Let us look at some of those:
1. Over Yonder:
South Carolinians use the phrase “over yonder” to describe something generally located in the vicinity but not necessarily nearby.
South Carolinians often use this phrase when giving directions or referring to a location that isn’t easily accessible.
For example, someone trying to find a particular place might say, “it’s over yonder.”
This phrase originated in South Carolina and is used by South Carolinians all over the state.
2. Pickney:
In South Carolina, a “pickney” can refer to a child or an adult who is particularly small in stature.
It is derived from the Scottish word for child, pikne, and has been commonly used by South Carolinians for many years.
South Carolinians often use this endearment term when referring to someone they know and care about, often with affectionate humor.
3. Fetch:
In South Carolina, “fetch” is an informal saying, “go get“.
South Carolinians often use this phrase when telling someone to go and get something for them.
South Carolinians will also use this phrase as an invitation, such as “fetch me a beer from the fridge”.
4. Ya’ll:
This is one of the most common South Carolina slang words. It refers to multiple people, typically two or more, as in “yall go ahead and have fun”.
South Carolinians also use this phrase to informally talk to someone they are close with, such as “hey ya’ll, what’s up?”.
This phrase is a mix of “you all” and is used to make the South Carolina dialect more colloquial.
5. Dontcha:
This phrase is an informal contraction of “don’t you” and often follows a statement that South Carolinians are asking another person to do something.
For example, South Carolinians may say, “dontcha wanna come over and hang out?”.
6. Teed Up:
This phrase usually refers to something ready to go, derived from golf.
South Carolinians use this phrase when talking about activities or plans being set, such as “we’re all teed up for the party tonight”.
It can also be used in the negative sense, such as “I can’t believe he teed me up for that one”.
7. Shee-It:
This South Carolina slang phrase is an expression of disbelief or shock and is often used as an alternative to the more commonly known expression “shoot“.
South Carolinians may exclaim this phrase when they are surprised by something.
For example, “Shee-it, I can’t believe it’s already 10 o’clock!” This term originated from the South Carolina Gullah language.
8. Finer Than Frog Hair:
This phrase means that something is of high quality. Usually used to describe a person or object of admiration.
For example: “That Mustang is finer than frog hair.” This phrase originated in South Carolina in the early 20th century.
9. Boo-Yah:
This South Carolina slang phrase expresses excitement or joy and is often used to emphasize a point or celebrate something.
South Carolinians may exclaim this phrase when they’re excited about something or when they’re feeling victorious.
For example, “Boo-yah! We just won the game!” This term originated from South Carolina’s Lowcountry region.
10. Mudda:
This South Carolina slang phrase expresses surprise, anxiety, or worry and is often used to express concern about something.
South Carolinians may exclaim this phrase when faced with a difficult situation or dilemma.
For example, “Mudda! What are we going to do now?” This term originated from South Carolina’s Gullah language.
11. Fixin:
This South Carolina slang word means you are preparing or getting ready to do something.
For example, South Carolinians might use this phrase when they are about to start a task, such as “I’m fixin’ to buy some groceries”.
This term is also frequently used in South Carolina’s Gullah language.
12. Fo’ Sho:
This South Carolina slang phrase expresses agreement and is often used to show agreement or confirm something.
South Carolinians may say this phrase when they agree with someone or to assure someone that something is true.
For example, “Fo’ sho! That restaurant is the best one in town.” This term originated from South Carolina’s coastal regions.
13. Quely Theirs:
“Quely theirs” is an expression that South Carolinians use when two people agree or understand each other on something, even though it can’t be easily explained.
This phrase often expresses mutual understanding or agreement between two people. For example, “He and I just quely theirs on that topic”.
14. Boondocky:
This South Carolina slang word refers to something or someone that looks rural or out of the ordinary.
For example, a South Carolinian might say, “That house sure looks boondocky.”
This term is also sometimes used to describe a person’s clothing or appearance.
The term originated from South Carolina’s rural areas, where people might refer to someone as boondocky if their dress style is a bit out of the ordinary.
15. Bushell:
This South Carolina slang word describes someone who talks too much or has many opinions about something.
For example, you might say, “That person is sure a Bushell!”
The term originated in South Carolina to describe people who talk too much and say too many unnecessary things.
16. Ace Bo:
This South Carolina slang word refers to someone with much knowledge about something.
For example, you might say, “That person is surely an ace bo about South Carolina slang words and phrases!”
The term originated in South Carolina, but it is now used in other Southern states as well.
17. Lowcountry:
This South Carolina slang word refers to the area of South Carolina, including coastal areas such as Charleston, Beaufort, and Hilton Head Island.
For example, you might say, “My parents are from the Lowcountry of South Carolina.”
This term originated in South Carolina but is now used in other Southern states as well.
18. Cooties:
This South Carolina slang word is typically used to refer to people who are a little bit crazy or someone who has done something that you don’t agree with.
For example, you might say, “That person sure has got cooties!” This term originated in South Carolina but is now used in other Southern states as well.
19. Frog Strangler:
This South Carolina slang word refers to a particularly heavy rainstorm.
For example, you might say, “It sure has been raining like a frog strangler today!”
This term originated in South Carolina but is now used in other Southern states as well.
20. Peaches:
This South Carolina slang word is used to refer to someone attractive or good-looking.
For example, you might say, “She’s such a peach!” The term originated in South Carolina but is now used in other areas of the South as well.
21. Toot Sweet:
Toot sweet is South Carolina slang for “immediately” and expresses the need for something to be done quickly or in a hurry.
For example, a South Carolinian might say, “We need to get this done toot sweet.”
This phrase can also indicate that something has been completed quickly or efficiently.
22. Grubbin’:
When South Carolinians use the word “grubbin‘”, they are referring to eating a meal, usually with friends.
It’s usually used in an informal setting and often has a fun connotation.
This South Carolina slang term is also rooted in the state’s agricultural past, as “grubbing” was used to mean searching for food in the wild or foraging for roots and herbs.
Final Thoughts:
South Carolina has its unique way of speaking, and many South Carolina slang words and phrases can be used to add personality to your conversation.
South Carolinians have a long history of using these terms, so it’s important to take the time to familiarize yourself with them if you want to sound like a local!
So, don’t be afraid to add a little South Carolina flavor to your conversation. Who knows, you may get the hang of it!
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