It’s been an unseasonably warm fall in Alabama. Here we are in late November, and the mercury has still been rising to nearly 80 every day, but we’re about to get a little relief. It’s about to be hog killing weather. Hog killing weather? Is that a good thing, you might wonder. Well, if you’re … Continue reading It’s hog killing weather
Year: 2016
Pretty is as pretty does
In the south, we place a premium on “being sweet.” And it can be a real struggle as I’ve written about before. So since we all aren't born angelic like Gone With the Wind’s über-virtuous Melanie Wilkes, here are a few idioms about the art of being sweet, or not. Pretty is as pretty does. … Continue reading Pretty is as pretty does
When the cat’s away…
So there I was, sitting on a bench in Central Park at dusk with Sonny. We were enjoying the sunset and talking about our day in the Big Apple, when, out of the corner of my eye, I saw movement. Surely it's a little birdie kicking around in the leaves looking for a worm, I … Continue reading When the cat’s away…
The odds and ends
I’m halfway there. Halfway to 30 posts in 30 days. Halfway through #bloglikecrazy. We’ve looked at umpteen idioms over the past couple of weeks, and I hope you’ve learned a few new ones, remembered some old ones, and had a few laughs along the way. I too have learned some new ones from your comments, … Continue reading The odds and ends
You’ve got to dance with who brung you
Southerners love to cut a rug — that means to “dance” so much you wear holes in the rug. From buck dancing to the Virginia reel, square dancing to waltzing, if there’s music playing, toes will be tapping. So let’s take a look at idioms inspired by dance. He who pays the piper calls the … Continue reading You’ve got to dance with who brung you
Dead as a doornail
“Don't look forward to the day you stop suffering, because when it comes you'll know you're dead.” That quote is from Tennessee Williams, the famous Mississippi-born playwright. How else will you know you’re dead? You’ll hear people using these idioms about you: He was dead as a doornail. Doornails are long enough to connect the … Continue reading Dead as a doornail
Stand on a nickel…
He wore a white oxford shirt, frayed at the collar and cuffs. Long, bony wrists protruded from his sleeves. His hair was always a little shaggy, what there was left of it. His tie was stained with the remnants of sandwiches past, threadbare, wrinkled. Khaki pants, just a little too short. If he’d’ve kicked off … Continue reading Stand on a nickel…
Speak the truth and shame the devil
Southerners “believe more in the reality of Satan than in the reality of God.”* These words were written by Episcopal bishop of Arkansas Robert R. Brown. Having spent more than one Sunday on a hard pew listening to a red-faced, sweating preacher warning of hellfire and brimstone from the pulpit, I tend to agree. So … Continue reading Speak the truth and shame the devil
We just stepped on their face with a hobnailed boot!
If football is the religion of the South, then it’s only natural that we get a few proverbs from its playbook. Since it’s Saturday, here are some football terms that have entered our everyday lingo. Let’s go to church. Back up and punt. When the offensive team has failed to make a first down and … Continue reading We just stepped on their face with a hobnailed boot!
Trying to turn mutton into lamb
Today’s idiom involves etiquette which, in the south, is gospel. Our commandments not only include the big ten, but a litany of others ranging from using the right fork to sending thank you notes. There are certain things you do … and certain things you just don’t do. Ever. No matter if the rule of … Continue reading Trying to turn mutton into lamb