I do declare. . .
I live in Cincy but sort of moved to the South when I started to write the Consignment Shop Mysteries. With the books set in Savannah I had to suddenly start thinking and living like my characters. I guess I’m a bit of a method writer just like there are method actors. I have to live the part I’m writing about to make it real.
The first thing I did was acquire a taste for sweet tea. Sweet tea is big. . .huge. . .in the South and with Cincinnati being north of the Ohio River the only sweet tea we get is if you add your own sugar. Another Southern essential is fried okra. I got out my Southern Living cookbook and found the recipe. I don’t think I’ll win any prizes for the dish but it’s a start.
Other way I had to adjust are that I no longer carry Chapstick in the back pocket of my jeans but now wear lipstick every-single-day-of-my-life-no-matter-what-and-no-matter-where-I’m-going. And I have poof hair. Not more straight hair. Think Betty White with her finger in a socket
I’ve turned the thermostat to 80 and my thick wool sweaters are relegated to the back of my closet and I’ve made room for light cottony cardigans. I have a front porch so I put a white rocking chair on it and as far as my speech goes my family thinks I’m crazy as a June bug.
Some of the Southern sayings I’ve tried out with limited success here in Ohio are. . .
Oh! Bless your heart. . . My kids think this is sort of adorable but actually this expression is commonly used when Southerners need an excuse for speaking ill of someone. Example- “She’s as ugly as a mud fence, bless her heart.” Even though the line was an insult it is made better by showing that you, in a way, feel sorry for the person.
And of course there’s Well butter my butt and call me a biscuit. The fam thought I’d hit the vodka when I tried this one.
She looked like she’d been ridden hard and put away wet. Actually I’ve used this one a lot all my life. That’s what I get from living so close to the Kentucky border.
He could sell a Popsicle to a lady wearing white gloves. Meaning the individual is so good at persuasion that he could talk his way into anything. The sales lady at Macy’s ran when I tried this one.
You can’t get blood from a turnip. Meaning you can’t get something from someone who doesn’t have it. My accountant got this one right off the bat.
Madder than a wet hen, He’s like a bull in a china shop and Cute as a bug’s ear. I’ve used these for years too so the fam didn’t blink an eye when I started working them into the conversation.
We were just sittin’ around chewin’ the fat. The kids told me I needed more veggies and fruit and forget the fat
Don’t count your chickens before they hatch. I used this one on my next door neighbor and she was tickled pink she’d be getting fresh eggs
She was all over him like white on rice. I used this one on my other next door neighbor and she smacked her husband upside the head.
You can’t see the forest for the trees. Is another one I’ve used tons but my new favorite is Easy as sliding off a greasy log backwards.
So, now that you’re sittin’ here chewin’ the fat with me, “What are some of you favorite sayings?” You never know when they just might pop up in the Consignment Shop Mysteries. I’ll give away two Demise in Denim lunch totes from the answers.
Thanks for playing along.
Go whole hog today and have yourself a mighty fine time.
Hugs, Duffy Brown
You can read more about the “Consignment Shop” mystery series starting with Iced Chiffon, followed by Killer in Crinolines, Pearls and Poison and the fourth book in the series Demise in Denim out this month, all published by Berkley Prime Crime.
GIVEAWAY: Leave your comment by 12 a.m. eastern on April 16 for the chance to win the Demise in Denim lunch tote. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. Winners will be notified within 48 hours after giveaway closes and you will have three days to respond after being contacted or another winner will be selected. Make sure to check your SPAM folder.
About the author
Duffy Brown is the national bestselling author of the Consignment Shop Mysteries. She loves anything with a mystery. While other girls dreamed of dating Brad Pitt, Duffy longed to take Sherlock Holmes to the prom. She has two cats, Spooky and Dr. Watson, and works at a consignment shop when she’s not busy conjuring up whodunit stories. Visit Duffy website, Twitter or Facebook for more information.
Great lunch bag. Love the books!
Love this series! Great looking lunch bag as is the cover! Thanks the giveaway chance! We’re relocating our library’s administrative offices to a new building. Definitely could use a new linchpin bag to help relieve stress of cleaning, sorting, packing our offices! 😉
Hi, Lindar. If you send me the addresses of the libraries in your area I’ll add them to my list and send them promo when a book comes out. Good luck with the move. DuffyBrown@DuffyBrown.com
I have a friend who could “sell ice to Eskimos” and every now and then I say ” damn Skippy” Great post! Thanks for the chance!
These are great, Thanks Barb.
I have used some of the ones you have listed (though there were a few new ones for me!). I have used these phrases: “Barking up the wrong tree,” “Fly off the handle,” and “Let sleeping dogs lie.”
Thank you for the chance to win the lunch tote. 🙂
myrifraf(at)gmail(dot)com
I think I’ve used all of those too. Thanks, Jen.
I would love to read this book! I love this series.
Would lve to read this title
It’s funny but all.those are just normal.to me didn’t know that everyone doesn’the say them. Bless their little pea picking hearts as Tennessee Ernie Ford use to say. Love the chance to win
Hi, Deb. They are all part of my vocab as well. Thanks for chatting
Hi, Deb. So many are normal to me too. Just ask my kids. LOL
Hugs, Duffy
Duffy Brown’s cozies are fabulous!
Thanks, Linda
I’m a Yankee by birth but I remember my family using a lot of these expressions. Maybe there was some Southern bloodlines I’m not aware of! Now that I live in the South I hear them all the time and it reminds me of home and family. Go figure! Meanwhile, this series is definitely on my book list!!
Thanks Jane for picking up Demise. I really appreciate it. I don’t know how to talk without tossing in a few of these sayings. Have a good day. Hugs, Duffy
Hi, Jane. I’m in Cincinnati and it’s amazing how many of these I use all the time. Guess the South doesn’t stop at the Ohio River. LOL
This looks like a really awesome cozie! My husband owns many old antique cars and I love the awesome car on the cover of the book with the cute dog in it! Thanks for the opportunity!!! God bless you!!!
Lucky you to be tooling around town in vintage cars. What fun!!
Thanks so much for having me at Book Musings. Always fun to stop by and chat with readers. I love the South…the food, the homes the people. I think I’m am a Southern belle at hear and have the baton, pearls and fried chicken recipe to prove it. Have lovely day now, you hear. Hugs, Duffy
Got those Southernisms down pat! Love to own this one!
Well, here in Maine we live “down the road a piece.” Of course the whoopie pies are “wicked good” and sometimes in the winter the “cussed” car won’t start. And similar to the South we call everyone “dear”, though it might sounds more like “deah.”
Love it, Mary Ann! Thanks for chatting. Maine is amazing. So beautiful.
You are so right about the Southern sayings, Duffy. When I first moved to Nashville, I asked a sales clerk if they had any summer tops let. She said, “We put ’em up.” I looked high on the shelves but didn’t see any. She explained that “put ’em up,” means “they’re gone, you crazy Yankee.” That same day I was waiting for an elevator and remarked that the elevator didn’t seem to be working. A lady next to me said, “Well, did you mash it, honey?” Mash it??? She meant, “Did you press the button?” I miss the South and especially the sweet tea!
Oh, Mary, what great stories!! These need to make it into your wonderful books. Too cute.
I’ve not read any of your books YET, but I can tell from reading this I will! Love books set in the south and my book club does too. I’ve been in the South so long now, I don’t think much about the “sayings”. They start to come naturally, but one we often use is “bless it”, with is similiar to “bless your heart”. I can’t wait to read your books!
Hi, Judy. Email me your mailing address and I’ll send you promo for Demise in Denim and enough to share with your book club. Those sayings just jump into my conversation too. I don’t even think about it…they are just there. LOL DuffyBrown@DuffyBrown.com
Looks great, i hope to get a chance to read it 🙂
Try this one: “She is crazier than a sprayed roach!”
Love that one, Lisa!! Perfect!
Love it.
Anyone wanting Demise in Denim bookmarks etc email DuffyBrown@DuffyBrown.com with your mailing address. Love chatting with you all
One of the southern sayings that always makes me shake my head is “It don’t make me no nevermind” for “I don’t care”!
A most delightful book which I would enjoy. I just know many sayings but not Southern. From your mouth to God’s ears. Yiddish ones.
You’ve got some good ones. I’ve been researching same for my new southern Indiana series, an area that sounds more Kentucky than Indiana. “That went faster than green grass through a goose” and “well, fill my ears with jam and throw me in the anthill” are a couple of favorites!
Those are fantastic, Edith. Your series sound terrific.
I am originally from Cincy and my late husband always asked if We needed.. shots to get back across the river when We had visited Kentucky. One of my favorite sayings is Good grief Gertie. Would love a copy of your book.
Another gal from Cincy!! I live in Milford. I love your saying. So cute
Sounds like a great read. I like the book cover.
I so love the chance to win a book that looks to be a great read! Thank you for the opportunity; and looking forward to catching up with your series!
Well shut my mouth and call me a clam lol
Although I’m not Southern I love Southern stories. This one sounds wonderful and thanks for the chance to win.
Hi, Mary. I love the South…the people and the food. Yummmm
How the rabbit ate the cabbage.
In response to someone using the word”If” my dad use to say, “The dog wouldn’t have caught the rabbit IF the rabbit wouldn’t have stopped to poop.”
Small word, big meaning.
All those sayings say so much in so few words.
My mother had quite a few sayings, she actually used many of the ones you listed…and we’re from the North, LOL. I heard the butter my butt one a few years ago and have used it a couple of times, I think it’s hysterical. One that I use a lot is ” easy come, easy go” and “what goes around, comes around”. My mother’s favorite is “he was busier than a one armed paper hanger”.
Love this series, congrats on the new release, I can’t wait to read it.
I use the same ones you do a lot. The one armed paper hanger is one of my favs.
I too love southern stories, even though I am a Coloradan. My mom was from Oklahoma, and she often used those sayings. Can’t wait to read your book, and thanks for the giveaway.
Hi, Patty. Those cute sayings sure make the books come alive.
Miss Duffy I love your books! The lunch bag looks awesome and would make a nice gift for my favorite reader…with a copy of your book tucked inside of course! Thanks for the opportunity to win.
Hi, Barbara. Thank you so much!! Send me your mailing address and I’ll send along some Demise in Denim bookmarks etc. thanks for chatting
Hi Duffy: I don’t need the lunch tote but wanted to send you a couple of phrases heard locally in MA. Boston proper and the surrounding towns and cities all use the word “Wicked” as to Wicked good, Wicked bad, or just Wicked with a tone of the voice that gives you a clue… and what they are referring to that follows Wicked (and I won’t write what a common one is. but it starts with a P and ends in ssa :). As to another one that we use now, and I am not sure if it is because we have grandchildren, but we don’t want to say anything inappropriate in front of them we use the term “Jeeze (or Geeze), Louise” (I say it not spell it so not sure which way it should be spelled) instead of a swear or a cuss. It can mean a lot of things like darn, or a feeling of frustration but mostly when something goes wrong. Very utilitarian two word phrase. 🙂 I also hear” Good Golly” (but not with the added Miss Molly) a lot and I thought that went out with my grandparents generation but it is back. My grandfather from CT used to say when some party or get together was being planned for that night in the neighborhood (in town) “It is gonna be a hot time in the old town tonight”. Also familiar here in MA for an answer to when someone is going to do something, I have heard “not until the cows come home” but we don’t have many farms in our area so I imagine it is also one of the throw back phrases and when do they actually come home, at milking time I assume. 🙂
So I hope you had a Wicked good day, Duffy
From my state to yours….
Cynthia .
Those are fantastic, Cynthia. Geeze Louise is big in Michigan too, I use that one on my Mackinac Island books. Good Golly is another. Thanks for chatting. Hope you are doing well. Hugs
One of my favorites is “God willin’ and the creek don’t flood”.
Bless your heart, I’m a southerner, too! I love the title and cover! Your book sounds great and I love the bag! Thank you for the chance!
Hi Betty. Bet you have some amazing recipes. Yummm Berkley gives me fantastic covers. I’m so lucky! Thanks for chatting
Yep I know all of those sayings and hear them and say them quite often. I call everyone hon’ and we all say thank you even if we dont mean it. I love true southernism and chuckle when I read some that are not quite right in books. I usually just figure they are from a different region than I am. Each area does have their own little take on the basics. But one thing we all have is our Southern hospitality. I remember working in the lost baggage office for an airline. A woman came in and was screaming at me that we had lost her bag and how horrible we were. Of course some of her words were a bit choice. I calmly told her how sorry I was and advised her I would do everything possible to help her find her bag as soon as possible. She turned and walked out the door. I was stunned. A few minutes later she came back in and told me I was doing it all wrong. She was from Boston and told me I had to scream and curse back at her. I had to laugh. Her boyfriend had told her we southerners we nice but she never believed him. I thank you for the opportunity to win. Bless ya and take care
Southern hospitality is for real!! One of the best things about the South is how they help each other. Great story about the gal from Boston. Thanks for chatting.
Duffy, I’ve spoken a number of these
sayings. Too funny! I’m glad I found out about you through Jeff’s comments. I live in hot and humid FL.
Hi, Nancy. Jeff is a hoot. Love his blog and what a terrific guy. Wonderful meeting you online. Hugs, Duffy.
The bag is so cute and I love to read
Bless your heart, you have no fetchins up! Meaning: no common sense. My husband is still trying to figure this one out, asking me what it means & all. I just tell him if he had any, he’d know what it meant! LOL Love your books so much! I am so very hooked on the Consignment series.
I love books set in the south–there’s always something interesting to learn–who knew that Bless Your Heart could be a bad thing.
It’s all in how you say it. LOL 🙂
My, My—I’m up here in Minnesota and we use most of those sayings, too. I’m thinking of “She doesn’t have the sense God gave a goose.”
Thanks for the contest.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
I use that one all the time here in Cincy. It fits so many occasions.
How ’bout “She dills my pickles”? Judy
Love it!!
“Better than sliced bread, “, or get “sliced” bread on special occasion
“Sweet milk”. We “tote” instead of “carry” , directions are ” over yonder a ways”, and ” happy as a dead pig in the sunshine”
These are great, Peggy. I use Happy as a pig in mud. 🙂
Preaching to the choir was one of my dad’s favorite sayings. Thanks for the giveaway too!
I use that one all the time too…and so do my kids. Says so much in so few words.
I have used many of your sayings, even though I have lived in the midwest my whole life. Though, a few are definitely southern, but I have relatives in Florida, so have heard them all.
I remember, and have used three of my dad’s favorite sayings. Don’t mess with the bull, you’ll get the horns; whatever blows your dress up; and whatever floats your boat.
I love your books Duffy, so much humor in them.
Don’t enter me in the giveaway, just wanted to comment.
This might not be a southern saying, but I had never heard the expression “she threw him under the bus” before I started living in the South. I’d love to win your cozy.
Oh Jen, I use the float your boat one all the time. Thanks for picking up my books and for the support and kind words. I truly appreciate it. Hugs, Duffy.
I got the thrown under the bus own from my kids. I use it all the them too.
I meant I’d love to win a lunch tote!!
I enjoy this series…I love her neighbor, her mother, the judge, and the dog that has adopted her. Plus the sexy lawyer….
My mother use to tell me, when I did something she really didn’t like or talk back to her when I was younger, you will be searching for me with a flashlight and you are not going to find me. She didn’t say it often, but when she did it made you think where did she get that one from.
contest is closed.