North Carolina (UBM)- North Carolina is a state that has a lot of history, natural beauty, and a unique culture. The Tar Heel State has a distinctive way of speech that combines Southern charm with local traditions, and this may be heard from the mountains to the coast.
If you have been here for any length of time, you may have learned several words and phrases that only people from North Carolina really know.
So, what are the signs that you have spent too much time living in North Carolina? If you can utter these 11 words without any difficulty, it is a certain indication that you have accepted your inner North Carolinian.
1. You all
In North Carolina, the word “y’all” is used to refer to everyone, regardless of whether you are speaking to one person or a group of people. “Y’all” is an abbreviation of the phrase “you all,” and is a characteristic Southern idiom. It is a friendly and welcoming term that makes interactions feel more intimate. If you have ever said “Hey, y’all!” or asked “What are y’all doing later?” in a friendly way, then you have undoubtedly picked up some North Carolina slang.
2. Buggy
In North Carolina, it is referred to as a “buggy,” while in many other areas of the country, it is termed a shopping cart. This word is very prevalent in rural areas and even in certain urban areas. The next time you go grocery shopping and ask someone to get you a “buggy,” you’ll know you’re speaking the language of North Carolina.
3. Fixing
The word “fixin'” is a traditional term in the Southern vocabulary, and in North Carolina, it signifies that you are preparing to do something. It’s a crucial word for everyone who lives in the area, whether it’s used in sentences like “I’m fixin’ to leave” or “He’s fixin’ to go fishing.” If you have begun to use the word “fixin'” without even thinking about it, you are completely steeped in the culture of North Carolina.
4. Holler
In North Carolina, the word “holler” does not mean to shout. Instead, it is a term that refers to a little valley or hollow, especially in the Appalachian mountains. For instance, people who live in the area may call a certain place “down in the holler.” This is a quaint, rural expression that becomes a part of your lexicon after you have been here for a while.
5. Bojangles
If you go to North Carolina, you have to stop by Bojangles, the well-known fast-food restaurant that serves fried chicken and biscuits. Just saying the word “Bojangles” can make a North Carolinian’s mouth swim right away. If you have ever said, “Let’s go to Bojangles,” and immediately thought of crispy chicken tenders and a cold sweet tea, you are definitely from the area.
6. Piddlin’
The Southern term “piddlin'” is a charming way to describe the act of doing something in a relaxed, unhurried manner or just messing around. For instance, “I was just piddlin’ in the garden” or “Stop piddlin’ around and get to work.” It’s a laid-back, even whimsical word that symbolizes the leisurely pace of life in North Carolina, especially in the more rural parts.
7. Coca-Cola
In North Carolina, the name “Coke” is a catch-all phrase for any kind of soft drink. When you ask for a Coke at a restaurant, it might actually be any kind of soda, such as Pepsi or Sprite. Therefore, when a waitress asks, “What kind of Coke do you want?” you should identify your preferred drink. However, the word “Coke” has come to mean soda in general.
8. Tump
When you “tump” something, you accidently knock it over or tip it over. This is a word that you might hear in a casual conversation when someone spills a drink or tips over a bucket. The phrase “I tumped over the milk jug” is a famous example of the term’s usage, and it serves as a reminder of the region’s distinctive lexicon.
9. Dixie
The phrase “Dixie” is used to refer to the Southern United States, especially in North Carolina, it is used with pride. The term “Dixie” frequently appears in discussions, whether the topic is Southern culture, food, music, or anything else. If you have ever claimed “I’m from Dixie” or referred to the region as “Dixie,” you have acknowledged a part of North Carolina’s long-standing Southern heritage.
10. Yonder
If a person from North Carolina states that something is “over yonder,” they are saying that it is a little farther away, out of sight, or in the distance. It is a delightful and useful method for providing directions or describing something that is not too far away. When someone is trying to show you where a place is or how to get there, they can say, “It’s just over yonder.”
11. Tater
throughout North Carolina, the word “tater” is used to refer to a potato. This term is commonly used throughout the South for both cooking and casual conversation. People will casually refer to all kinds of potatoes, from mashed to baked, as “taters.” If you have ever informed someone that you are preparing “taters” for supper, you are undoubtedly revealing that you are from North Carolina.
If you often find yourself using these terms and phrases, you have probably become an honorary North Carolinian. These words, from the relaxed “fixin'” to the warm “y’all,” show the easygoing and welcoming character of life in the Tar Heel State. If you happen to use some of these terms in conversation, don’t be shocked if someone asks you, “How long have you lived here?”
When you can effortlessly speak these 11 words, it is obvious that you have completely embraced the Southern charm of North Carolina.
