![]() ![]() There's no food quite like Southern fried chicken Just practice your tone before you try this in public. Examples: "Her outfit is just a hot mess," or "Bobby Ray's family situation is a hot mess right now." ![]() She is cheap cheap." You don't have to emphasize with your tone when you use "hot mess" because the words do it for you, which is handy. That guy is cute cute," or "Shirl won't pay. In the second example, the person talking about Edna Earl's boy would be shaking her head in sympathy, maybe adding a "tsk" and a "bless his heart" at the end because that boy apparently has done something to disgrace the family.Īnd then there's the phrase "hot mess." It's the new way to emphasize a word or statement, like we did in the '90s by doubling the word, like: "Look, Merleen. Read more: Bless your heart is all about the tone In the first example, the person talking about Edna Earl's boy would be shaking her head and smiling, as if she finds it hard to believe just how cute and funny and smart that boy is. Listen to tone, watch facial expressions. See the difference? No? That's because the difference in the use of this word is all about nuances. If you want to read about more Southernisms, purchase our book, " Southern Thesaurus: For When You're Plumb Out of Things to Say" Here's the nice way to say it: "Edna Earl's oldest boy is such a mess!"Īnd the mean way: "Edna Earl's oldest boy is such a mess!" So how do you tell the difference? In my role as a serious professional journalist, I'll explain. Then we had to go complicate things by describing people as "a mess" – in a good way … and in a bad way. It can even mean "a large quantity or number," as in "cooking a mess of collard greens." It could mean "a place where people gather to eat," as in "lunch is in the mess hall." It could mean "disordered, untidy or unpleasant condition," i.e., "the room is a mess." ![]() ( Get the latest from It's a Southern Thing by subscribing to our newsletter, where you'll find the latest videos, stories and merchandise.)Ī mess could mean, "cooking a mess of collard greens." "Mess" was already a seriously multitasking word before we Southerners decided to add to its workload. More like a wreck, all over the place, crazy, acting a fool." Another guy, however, said "No, 'a mess' does not mean adorable. Thankfully, some Southerners responded to his question and confirmed the woman was not trying to insult his son. Then the dad wrote: "She was so suspect and shifty, though, I totally don't believe her," which, Confused Internet Guy, was an ugly thing to say, and everyone knows God don't like ugly. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |