Can You Understand Northern Georgia Slang?

One Dozen Interesting Things You'll Only Hear In Northern Georgia. Ten phrases and two-word pronunciations that you'll only hear in Northern Georgia. This is a laugh for those who live in Georgia and a helpful hint for those who have friends in Northern Georgia.

Buggy

Now, most of y’all read that and probably thought I was talkin’ ‘bout a car. Nope I’m talking about that thing you push your groceries around in at the store. To some it’s called a “Shopping Cart” others shorten it to just “Cart” and some even refer to it as a “Basket”. But in Northern Georgia we call it a “Buggy”.

Coke

Bet y’all just pictured that bright red can with the cursive script to it didn’t ya? But to some of y’all reading this maybe you saw an orange label or a blue label, probably the label of your favorite drink, well that’s natural if you’re from the Atlanta, Georgia area. The sugary carbonated drink that can commonly and typically be called a “Fountain Drink” is referred to as “Coke or Coca-Cola” by most. This is mainly because Coca-Cola was first manufactured out of Atlanta. Oh, and we get a little offended when y’all ask for an Off Brand Coke... oops sorry a Pepsi.

Spittin’ Image

Monkey Business Images

Ever look at an old picture of your mama, your paw, or some other family member and thought you looked like ‘em? Well, now you know what I’m talking about. A few other states in the south use this term as well but it is mainly a Georgia thing. We use the term “Spittin’ Image” to say things look alike. Example: “Oh he’s just a spittin’ image of his Daddy,” Miss Jessica says lookin’ at the little boy in the sand. “Actually he’s more of a spittin’ image of his Pop,” the boy’s mother adds.

Mama ‘Nem

Becky Ochsner

“How’s your family?” Ever hear that walking up to an old friend or someone you haven’t seen for a while? If so I guarantee you’re not from Northern Georgia. Now something that you’ll hear a lot in Georgia is “How’s your mama ‘nem?” the term “mama ‘nem” basically means family, so your just asking how someone’s family is. I don’t know how or when that started but that’s what I’ve always heard growin’ up.

Fixin’ To...

Martyn Goddard

Bet you just laughed and told me I started my sentence funny. “You’re fixin’ to your car? That doesn’t make sense.” Well that’s not how I use that phrase, it’s kind of like “I’m heading out…” kind of deal. “Fixin’ to” is such a common phrase and many folk from up North will look at you funny the second you say it. I’m just telling you I’m planning on doing something. I.E.: “I’m fixin’ to go grocery shopping”, “I’m fixin’ to make some pie”.

Carry To...

Most of y’all reading this are probably cringing at the poor grammar right now but this is an older phrase that can mostly be heard from the older generation of Northern Georgians. It’s not necessarily a set phrase but we often times replace the term “take to” with “carry to”. So for example, instead of “I’m taking grandmama to the store.” You’d say, “I’m carrying grandmama out to the store,” or “I’m fixin’ to carry grandmama out to the store.”

Oil? Or Ole?

It’s all in the pronunciation nowadays isn’t it. It’s not a phrase or a “new” word, but the word “Oil” in the north (or at least northwest PA) is pronounced “Oi!-Ill” like two syllables. Meanwhile, in northern GA it’s pronounced more like “Ole” with one syllable.

Crayon? Or Crown?

Let’s play with pronunciation some more, I’m sure y’all needed a good laugh. Another fun word to play with is “Crayon,” well it’s more common in Northern Georgia to hear it pronounced “Crown.” While there are other places you hear it pronounced like this in the South it’s one not a lot of people expect from us.

Rollin’ A House

Ever driven by a house covered in toilet paper. Better question have you ever covered a house in toilet paper. Head south and a teenage favorite phase will change, “Toilet Papering a house” or “tping a house.” Those two terms in Georgia are changed dramatically, we call it “rolling a house.”

Miss “First Name”

Jose Luis Pelaez / Getty Images

What do you call your female teacher? The female neighbor across the street? I bet you use her last name, Mrs. Jones, Miss Carrow. Well one of my favorite things about Georgia is the politeness of everybody. When referring to women who are older than you it more polite to use their first name. For example; Miss Jackie or Mrs. Laura.

Bless Your Heart

A lot of people use the term “Bless Your Heart” but normally they mean that in a sweet way, saying that to someone after they do something or say something nice. “Angie you look so nice today.” “Awe, Carol bless your heart I needed to hear that.” Not in Georgia, when we say it we mean it as a sarcastic way of telling someone they did something silly or dumb. “Carol did you really just spend $600 on a chair?” “...Yeah… and then broke it the first day it was home.” “Carol… Bless Your Heart,” Angie says shaking her head.

The Devil is Beatin’ his Wife

My personal favorite is what we use to describe the weather when the sun is shining but it’s raining, we say “The devil is beatin’ his wife.” Most people don’t know what to call it so they explain it out. “What’s the weather like where you are?” “Well it’s raining, but I can see the sun.” Compared to, “What’s the weather like down there.” “Well the Devil is beatin/ his wife today.”