Socyberty > Subcultures

We are Losing More and More of Our Old Folk Sayings

Old Folk Sayings I remember when I was growing up in north Georgia and as a young woman. I love these colorful expressions and when I hear them now, they are music to my ears.

I heard these old folk sayings every day of my life when I was growing up in north Georgia, and as a young woman. We are losing our way of talking and becoming to generic for my taste. (Me included) I miss these colorful expressions. They are so right to the point and say so much in so few words. When I hear them now occasionally, they are music to my ears. I would like to share with you some of those sayings I most remember.

For the more obscure I will give the meaning. Most speak for themselves and need no clarification from me.

  1. Pretty as a speckled pup
  2. That dog won't hunt.
  3. He is full of bull.
  4. She is ugly as a mud fence
  5. Talking like a house afire
  6. Green as grass
  7. Jumpy as a cat in a roomful of rockers
  8. Drunker than a skunk
  9. Looks like two cats fighting in a tow sack. (A big woman's backside)
  10. Fat as a pig
  11. Skinny as a rail
  12. Wet behind the ears
  13. Happy as a cow in clover
  14. Wish in one hand, shell corn in the other and see which one gets full the quickest.
  15. Pretty is as pretty does
  16. You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink.
  17. Hotter than the devil
  18. No need to buy a cow when you can get your milk for free.
  19. Slicker than greased lightning (cunning)
  20. Betwixt the devil and the deep blue sea
  21. Don't jump out of the frying pan into the fire.
  22. A pot doesn't call the kettle black.
  23. Birds of a feather flock together.
  24. People in glass houses shouldn't better throw stones.
  25. I will fix your little red wagon. (I will whip your backside.)
  26. I will clean your clock. (I will whip you.)
  27. You need a good dose of peach tree tea. (You need a whipping.)
  28. Don't sit and fiddle while Rome burns. (Get up and get to work.)
  29. Raining cats and dogs
  30. Sharp as a tack (smart)
  31. Happy as a dead pig in the sunshine
  32. Don't count your chickens before they hatch.
  33. Cold as a witch's tit.
  34. He's blowing hot air.
  35. She's thirty if she's a day.
  36. A penny short and a day late
  37. Pretty as a brand new penny
  38. Boiled as an owl (drunk)
  39. Tall as a Georgia pine
  40. He wouldn't know the truth if it looked him in the face.
  41. He's so ugly his mama doesn't claim him.
  42. He's so tight he squeaks when he walks.
  43. He's as wiggley as a snake. (Wont admit to anything)
  44. Get on the stick. (Get busy)
  45. I will light a fire under you.
  46. Butter wouldn't melt in her mouth.
  47. Rob Peter to pay Paul
  48. Dry as dust
  49. He has a shell thicker than a turtles.
  50. She's putty in my hands.
  51. He's lost all his marbles.
  52. The two of them are thick as thieves.
  53. He is wearing blinders.
  54. The older the ram the thicker the horn.
  55. The early bird gets the worm.
  56. Slow as molasses
  57. Friendly as the day is long
  58. Cunning as a fox
  59. Clean our from under your own door step before you clean out from under someone else's.
  60. Trust to the lord and keep your powder dry.
  61. Come on in and see how poor folks live.
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Comments (15)
#1 by angelstar, Sep 5, 2007
nice one - you are so right we are losing so many old memories. x
#2 by Harold, Sep 5, 2007
Our old ways have almost gone and I for one am sorry to see them go.
#3 by babydog, Sep 6, 2007
old as dirt?
#4 by Doug, Sep 6, 2007
and put it where the sun don't shine.
#5 by Thomas Scanders, Sep 8, 2007
I haven't heard these in awhile. Its to bad we can't keep our old manner of speech.
#6 by Yankee, Sep 9, 2007
i've heard these. some are good, most are spoken with poor english and should not be used. There's enough ignorant people out there, let;s not make it easier for them to communicate by encouraging it.
#7 by Ruby Hawk, Sep 9, 2007
Yankee, Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment, I disagree with your opinion becuse I love our way of speaking, but I can't expect everyone to think as I do,Anyway it is going so fast I hardly hear it anymore and that makes me sad.
#8 by Ruby Hawk, Sep 9, 2007
Yankee, Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment, I disagree with your opinion becuse I love our way of speaking, but I can't expect everyone to think as I do,Anyway it is going so fast I hardly hear it anymore and that makes me sad.
#9 by Ruby Hawk, Sep 9, 2007
Hi Yankee, Thank you for sharing your opinion with me,tho I disagree. I grew up in the north Georgia hills and the colorful old sayings I heard then,are music to my ears.I know some people share your opinion and that is fine. Its good we don't all think alike. I like the difference in people. Best wishes to you and yours.

Thanks to everyone who made a comment. I appreciate you all.
#10 by anne, Sep 17, 2007
what about "going to the ginny"? What does it mean?
#11 by ruby Hawk, Sep 17, 2007
Anne, that is one I have never heard. I would like to know too.
#12 by Hannah, Sep 17, 2007
Wow I have never heard so many before though I have heard some of them.
#13 by Mattie Crowley, Sep 29, 2007
I grew up hearing all of these,most I haven't heard in years, but I still miss hearing them.They are a big part of our mountain culture.
#14 by Kathryn Hathaway, Oct 14, 2007
I love these old sayings. My grandparents said these same things all the time.Once in awhile I repeat one to hear it again.I would go any amount of miles to hear these from the mouths of people they come naturely to. I would hug them to my breast.
#15 by Tiger Stovall, Jan 25, 2008
Where and what does the saying mean: When you are holding hands and come across an object that you have to break the hold and you say, "Bread and Butter"?
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