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.
- Pretty as a speckled pup
- That dog won't hunt.
- He is full of bull.
- She is ugly as a mud fence
- Talking like a house afire
- Green as grass
- Jumpy as a cat in a roomful of rockers
- Drunker than a skunk
- Looks like two cats fighting in a tow sack. (A big woman's backside)
- Fat as a pig
- Skinny as a rail
- Wet behind the ears
- Happy as a cow in clover
- Wish in one hand, shell corn in the other and see which one gets full the quickest.
- Pretty is as pretty does
- You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink.
- Hotter than the devil
- No need to buy a cow when you can get your milk for free.
- Slicker than greased lightning (cunning)
- Betwixt the devil and the deep blue sea
- Don't jump out of the frying pan into the fire.
- A pot doesn't call the kettle black.
- Birds of a feather flock together.
- People in glass houses shouldn't better throw stones.
- I will fix your little red wagon. (I will whip your backside.)
- I will clean your clock. (I will whip you.)
- You need a good dose of peach tree tea. (You need a whipping.)
- Don't sit and fiddle while Rome burns. (Get up and get to work.)
- Raining cats and dogs
- Sharp as a tack (smart)
- Happy as a dead pig in the sunshine
- Don't count your chickens before they hatch.
- Cold as a witch's tit.
- He's blowing hot air.
- She's thirty if she's a day.
- A penny short and a day late
- Pretty as a brand new penny
- Boiled as an owl (drunk)
- Tall as a Georgia pine
- He wouldn't know the truth if it looked him in the face.
- He's so ugly his mama doesn't claim him.
- He's so tight he squeaks when he walks.
- He's as wiggley as a snake. (Wont admit to anything)
- Get on the stick. (Get busy)
- I will light a fire under you.
- Butter wouldn't melt in her mouth.
- Rob Peter to pay Paul
- Dry as dust
- He has a shell thicker than a turtles.
- She's putty in my hands.
- He's lost all his marbles.
- The two of them are thick as thieves.
- He is wearing blinders.
- The older the ram the thicker the horn.
- The early bird gets the worm.
- Slow as molasses
- Friendly as the day is long
- Cunning as a fox
- Clean our from under your own door step before you clean out from under someone else's.
- Trust to the lord and keep your powder dry.
- Come on in and see how poor folks live.