Southern Style Goodbyes: Informal Phrases and Their Meanings
When traveling through the Southern United States, you might encounter many informal ways to say goodbye. These phrases capture the friendly and informal tone often found in Southern speech. Here are 17 unique Southern style sayings for saying goodbye:
17 Informal Goodbye Phrases, Southern Style
By Hotty Toddy
1. Church is finally letting out
Rather than: I gotta jet.
2. Church is out
Rather than: I gotta take off.
3. Don't take any wooden nickels
Rather than: I gotta bounce.
4. Don't let the door hit ya’ where the good Lord split ya'
Rather than: I gotta split.
5. Holler if you need me
Rather than: Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.
6. It’s time to heat up the bricks
Rather than: Let the tidings of good fortune always clean up after itself.
7. It’s time to put the chairs in the wagon
Rather than: When your dreams turn to dust it’s time to vacuum.
8. It’s time to swap spit and hit the road
Rather than: It’s all said and done it’s real and it’s been fun.
9. Keep your saddle oiled and your gun greased
10. History never really says goodbye. History says 'See you later.' – Eduardo Galeano
11. Let’s blow this pop stand
Rather than: Let’s blow this joint.
12. Let’s head for the wagon yard
Rather than: I gotta make tracks.
13. Let’s light a shuck
Note: To get a mule to hurry back to the barn, farmers would light a cornhusk and tie it to the beast’s tail.
14. That about puts the rag on the bush
Rather than: I gotta hit the road. Note: This refers to the practice of leaving one's clothes on a bush while skinny dipping.
15. That’s all she wrote
Fact: The popular version of the origin of this expression is that it is the punch line of a mournful tale about an American GI serving overseas in WWII. The said sad serviceman is supposed to have received a letter from his sweetheart. He reads it to his colleagues: “Dear John.” Well go on they say. "That’s it that’s all she wrote."
16. Time to pour on the fire and call in the dogs
Rather than: Smell you later.
17. Well let me get on about my rat killin'
Rather than: Peace out!
Y’all come back now hear
Note: From The Beverly Hillbillies: "Set a spell take yer shoes off y’all come back now hear."
Conclusion
Exploring the nuances of Southern slang not only enriches our understanding of regional culture but also introduces us to a vibrant and expressive language. These unique goodbye phrases add a charming, down-home touch to the way we part ways, capturing a part of Southern charm and hospitality.
Related Resources
For more in-depth exploration of Southern slang and its cultural significance, consider checking out:
The local dialect and its evolution through history Speech patterns and regional accents Examples of Southern humor and idioms