I want to have some fun here and share some good old country sayin’s I have heard my family use as I grew up. Just simple thoughts, words and phrases. If you have spent time in the southern states of our great country, I am sure you have heard some of the sayings I am going to share. It is purely for enjoyment!
I had been talking to a family member, and she got me thinking back on family and gatherings. We had some good ones. I was born in Louisiana but raised in Texas. Some of these sayings popped into my head and made me smile. I could just hear an aunt, cousin, or friend saying these too. So I hope it will have you reminiscing and remembering those days too. I hope you are grinnin’ ear to ear as I did. Enjoy.
Good Old Country Sayings From Back In The Day—Say What?
“Hold your horses.” Before cars, people used horses; this expression reminds people to rein in their horses—figuratively meaning their impatience.
“They were the bee’s knees”—meaning they were excellent or a much-liked person or thing.
“It was like herding cats,” which means you were trying to control something that is hard to control.
“The squeaky wheel gets the grease.” – meaning the most noticeable or complaining person or problem is the one most likely to receive attention or will be addressed.
“If it had been a snake, it have bitten you (or me).” – meaning if you couldn’t find something that was in plain sight.
“Heavens to Betsy!” – when you want to express surprise (try this instead of OMG) (nobody’s quite sure who Betsy was, but you can’t say it without sounding overly dramatic.
“Well, I’ll be a monkey’s uncle!” – an exclamation for disbelief!
“Don’t get your knickers in a wad!” – a way to tell someone not to overreact or calm down. It sounds so silly it relieves the tension, and everyone laughs.
“A stitch in time saves nine”—a reminder to take care of problems early before they grow in bigger ones.
“Well I’ll be a monkey’s uncle!”—a silly exclamation for disbelief. You smile every time it’s said.
“Don’t count your chickens before they’ve hatched!” – meaning someone should not depend on something happening they hoped for untill they it will happen.
“There’s no point in beating a dead horse.” – to keep talking about a subject that has already been decided or discussed.
“Well, don’t that beat all?”—an informal expression used to express a sense of surprise, disbelief, or exasperation at something remarkable or outrageous.
“Oh my stars!” expresses surprise or astonishment.
“Quit poking around.” – Stop searching or nosing into something, especially in a way that is unwanted or intrusive.
“You come back now, you hear!” – a warm and welcoming way of saying, “Please return sometime.”
“It will all come out in the wash.” – The truth will be revealed.
“That don’t amount to a hill of beans.” – used in a negative statement to express something has very little value or is not a big deal.
“Let’s bury the hatchet”—to end a quarrel or conflict and become friends.
“Blood is thicker than water.” – familial bonds will always be stronger than other relationships. Or that family comes first.
“I haven’t seen you since you were knee-high to a grasshopper.” – someone who has grown significantly since the last time they were seen.
“Oh Horse feathers!” – foolish or untrue words.
“If you lie down with dogs, you get fleas.” – you should be careful about the company you keep, like associating with people of bad character or habits.
“You’re preaching to the choir.” – presenting an argument or opinion to people who already agree with it.
” You can’t make an omelet without breaking a few eggs.” – achieving a desired outcome often requires making sacrifices or enduring some degree of damage or hardship.
“Strike while the iron is hot.” – to do something immediately while there is still a good chance to do it.
“No since crying over spilt milk.” – There’s no point in being upset about somethink that’s already happened and can’t be undone.
“Don’t put the cart before the horse.” – Something is done contrary to the natural or usually effective sequence of events. Don’t put the less important thing in front of the most important thing.
“A watched pot never boils.” – When you eagerly anticipate something, especially while waiting and watching, it seems to take a very long time for it to happen.
“Too many cooks spoil the broth.” – When too many people are involved in a task, it can lead to confusion, conflicting opinions, and ultimately a poor outcome.
“A rolling stone gathers no moss.” – A person who does not settle in one place will not accumulate wealth, status, responsibilities, or commitments.
I hope you got a chuckle as you read some of these! I can remember my mom or other family members saying some of these. I know I would ask sometimes what they mean. It gives me a smile to think of them. So check back with me if you want to see more. I will be adding more as I remember them or find more. Continue following me to see what else I come up with at Life Unboxed With ArmieG.