If you’re going to stay in Charlotte, you need to know these Southern terms
I went to a philanthropy conference and accidentally learned how to be Southern.
I trekked across town to the Ballantyne Hotel for the Women’s Collective Giving Grantmakers Network National Leadership Forum 2015 (say that three times fast). When I sat down at a fancy table next to a plate of donuts and biscuits (subliminal Southern messaging?), I sat back expecting to learn about how people should embrace roles as practitioners of philanthropy. And I did.
Kerry Sullivan, president of the Bank of America Charitable Foundation, flew in from Boston to share a few tips for philanthropists:
(1) “The money matters but the voices are so essential in our connection to community and the needs that you personally want to see addressed in a collective fashion.”
(2) Share success stories in dealing with social issues. That encourages progress.
(3) “We need to focus on fundamental issues facing our communities. Our strategy, in shorthand, is hunger, housing, jobs.”
But I heard those words only after The Queen of Fun (formally known as Pam Johnson, secretary of the Women’s Impact Fund Board of Directors) stood up wearing a crown and carrying a scepter. She educated the group (PowerPoint included) with a list of handy Southern & Charlottean terms and phrases to know if you’re going to stick around town.
I took notes:
– Y’all
This makes you sound nicer than you sound when you say “you guys.”
https://twitter.com/CoreyInscoe/status/652564143984259072
– All y’all
The plural of y’all.
– Bless your heart
More advanced Southern. It sounds lovely, but it’s really not meant that way.
In context: “Bless your heart, I just love how you Yankees come out and say what you think.”
– Shag
This is a partner dance — disregard the Austin Powers definition.
– I just hate that for you
When you say this, you really mean “Give me a break” or “Suck it up.”
In context: Person you dislike says she can’t make it to supper club tonight. You’re secretly pleased and you say, “I just hate that for you.”
– Uptown*
Anything that you mean is downtown is uptown — The EpiCentre, Bank of America Stadium, and on. But you knew that already because you read C5.
Taken from the @WBTV_News TowerCam this morning. http://t.co/OPscRIRkYC #charlotte #cltskyline pic.twitter.com/A1JMbbE6dp
— Katie McKiever (@KatieMcKiever) September 15, 2015
– On my last nerve
This means you are just fed up.
– Stephen Curry*
Everyone has a soft spot for this local sports star. Pronounced stef-in.
Can't wait to launch the #CurryTwo! We're dropping limited pairs in China on Sept 6 for the #UARoadshow. pic.twitter.com/FYf6y4BAeJ
— Stephen Curry (@StephenCurry30) September 2, 2015
– NUEVOlution
Because this word just sounds cool. Also, it is the name of the exhibition at Levine Museum of the New South that explores the influx of Hispanics that the South is experiencing. Panthers coach Ron Rivera is part of this new evolution.
– Holler at*
Meaning: Call.
In context: “I will holler at you about dinner plans, okey doke?”
Photos: Katie Toussaint, giphy.com
*Katie Toussaint is a native Charlottean and has only used these starred terms in conversation. When she’s not blaming her North Dakotan parents for failing to teach her to be a proper Southerner, she edits for CharlotteFive and community news at the Charlotte Observer. Follow her on Twitter @katietoussaint.
This story was originally published October 19, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "If you’re going to stay in Charlotte, you need to know these Southern terms."