Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- noun An expression or a pronunciation characteristic of the southern United States or southern England.
- noun A trait, attitude, or practice characteristic of the South or southerners, especially in the United States.
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun A word or form of expression peculiar to the south, and specifically to the southern United States.
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- noun a locution or pronunciation peculiar to the southern United States
- noun an attitude characteristic of Southerners (especially in the US)
Etymologies
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Examples
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I am reminded of a quaint old Southernism: He ought not let his alligator mouth overload his hummingbird backside there are a couple alternate words for “backside” but this is a family friendly site.
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In an attempt to reverse this trend, a Southern friend of mine offers the alternate when the grits hit the pan, but this usage seems destined to remain a regionalism at best, the kind of Southernism collected by John H. Felts in "Bumps, Grinds, and Other Lewd
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Crist doesn't add anything to the campaign, despite his Southernism.
Obayhma. Ann Althouse 2008
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Q On the question of his appointment to the National Endowment for the Arts, is the President trying to inject more Southernism into our national culture, or is he --
Mccurry Briefing ITY National Archives 1997
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I really can't say that it's a widespread Southernism_ I'm not sure.
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Southernism, upon the issue of President Lincoln's proclamation calling for troops, and his caustic, biting tongue.
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Preston's strange heat and sudden Southernism, Mr. Davis's wile and greatness, a coming disputed election, quarrels between the people where I was born and the people where I was brought up, divisions and jealousies, floated before my mind in unlovely and confused visions.
Daisy 1868
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Preston's strange heat and sudden Southernism, Mr. Davis's wile and greatness, a coming disputed election, quarrels between the people where I was born and the people where I was brought up, divisions and jealousies, floated before my mind in unlovely and confused visions.
Daisy Susan Warner 1852
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Preston's strange heat and Southernism, Mr. Davis's wile and greatness, a coming disputed election, quarrels between the people where I was born and the people where I was brought up, divisions and jealousies, floated before my mind in unlovely and confused visions.
Daisy Susan Warner 1852
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But other people are saying well, it's kind of a Southernism.
NPR Topics: News 2011
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