Here are 17 hilarious sayings you’ll only hear in Tennessee, each with its own heading and a brief explanation for local context and flavor:
Fixin’ To
About to do something, but not in a rush—“I’m fixin’ to head out.”
Bless Your Heart
A sweet or sly way of showing concern, sympathy, or (sometimes) polite shade.
Holler
A narrow valley, pronounced “holler,” not “hollow”—“He lives out in the holler.”
Y’all
The classic Southern plural of ‘you’—in constant everyday use.
Cattywampus
Describes something crooked, off-kilter, or not quite right.
Hot Chicken
Not just spicy, but Nashville’s legendary and fiery fried chicken dish.
Hold Your Horses
A playful way of telling someone to slow down or be patient.
Hose Pipe
The Tennessean word for a garden hose—“Hand me the hose pipe!”
Meat and Three
An iconic Tennessee meal: one meat main and three side dishes.
Over Yonder
Means “over there somewhere” in a direction only locals can really point to.
Wasper
How many Tennesseans pronounce “wasp”—“Watch out for that wasper nest!”
Piddlin’
Describes wasting time or not working efficiently—“Quit piddlin’ around.”
Carry You
Means to give someone a ride somewhere—“I’ll carry you to the store.”
Supper
Dinner is always called “supper” in Tennessee homes.
The Volunteer State
The proud nickname for Tennessee and its people.
Big Orange
Universal reference for the University of Tennessee Volunteers.
Yankee
Endearingly used to describe anyone born north of the Mason-Dixon Line.
These colorful sayings are woven into Tennessee’s daily language and local wit, setting the state apart with humor and charm.
Sources
(https://servingupsouthern.com/50-of-the-best-southern-sayings/)
(https://www.yahoo.com/news/words-tennesseans-unique-tennessee-130000955.html)
(https://www.southernliving.com/southern-sayings-6534958)
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXi26CzRpkw)
(https://olered.com/nashville/articles/2019/nashville-phrases-glossary/)
