Southern Tongue

By Damon Bonds

Southern Tongue is a 192 page compilation of over 1300 words and expressions commonly used throughout the Southern United States. The book is set alphabetically in a dictionary-style format with... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0970467133
• ISBN13: 9780970467133
• Release Date: November 2001
• Publisher: Nomad Pub.
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 0.88 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.5" x 0.5" x 5.5"

Customer Reviews

Kiss ma grits!

Southern Tongue is the perfect coffee table book for any true Southerner. I have recently moved away from the South, and miss it almost every day. This book brings a smile to my face every time I pick it up. It's not quite a dictionary in the literal sense, but it's definately a compilation of delightful and nostalgic "Southernisms." Just about every page has expressions I still use to this day and now can show my friends, "see I'm not the only one that talks this way!" I can almost feel the warm breezes of home, and smell the bbq my Daddy prides himself on. Not to mention Mamma's chicken fried steak! MMM-MMM what a memory! Thanks to Mr. Bonds for giving us this merry and light hearted view on the way we Southerners speak in such a delightful "down home" way. I enjoyed the heck out of it and would recommend it to anyone looking for a clue into the "Southern Tongue."

Southern as grits and gators

I would like to rebut a previous review of "Southern Tongue". I'm a born and bred Southern boy who's been away from home for quite some time. Buying this book was like getting a care package from Mom. It sparked a flood of memories and (like the publisher said) left me homesick, but happy. It reminded me of the crawfish boils we used to have in the summer and of how Daddy always had to have his grits on Saturday morning. It reminded me of things my Granny used to say when I was young. Things I had forgotten. The reviewer that I'm rebutting stated that there wasn't a hint of insight in this book as to anything Southern. I disagree and I AM a bonified Southerner (not a Californian like this other self-proclaimed expert.) In fact, I can't for the life of me, think of anything in my own Southern vocabulary that isn't in this book. Granted, many of the expressions in this book are in used elsewhere, but this was stated in the fore matter of the book (had you read it). I live in Alaska now, but I still use my "Southern Tongue" everyday, so of course the expressions exist outside the South. Also, in defense of "Southern Tongue", this is obviously a nostalgic, novelty, gift, "hit-home" with a Southerner type of book. Hell, I bought 5 to give to my kinfolk back home next Christmas. It's a little piece of the South that I am proud to have on my coffee table. If you want "etymology and regional analysis" you should probably go get a college education. This book, however, is as fun and light-hearted as the South and Southern people are, and if you don't get it then California is probably a good place for you to be. Like Lynyrd Skynyrd sang, "A Southern man don't need [you] around anyhow."And to the author...thanks! I've been reading a few expressions each night, and always catch myself smiling. Now when my Alaskan friends wonder what I'm talking about, I show them your book, and they usually get a kick out of it too. Thanks again.

Each entry is authoritatively defined

Southern Tongue: A Dictionary Of Southern Expressions is a compilation of more than 1300 words and expressions commonly used throughout the Southern United States. Each entry is authoritatively defined, including usage examples for clarity and context. The entries are presented alphabetically in a dictionary style format, complete with headers and cross-references. Highly recommended for students of linguistics, tourists, academicians including historians and cultural anthropologists, tourists and travelers through the southern states, as well as novelists and biographers seeking authenticity in their historical or regional dialogues, Southern Tongue offers an in-depth examination at the unique ways in which Southerners choose to express themselves.

A way of life

Southern Tongue is the most comprehensive compilation of southern verbage I have ever come across. Being a "Texan" by birth, and a ... by heritage, most of the entries are used in my daily conversations. I really enjoyed the descriptive text that follows each entry. Being a "Son of the South", I can relate to the contents of this book. I highly recommend it for it's entertainment, as well as educational, value. And I "ain't just whistling Dixie".

Southern!

I actually found this book suprisingly informative. It contained so many words and phrases I always say and never think about, that I just kept laughing. I think this would be a welcome addition to any Southern bookcase.