15 Phrases That Will Make You Swear Arkansans Have Their Own Language
By J.B. VanDyke|Published July 21, 2017
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J.B. VanDyke
Author
J.B. Weisenfels has lived in rural Arkansas for three decades. She is a writer, a mom, and a graduate student. She is also an avid collector of tacky fish whatnots, slightly chipped teapots, and other old things. In her spare time she enjoys driving to the nearest creek to sit a while. If you were to visit her, she'd try to feed you cornbread.
Does anyone remember when the Natural State was called the Land of Opportunity? I sure do. I also remember telling a friend from up north that I “wouldn’t pee in his ear if his brains were on fire” and seeing a looking of confusion cross her face while she tried to figure out what that meant. Below you’ll find fifteen phrases that seem totally normal to us, but are likely to cause similar looks of confusion on the faces of those who ain’t from around these parts.
1. "Boy howdy, child, you could argue with a fence post."
This one seems really obvious, honestly. The receiver of this designation could start an argument in an empty house. I should know, as I have been told this about a million times.
This response to "wait a minute" has been around since we had wagons, and has remained a mainstay since we all started hauling things in pickup trucks.
Our methods of describing locations can leave something to be desired, so folks should consider themselves lucky when we give directions that include going "three quarters of a mile or thereabouts west-southwest on past the old Hitchens barn." That’s way more specific than "over yonder a ways."
They could also pee down your leg and tell you it’s raining, but it’s so much better when no one is peeing on you or dressing up bad news to benefit their own interests.
Somebody better fry something, and fast. This person’s belly thinks their throat’s been cut.
For phrases you definitely heard growing up in the Natural State, click here. You should also check out this list of words Arkansans just don’t understand.
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