12 Words And Phrases People In Kentucky Just Don't Understand
By Jenn Shockley|Published September 16, 2015
×
Jenn Shockley
Author
I am somewhat a cliche'. I grew up running around barefoot on a farm in Kentucky.
I love writing, art, sunshine, all animals and my incredibly patient husband, who tolerates my "crazy animal lady" side.
As new Kentucky generations begin to outnumber those born before 1975, and out of state folks move here, we are seeing a whole new form of communication. There are words coming out of peoples’ mouths that leave us pondering, and often raising an eyebrow quizzically. Some of these comical expressions and words sound nothing like what one would normally say to express themselves in Kentucky. In most cases, they honestly just don’t seem to make any sense.
The younger generations create their own language, in some cases just to feel cool, or befuddle their parents or elders. Here are 12 words or phrases that may cause a Kentuckian to look perplexed:
Apparently, this actually means, "brother, or bro" to younger generations, though to many of us over 40, it sounds like their calling one another a bra…
This is the new way of cursing for kids, without saying the actual profanity. This means the person saying it is so hungry they are "f@$#%& hungry". If they are still young enough, perhaps they should try chewing on some soap to clean out that mouth.
If you hear your child say this on the phone, or see it posted on social media, they obviously don’t want you knowing what they are doing. Mom Over Shoulder or Parents are Watching, would be the meaning behind those letters. Be sneakier…
These are good eating to most of us, but to the newer generation, a catfish is someone using a fake profile on social media. To me, just saying, "that’s a fake profile" makes more sense…
This is a flexible term used when the kids are "turnt" meaning turned on/want sex, or tore up/intoxicated. On Walking Dead, it simply means, "they are a zombie now".
People have apparently gotten to lazy too say, "you only live once". Instead, the youth have shortened it to YOLO when doing something exhilarating like hanging at the Gorge. When first heard, it brings to mind someone with a speech impediment saying "hello".
Kentuckians like to speak plainly, in most cases, though we do have our “twang”. It seems like modern society is in such a hurry, they cannot even take the time to say a whole word. Instead, they have to shorten it for convenience, or a “coolness” factor. The majority of this new language doesn’t make a lot of sense. It’s becoming more common to see teenagers talking while their parents look on with a seemingly blank expression…What are some modern expressions or words that you have heard, and find baffling?
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
