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Category: Southern Expressions

High Water Pants Poor

High Water Pants Poor

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High Water Pants Poor--boy's legs and bare feet wearing tight, ripped, and too short jeansAll my life, I heard people talk about high water pants. They meant pants that were too short. Sometimes they bought them without trying them on for a proper fit. In most cases, they had either outgrown them or washed them until they shrank

When children outgrew their pants and families could not afford more, they were high water pants poor.

They had to make do until they could do better.

High water pant legs stop above the ankle.

I never considered that a fashion statement. However, many people desire high water pants. In fact, I have worn them without realizing they fit the definition. Various names include:

  • Capris
  • Cropped pants
  • Flood pants
  • Ankle pants
  • Kick flares
  • Clam diggers
  • Pedal Pushers

Like ripped jeans, what was once a sign of poverty became a fashion trend.

The high water pants poor are often richer than they think.

Like the dirt poor, they enjoy wealth beyond measure if they have:

  • Safe housing
  • Food for every day
  • Access to medical care
  • More than one change of clothes, fashionable or not
  • Family and friends who love them

Money cannot buy the greatest riches.

Peace, love, hope, and joy do not depend on stylish clothes or financial gain. Those signs of success never last. Rather, true riches come from following Jesus and finding new life and purpose in Him.

“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9 NIV).

Thanks to Ona Buckner Sidebottom for the suggestion and to Karen Atwood for the photo.

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Scarce as Hens’ Teeth

Scarce as Hens’ Teeth

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Scarce as Hens' Teeth--a rooster followed by a row of ducksThis photo, with lots of ducks and a rooster, has no hens. Hens are as scarce as hens’ teeth here.

Scarce as hens’ teeth means very scarce.

What we seek is:

  • Rare
  • Impossible or almost impossible to find

We seldom find a:

  • Mud puddle in the desert
  • Polar bear in Kentucky
  • Pessimist at an optimists’ meeting

Hens have no teeth.

That fact emphasizes how scarce an item can be. Finding what we want is like looking for a needle in a haystack. However, as with mud puddles in the desert, we may find them once in a blue moon.

We often give greater value to scarce items.

Supply and demand teach that demand (and prices) go up when supply goes down. We see that with:

  • One-of-a-kind art
  • Antiques
  • Limited editions of anything

Truth frequently feels as scarce as hens’ teeth.

Everywhere we turn, we find people trying to deceive us. Scams appear:

  • On our phones
  • In the mail
  • During business deals

Such occurrences make us mad as a wet hen.

Occasionally, we wonder if truth exists anymore.

However, one truth never fails.

God, who is truth, offers each of us grace and truth through the gift of Jesus. Hang on to that truth and never let go.

 “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14 NIV).

Thanks to Emily Akin for the suggestion.

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How the Sausage Is Made

How the Sausage Is Made

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How the Sausage Is Made Harriet Michael headshotPlease welcome my friend Harriet Michael as today’s guest writer. Harriet and I met at Kentucky Christian Writers Conference. She is an award-winning author and freelance writer. Harriet currently has ten books on Amazon with another coming out next year. She also has hundreds of articles, devotions, and stories published in numerous magazines and books. Follow her on her website, blog, or Amazon author page. 

How the sausage is made refers to the way something is created behind the scenes.

The process contains components a person might consider unpleasant. Usually the end product is pleasant, but the process involved in making it may have unpleasant steps.

How the Sausage Is Made--sausage grinder, knife, and meatHow the Sausage Is Made

 When delicious sausage is made, the process includes

  • Cutting up animal meats
  • Grinding them
  • Adding spices

Cutting up and grinding animal meats may be unpleasant even to those who love sausage

The Expression’s Use

I recently used this expression when I shared how an article goes from an idea in my head to being in print. The finished product — the article beautifully laid out and printed in a magazine — is pleasant. However, the work can be unpleasant:

  • Writing
  • Rewriting
  • Submitting to magazines
  • The possibility of rejections before finding a magazine that accepts it

Letting people peer into that process is like letting them see how sausage is made.

In our lives we sometimes go through unpleasant experiences.

Like the process in making sausage, though unpleasant at times, those experiences end in something good. All who follow Jesus have a promise that the challenges we go through will ultimately end in good. Romans 8:28 (KJV) tells us, “All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

Image by ivabalk from Pixabay.

Do you have an expression you want explained or a thought about this one? If so, please comment below.

How the Sausage Is Made-Harriet Michael book, Glimpses of the SaviorOn Saturday, October 22, I will randomly select the name of one person on my mailing list to receive a free copy of Harriet and Shirley Crowder’s devotional book, Glimpses of the Savior: 50 Meditations for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the New Year. If you are not already on my mailing list, you can sign up here.

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This Here

This Here

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This Here--small frog inside a flower looking in a windowThis here frog stared at me from outside our kitchen window. I stared back in amazement. He was so tiny, and he stayed in that same spot for hours. He appeared out of the blue around the same time and place the year before.

I don’t know where he stays between his yearly visits. He does not know I used to be terrified of frogs. They gave me the heebie-jeebies. Yet, his visits brighten my days.

“This here” points out someone or something.

It is an informal way to say “this” and refers to a specific person or object.

Other examples of its use include:

  • We are going fishing on this here boat.
  • I want to buy this here phone.
  • My family loves this here farm.

I usually hear this expression spoken in casual country conversations.

However, I have not heard it for a long time.

Whether I say “this” or “this here” matters less than the rest of my words.

Are they true and kind? Do they honor God? Like my frog friend, do they brighten someone’s day.

“The Lord detests the thoughts of the wicked, but gracious words are pure in his sight” (Proverbs 15:26 NIV).

Thanks to Catherine Nicholson for the suggestion.

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In the Sticks

In the Sticks

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In the Sticks-leaf-covered road through treesMany of us grew up in the sticks. We had to travel several miles to the closest town. Our travel time increased to reach a city. Some of us remain in the sticks or visit often.

In the sticks means in the country.

 It describes life in the middle of nowhere. Business usually involves plants and animals, not stores or factories.

People who hate country life describe it as:

  • Unsophisticated
  • Culturally backward

People who love country life call it:

  • Rustic
  • Back to nature

Nothing compares to country living.  

 Work is usually hard. However, the calmer, slower lifestyle makes such hard work worth it.

Our family loves our garden spot of the world. A few relatives remain where we grew up. Others live closer to modern conveniences … but not too close.

Whether we live in the sticks, visit when we can, or travel through them, we can all enjoy our time there.

Thanks to Janna Babak for the suggestion.

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It Don’t Make Me No Never Mind

It Don’t Make Me No Never Mind

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It Don't Make Me No Never Mind-Neapolitan ice cream cake with berries on top “Do you prefer ice cream, cake, or both?” “I’m leaving now. Is that okay?” “Mind if I change the station on TV?”  For all these questions, we might answer, “It don’t make me no never mind.” Of course, we don’t give that answer if we prefer correct grammar.

Other ways to say “It don’t make me no never mind” include:

  • It does not matter to me.
  • I don’t care.
  • It does not bother me.
  • Makes no difference to me.

It don’t make me no never mind means either choice is okay.

We have no strong feelings about a decision. It is six of one and half a dozen of another.

Many choices in life don’t matter.

If they don’t matter, we usually don’t care. Although many probably disagree, the following matter little:

  • House size
  • Car model
  • Clothing style

What difference will those make years from now?

Other choices matter a great deal.

How we choose could mean the difference in life or death. We never want to:

  • Abuse another person
  • Lie, cheat, or steal
  • Neglect someone in need

The results could last for generations. Not everyone will like our actions. However, right choices mean we must occasionally make waves.

May we always choose well when our choices matter most.

“Be careful to do what the Lord your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left” (Deuteronomy 5:32).

I don’t know its origin, but I think of this as a southern expression. Have you heard it used other places?

Thanks to Timothy Lewis for the suggestion. Image by Bernhard Mülhens from Pixabay.

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Two Shakes of a Lamb’s Tail

Two Shakes of a Lamb’s Tail

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Two Shakes of a Lamb's Tail--two lambsLambs are small and have short tails. I don’t know if that has anything to do with the origin of two shakes of a lamb’s tail. However, it makes sense to me.

Two shakes of a lamb’s tail means a short period of time.

We use the expression if we plan to do something quickly:

  • Work
  • School assignments
  • Home chores
  • Exercise

However, anything completed too quickly leads to problems.

Haste makes waste if we do a poor job. We frequently give a lick and a promise when we need to take one step at a time and do our job right.

Fast work is good. Correct work is better.

Moving too slowly also causes problems.

If we dislike what we do, we are tempted to put it off as long as possible.  We become slow as molasses starting and often slower finishing.

Whatever we do, whether fast or slow, let’s give our best.

“Careful planning puts you ahead in the long run; hurry and scurry puts you further behind” (Proverbs 21:5 MSG).

Thanks to Liz Gray for the suggestion. Image by Michael Grundmann from Pixabay.

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More than One Way to Skin a Cat

More than One Way to Skin a Cat

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More than One Way to Skin a Cat--child on playground barsMore than one way to skin a cat sounds cruel. We don’t want our cute, fur-covered pets to suffer.

However, many of us grew up climbing trees or playing on swing sets or horizontal bars. We learned to skin cats without a single pet around. We hung by our hands and lifted our feet and legs between our arms. Then we reversed that position.

More than one way to skin a cat means more than one way to reach a goal.

Simple examples include different ways to:

  • Bake a cake
  • Grow a garden
  • Study for a test

We learn and work based on our personal skills and interests.

  • I learn and work better with words.
  • My husband prefers math.

We figure out how to do our best work. Sometimes we do well and hit the bull’s eye. Other times our efforts fall short of what we hope.

Whatever our skills or our results, let’s aim for the best way to do whatever we do.

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives” (Colossians 1:9 NIV).

Thanks to Tillie Cowherd for the suggestion and to Karen Atwood for the photo.

Adventures in Fatherhood book coverCongratulations to Stephen Russell, whose name was drawn from my mailing list for a free copy of Adventures in Fatherhood by Carlton Hughes and Holland Webb.

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Pay the Fiddler

Pay the Fiddler

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Pay the Fiddler--fiddle in case with a money containerA friend’s father often said, “The one who dances has to pay the fiddler.” That makes sense. We live with the consequences of the choices we make.

To pay the fiddler means we suffer the results of what we say or do.

To pay the piper means the same. We use these expressions most often to describe the results of bad behavior. If we get in trouble, we get punished. Our choices force us to face the music.

The same truth applies to gardening: We reap what we sow.

  • Follow the wrong crowd — get in trouble.
  • Cheat on tests — fail to learn.
  • Hurt other people — lose their trust.

When we choose the right words and actions, we enjoy better results.

  • Follow the right examples — learn the best way to live.
  • Work as we should — grow in knowledge and abilities.
  • Treat others well — build trust in relationships.

Choose well to live well.

As 2020 begins, may we always choose the best. Happy New Year!

“Be sure your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23 KJV).

Thanks to Patty Cooper Emerson for the suggestion.

Do you have an expression you want explained? If so, please comment below.

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Out of Whack

Out of Whack

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Out of Whack-- dark, snow covered trees with sun shining throughSome days everything gets out of whack.

Nothing works right.

  • Snow and ice make travel treacherous.
  • The car won’t start.
  • Our laptop freezes.

We don’t feel well.

  • A cold keeps us coughing and sneezing.
  • Muscles ache.
  • Our head hurts.

Life gets crazy.

  • We have too much to do and no time to do it.
  • No one offers to help.
  • We see no hope for improvement.

Days out of whack put us down in the dumps. We become emotional wrecks and can’t get a grip.

Most of us face times like that.

 That’s life, but how do we deal with it?

We can:

  • Complain. That usually makes us and everyone around us feel worse.
  • Pretend nothing is wrong. As a result, we never make anything better.
  • Do the best we can. That way, something gets done.
  • Ask for help. People usually don’t know we need help, unless we tell them.
  • Pray for guidance and peace. Even if circumstances never change, our attitude can.

Out of the darkest days, let the light of God’s hope shine through.

“Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long” (Psalm 25:5 NIV).

Thanks to Darrin Jenkins for the suggestion.

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