Florida Cracker Expressions

Fixin to: preparing to do something. "Harvey is a fixin to repair that old truck."

Bear Caught: Is when you get overheated and you cant breath. As though you had been running from a bear and got caught. Another word for sunstroke!

Hog Caught: Is when you get overheated and get cooled off to fast and pass out.

Slides: Another name for shoes. "Put your slides on before you go outside."

Mash: Press. "Do ya want me to mash that button for ya?"

Croakersack: Another name for a burlap bag. Since dry goods were shipped in burlap bags, they were put to use once empty. They were used by frog hunters to hold the frogs (croakers) while giggin (spearing). They were also used as bedding when the bags were stuffed with spanish moss.

Stowed up: Stiff muscles. "Gator took to the bed for three days and got stowed up."

Slappin: The sound of the rain hitting the roof or windows of a house.

Youngin's: Another name for children.

Learnin': Another name for education or as it was pronounced: ed-u-ma-cation "That boy never did have no learnin!"

Curds: Are the nasty little dirt beads that form around your neck!

Hoopers: Are Whooping Cranes (migratory birds) "Did you see those hoopers, there was a whole mess of them down by the creek."

Blowouts: Are holes in clothing especially the knee or seat of the pants.

Pot Liquor: Liquid left in the pot after cooking collard or mustard greens. The greens would be eaten, but the liquid would be left in the pot on the stove and drank the next day. Some of the elders thought it had medical properties.

Breathers: Are holes in your shoes. "I see you have your breathers on!"

Get your guzzle: Another word for choaking. "Did that water get your guzzle, baby?"

"Get the dirt dobbers out of your ears": listen up or pay attention!

Dawg: Man's best friend..a dog!

"It's hot enought to scauld a dawg.": Its so-o-o hot, even the dog will get sunburned!

Cut the fool: To act silly. "Bobby was cuttin' the fool in class and got into big time trouble."

This is just a few of the expressions I have collected. Will add more in the near future.

©sawgrass

1997-1998-1999

Thanks, Geocities!