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Glite Dictionary
🗣️ A southern word 🤝 A southern custom
southernism

southernism

9.3
A custom or way of behaving common in the southern United States
  • noun
  • /ˈsʌðərnɪzəm/
  • US
translation icon : costumbre sureña
  • A common southernism is saying 'y'all' instead of 'you all.'

Examples

  • His gentle manners were a classic southernism that set him apart from his northern colleagues.

  • The writer's novel is full of southernism, both in dialogue and in attitudes toward family and tradition.

  • He explained the southernism of always greeting neighbors, no matter the time of day.

  • Many southernisms reflect the region's unique culture.

  • A common southernism is saying 'fixin' to' when discussing future plans.

  • The southernism of hospitality is evident in how warmly guests are welcomed.

  • Using the term 'coke' to refer to any soft drink is a notable southernism.

Synonyms

southern charm
vssouthernism
  • US
1 3.2

A warm, friendly, polite way people act in the southern United States

is about attitudes customs or expressions rather than just pleasant hospitality
southernness
vssouthernism
6.6

The quality of being from the south, shown in accent, food, or climate

is about attitudes customs or expressions typical of people from the US south

Surface Forms

southernism singular
southernisms plural

Morphology

southernism = southern (transparent) = south + ern + ism

The adjective 'southern' is transparently derived from 'south' + '-ern', and adding '-ism' yields a noun for a regional characteristic.

Etymology

The word southernism comes from southern (from south, 'the direction') and the part -ism ('a custom or way'), so it can mean a 'southern habit or attitude'. That's why a southernism can be a custom, manner, or expression typical of people from the southern United States.