The culture of the Southeastern United States is widely regarded as an iconic part of what it means to be an American.
However, many other terms frequently used by southerners may leave some northerners feeling lost or confused. As out-of-state student enrollment, especially from New Jersey, continues to increase, The Tiger deemed it essential to develop a collection of terms that students may need to make sense of their new environment.
| Southern Term | Northern Meaning |
| Y’all | You guys |
| (Down/Over) Yonder | Over there |
| Fixin’ to | Going to do something |
| Bless your heart | You’re being silly (and you don’t even know it) |
| Honey/Sweetheart | A compliment, not typically used sarcastically |
| Reckon | To think |
| Let me let you go | Said when trying to end or leave conversation |
| Britches | Pants |
| Three sheets to the wind | Drunk |
| Quit being ugly | Stop being rude |
| Dolled up | Dressed up |
| Buggy/Buggie | Shopping cart |
| Coke | Literally any soft drink, no matter what brand |
| Sweet tea | Treason |
