Southerners, especially Mississippians, have our own language. When I went away to the University of Southern Mississippi, non-residents of Mississippi were always looking at me sideways when I said certain things. For example, I say “y’all” a lot. In my defense, saying “you all” takes too much time. Maybe I’m just lazy, but who cares? I love the word!
Here are a few more examples of words that we often like to run together, and some we cut short. A word of advice: Do not use these words heavily when you go on a job interview or to meet your boyfriend or girlfriend’s parents.
Prolly – probably; I’ll prolly go to the store in the morning.
Gonna – going to; What are you gonna do?
Wanna – want to; You wanna go to the mall?
Fento – fixing to: I’m fento go. Also:
Finna – getting ready to; He finna wash the dishes.
Lemme – let me; Lemme see it.
Gimme – give me; Gimme some of the chips.
Iono – I don’t know; Iono, what about you?
Thang – thing; Put that thang back.
Toma – tomorrow; I’ll be in class toma.
Lil – little; I just wanna lil bit.
Yo – your; Did you wash yo car?
Ain’t got no – don’t have any; I ain’t got no money!
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The Mississippi Free Press produced this story through the MFP Solutions Lab, supported by the Solutions Journalism Network. This series digs into Mississippi’s systemic issues and sheds light on responses to them in other communities. Beyond just reporting on problems, these stories interrogate their causes and inspect potential solutions.