63 Sayings You Learned From Your Southern Grandma

By Southern Living

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Our mothers and grandmothers have given us so much. They’ve passed down their recipes, their china patterns, and their parenting tips, for starters. But we’ve just realized—they’ve passed down their vocabularies too. We have inherited their styles, their heirlooms, and more than a few of their favorite sayings as well. And we’re beginning to understand what a treasure that truly is. From adages and proverbs to their favorite Southern turns of phrase, these ladies sure do have a way with words. Have you heard any of these classic phrases? Surely your grandma has told you to eat an apple a day. Or perhaps she mentioned that “pretty is as pretty does.” Maybe you’ve heard that “still waters run deep.” She has almost certainly exclaimed “Goodness gracious!” (And, of course, we have too.) We heard all of these adages growing up, and we couldn’t help but pick up a few ourselves. However, we’re starting to think that these words are passed down to us like our hair color and height. They feel so right—they must be in our DNA. Give your grandma a call, and you’re sure to hear at least one of these sayings before you say goodbye. What sayings does your grandma always use?

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You’re the Bee’s Knees

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If Grandma’s calling you the “bee’s knees,” you must be doing something right.

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Many Hands Make Light Work

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Never underestimate a little help.

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Don’t Count Your Chickens Before They’ve Hatched

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When Grandma offers this advice, she wants to ensure that we don’t count on something that may not happen.

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A Rolling Stone Gathers No Moss

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This classic proverb either encourages action instead of standing still or reminds that it's hard to put down roots when you're moving.

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Pretty Is As Pretty Does

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Made famous by Forrest Gump, this phrase reminds us to look a little deeper.

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A Stitch in Time Saves Nine

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A little effort now may save you lots of effort later.

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You'll Catch More Flies with Honey Than with Vinegar

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Kindness works. Try it.

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It Was Like Herding Cats

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Have you ever tried to herd cats?

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One Man’s Trash Is Another Man’s Treasure

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Also: Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

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The Squeaky Wheel Gets the Grease

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The loudest problems receive all the attention.

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Don’t Judge a Book by Its Cover

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Read a few pages first.

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The Early Bird Catches the Worm

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Grandma is a proponent of proactivity.

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A Watched Pot Never Boils

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Take your mind off things. The time will pass anyway.

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Too Many Cooks Spoil the Gravy

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Collaboration is one thing. This phrase is another.

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A Penny Saved Is a Penny Earned

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Don’t forget about that savings account.

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Don’t Put the Cart Before the Horse

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First things first.

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Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

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The jury’s still out on this one.

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Don’t Put All Your Eggs in One Basket

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Another reminder to be measured about what you do and how you do it.

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You Can Lead a Horse to Water, But You Can’t Make It Drink

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There’s only so much you can do (but do what you can anyway).

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A Rising Tide Lifts All Boats

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No room for envy here.

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Make Hay While the Sun Shines

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Use your time wisely.

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Beggars Can’t Be Choosers

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Say “Thank you,” and move on.

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There’s No Accounting for Taste

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Though Grandma’s taste is impeccable.

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A Thing of Beauty Is a Joy Forever

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This phrase is from John Keats’ Endymion.

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Goodness Gracious

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It’s been said every day, all day, for as long as we can remember.

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Don’t Take Any Wooden Nickels

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Beware the useless.

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Birds of a Feather Flock Together

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Habit, we guess.

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Never Look a Gift Horse in the Mouth

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A “thank you” will suffice.

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People Who Live in Glass Houses Shouldn’t Throw Stones

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Because those walls aren’t shatterproof. Or opaque.

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You Can’t Make an Omelet Without Breaking a Few Eggs

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Try and try again.

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A Trouble Shared Is a Trouble Halved

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Don’t underestimate the power of a good friend’s ear.

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Don’t Throw the Baby Out with the Bathwater

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Keep what you treasure, let the rest go.

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An Apple a Day Keeps the Doctor Away

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Healthy eating, all the way.

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Home Is Where the Heart Is

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And don’t you forget it.

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Early to Bed and Early to Rise Makes You Healthy, Wealthy, and Wise

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A gentle reminder that Grandma still cares about your bedtime—and general wellbeing. This phrase is attributed to Benjamin Franklin.

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This Isn’t My First Rodeo

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Grandma knows. She always knows.

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If It Ain’t Broke, Don’t Fix It

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If it works, leave it alone.

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There’s No Use Crying Over Spilt Milk

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So mop it up and move along.

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You’re a Day Late and a Dollar Short

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It’s not ideal.

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I Love You a Bushel and a Peck and a Hug Around the Neck

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‘Cause she’s Grandma, that’s why. (And because she still listens to this Doris Day tune.)

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You’re Barking up the Wrong Tree

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Grandma doesn’t have time for this.

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Fortune Favors the Brave

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Go boldly, Grandma says.

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It Doesn’t Cut the Mustard

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Whatever it is, it is not quite up to par.

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Confession Is Good for the Soul

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She already knows anyway—somehow—so you should go ahead and come clean.

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More than You Can Shake a Stick at

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That’s quite a lot, indeed.

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Strike While the Iron Is Hot

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Seize the day!

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Share and Share Alike

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Divide equally, and everyone will be happy.

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The Apple Never Falls Far from the Tree

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Whether it’s attitude or style, we get it from our mamas (and grandmamas).

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There’s More Than One Way to Skin a Cat

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If at first you don’t succeed, there’s surely another strategy to try.

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As I Live and Breathe

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If Grandma’s surprised, you’ll hear this immediately.

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You’re Preaching to the Choir

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You’re working too hard to convince people who are already on board.

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Don’t Buy a Pig in a Poke

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Grandma would not recommend buying something sight unseen.

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You’re Making a Mountain out of a Molehill

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Grandma’s good at offering much-needed perspective.

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Any Job Worth Doing Is Worth Doing Well

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She taught us this, and we took it to heart.

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You Can’t Make a Silk Purse out of a Sow’s Ear

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You can always count on Grandma to be realistic.

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Every Dog Has Its Day

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Good fortune comes to everyone eventually.