63 Sayings You Learned From Your Southern Grandma

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

Southern Living

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

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Many Hands Make Light Work

Southern Living

Never underestimate a little help.

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Don’t Count Your Chickens Before They’ve Hatched

Southern Living

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

Southern Living

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

Southern Living

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

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A Stitch in Time Saves Nine

Southern Living

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

You Catch More Flies with Honey than with Vinegar

Southern Living

Kindness works. Try it.

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It Was Like Herding Cats

Southern Living

Have you ever tried to herd cats?

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One Man’s Trash Is Another Man’s Treasure

Southern Living

Also: Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

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The Squeaky Wheel Gets the Grease

Southern Living

The loudest problems receive all the attention.

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Don’t Judge a Book by Its Cover

Southern Living

Read a few pages first.

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The Early Bird Catches the Worm

Southern Living

Grandma is a proponent of proactivity.

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A Watched Pot Never Boils

Southern Living

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

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Too Many Cooks Spoil the Gravy

Southern Living

Collaboration is one thing. This phrase is another.

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A Penny Saved Is a Penny Earned

Southern Living

Don’t forget about that savings account.

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Don’t Put the Cart Before the Horse

Southern Living

First things first.

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Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

Southern Living

The jury’s still out on this one.

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Don’t Put All Your Eggs in One Basket

Southern Living

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

Southern Living

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

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A Rising Tide Lifts All Boats

Southern Living

No room for envy here.

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Make Hay While the Sun Shines

Southern Living

Use your time wisely.

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Beggars Can’t Be Choosers

Southern Living

Say “Thank you,” and move on.

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There’s No Accounting for Taste

Southern Living

Though Grandma’s taste is impeccable.

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A Thing of Beauty Is a Joy Forever

Southern Living

This phrase is from John Keats’ Endymion.

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Goodness Gracious

Southern Living

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

Southern Living

Beware the useless.

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Birds of a Feather Flock Together

Southern Living

Habit, we guess.

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Never Look a Gift Horse in the Mouth

Southern Living

A “thank you” will suffice.

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People Who Live in Glass Houses Shouldn’t Throw Stones

Southern Living

Because those walls aren’t shatterproof. Or opaque.

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

Southern Living

Try and try again.

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A Trouble Shared Is a Trouble Halved

Southern Living

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

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Don’t Throw the Baby Out with the Bathwater

Southern Living

Keep what you treasure, let the rest go.

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An Apple a Day Keeps the Doctor Away

Southern Living

Healthy eating, all the way.

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Home Is Where the Heart Is

Southern Living

And don’t you forget it.

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

Southern Living

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

Southern Living

Grandma knows. She always knows.

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If It Ain’t Broke, Don’t Fix It

Southern Living

If it works, leave it alone.

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There’s No Use Crying Over Spilt Milk

Southern Living

So mop it up and move along.

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You’re a Day Late and a Dollar Short

Southern Living

It’s not ideal.

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

Southern Living

‘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

Southern Living

Grandma doesn’t have time for this.

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Fortune Favors the Brave

Southern Living

Go boldly, Grandma says.

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It Doesn’t Cut the Mustard

Southern Living

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

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Confession Is Good for the Soul

Southern Living

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

Southern Living

That’s quite a lot, indeed.

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Strike While the Iron Is Hot

Southern Living

Seize the day!

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Share and Share Alike

Southern Living

Divide equally, and everyone will be happy.

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The Apple Never Falls Far from the Tree

Southern Living

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

Southern Living

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

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As I Live and Breathe

Southern Living

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

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You’re Preaching to the Choir

Southern Living

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

Southern Living

Grandma would not recommend buying something sight unseen.

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You’re Making a Mountain out of a Molehill

Southern Living

Grandma’s good at offering much-needed perspective.

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Any Job Worth Doing Is Worth Doing Well

Southern Living

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

Southern Living

You can always count on Grandma to be realistic.

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Every Dog Has Its Day

Southern Living

Good fortune comes to everyone eventually.

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If It Had Been a Snake, It Would Have Bitten You

Southern Living

Keep your eyes—and wits—about you.

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You’re the Cat’s Meow

Southern Living

High praise.

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It Doesn’t Amount to a Hill of Beans

Southern Living

Again, she’s a pro at offering perspective, which is one of the many reasons we love her.

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Hurry Up, We’re Burning Daylight

Southern Living

AKA: “It’s time to go!” This is how Granny lights a fire under the kids, grandkids, and Grandpa.

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What’s Good for the Goose Is Good for the Gander

Southern Living

If it’s appropriate for one, surely it’s appropriate for the other too.

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Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way

Southern Living

Encouragement, Grandma style.

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Bless Your Heart

Southern Living

Always and forever.

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