63 Sayings You Learned From Your Southern Grandma

Grandma Sayings
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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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Early Bird Catches the Worm
Southern Living

Grandma is a proponent of proactivity.

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A Watched Pot Never Boils

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

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

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

Don’t Put the Cart Before the Horse
Southern Living

First things first.

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Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

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

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

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

A Rising Tide Lifts All Boats
Southern Living

No room for envy here.

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Make Hay While the Sun Shines

Make Hay While the Sun Shines
Southern Living

Use your time wisely.

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Beggars Can't Be Choosers

Beggars Can’t Be Choosers
Southern Living

Say "Thank you," and move on.

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There's No Accounting for Taste

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

A thing of beauty is a joy forever
Southern Living

This phrase is from John Keats' Endymion.

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Goodness Gracious

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

Don’t Take Any Wooden Nickels
Southern Living

Beware the useless.

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Birds of a Feather Flock Together

Birds of a Feather Flock Together
Southern Living

Habit, we guess.

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Never Look a Gift Horse in the Mouth

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

You’re Barking up the Wrong Tree
Southern Living

Grandma doesn't have time for this.

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Fortune Favors the Brave

Fortune Favors the Brave
Southern Living

Go boldly, Grandma says.

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It Doesn't Cut the Mustard

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

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

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

Strike While the Iron Is Hot
Southern Living

Seize the day!

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Share and Share Alike

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

You’re the Cat’s Meow
Southern Living

High praise.

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It Doesn't Amount to a Hill of Beans

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

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

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

Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way
Southern Living

Encouragement, Grandma style.

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Bless Your Heart

Bless Your Heart
Southern Living

Always and forever.

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