These are some of them most common (and not so common) Southern slang terms I hear in Arkansas.
Ain't
Pronunciation: 'Ant
Etymology: contraction of are not
Date: 1778
1 : am not : are not : is not
2 : have not : has not
3 : do not : does not : did not -- used in some varieties of Black English
Air-Up
Function: Verb
To pressurize or inflate. Example: "Air-up your car tires before you go on a long trip."
A larking
Function: Verbal phrase
Originates from the word "lark" which means to engage in harmless fun or mischief. To go a larking means to play a prank or joke on someone.
All y'all
Etymology: Intensive form of y'all
This usage states "you all" more emphatically. For example, saying "I know y'all," would mean that one knows a group of people; saying, "I know all y'all" would mean that one knows the members of the group individually.
Arkansas toothpick
Function: Noun
A large knife.
Arkansawyer, Arkansan, Arkie
Function: Adjective or noun
1: A resident or native of Arkansas.
2: Referring to a resident or native of Arkansas.
Bowed Up
Function: Colloquialism
Marked by impatience or ill humor . Refers to the way a snake bows up his head before he strikes.
Bread Basket
Function: Colloquialism
Stomach.
Cattywampus
Function: Adjective
Askew. Example: The storm knocked the boat cattywampus and it started to take on water.
Chief Cook and Bottle Washer
Function: Colloquialism
A person capable of doing many things.
Darn tootin'
Function: Colloquialism
For sure. Correct. "You're darn tootin', that is oil."
Egg on
Function: Verbal phrase
To urge to do something. Example: "He only did it because the crowd egged him on."
Figure
Function: Verb
To calculate, consider, conclude or decide. Example: "He hadn't figured on winning the lottery."
Fit As A Fiddle
Function: Colloquialism
In good shape, healthy.
Fit to be tied
Function: Colloquialism
Angry.
Fixin'
Function: Verb
To get set : be on the verge Example: We're fixin' to leave soon.
Function: Noun
Customary accompaniments. Example: We had a turkey dinner with all the fixins.
Frog Gig
Function: Noun
A pole used to spear frogs for cooking.
Function: Verb
The act of hunting frogs for meat. Often called "frog gigging."
