Tennessee has a lot going for it — country music, smoky mountains, and southern hospitality. But what really sets it apart is the way folks talk.
If you’ve spent any time in the Volunteer State, you’ve probably heard a few sayings that made you stop and think, “Did they really just say that?” Yes, they did. And it probably made perfect sense to everyone else in the room.
These colorful expressions are part of what makes Tennessee charm so unforgettable. They’re funny, clever, and often downright genius in how they get a point across. Here are 17 hilarious sayings you’ll only hear in Tennessee — and what they really mean.
1. “That dog won’t hunt.”
Translation: That idea isn’t going to work.
Used when someone suggests a plan that’s clearly doomed from the start.
2. “He’s all hat and no cattle.”
Translation: All talk, no action.
Usually aimed at someone who brags but never backs it up.
3. “You can’t polish a turd.”
Translation: No matter how much you try to dress it up, bad is bad.
Blunt? Yes. Wrong? Nope.
4. “She’s madder than a wet hen.”
Translation: She’s extremely angry.
Because if you’ve ever seen a soaked chicken… they don’t take it well.
5. “He couldn’t pour water out of a boot with instructions on the heel.”
Translation: He’s not very smart.
A polite Southern way to say someone isn’t the brightest bulb.
6. “Busier than a one-legged cat in a sandbox.”
Translation: Extremely busy — maybe even too busy.
Also just a mental image you can’t unsee.
7. “She’s got more nerve than a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs.”
Translation: She’s either really bold — or real nervous.
Context is key here.
8. “Grinnin’ like a possum eatin’ a sweet tater.”
Translation: Smiling in a big, goofy, overly happy way.
Often said about someone who’s clearly up to something.
9. “He’s slower than molasses in January.”
Translation: Really, really slow.
Cold molasses moves at the speed of regret.
10. “That ain’t worth two squirts of duck poop.”
Translation: It has zero value.
Creative, Southern, and just a bit graphic.
11. “If brains were leather, he wouldn’t have enough to saddle a junebug.”
Translation: Someone isn’t the sharpest tool in the shed.
A classic insult dressed in country charm.
12. “Fixing to.”
Translation: About to do something.
As in, “I’m fixin’ to head to the store.” Doesn’t need fixing — just finishing.
13. “You look rode hard and put up wet.”
Translation: You look rough or tired.
Comes from how not to treat a horse — or a human, for that matter.
14. “Don’t go getting too big for your britches.”
Translation: Don’t get cocky.
A warning that you’re getting a little too full of yourself.
15. “Bless your heart.”
Translation: Depends. Could mean sympathy, sarcasm, or “you poor thing.”
Often said sweetly — but not always kindly.
16. “You can’t make chicken salad out of chicken poop.”
Translation: You can’t turn a bad situation into something great.
Some things just can’t be saved, no matter how hard you try.
17. “That boy’s three bricks shy of a load.”
Translation: Not all there mentally.
Another Southern classic that somehow feels less mean when said with a drawl.
Tennessee sayings are more than just funny one-liners — they’re little nuggets of Southern wisdom, humor, and culture all rolled into one. Whether you’re talking about someone’s intelligence, their attitude, or just the weather, folks in Tennessee have a creative way to say it.
So next time you hear someone “fixin’ to do somethin’” or “grinnin’ like a possum,” you’ll know exactly what they mean — and probably get a good chuckle out of it too.
SOURCES
- (https://www.reddit.com/r/Tennessee/comments/josz23/ive_learned_that_tennessee_has_its_own_dialect/)
- (https://servingupsouthern.com/50-of-the-best-southern-sayings/)
- (https://www.southernliving.com/southern-sayings-6534958)
