9 Comments
User's avatar
Robert McBride's avatar

Great stuff, John! My mother was from Lancaster Ohio and my father from Logan Ohio. Most of these expressions are quite familiar to me.

John Gunyou's avatar

Small world, Bob! My Mother's family settled Nelsonville in 1821, and operated the first trading post on the Hocking River. Six generations lived there, and I was considering OU, until the Academy intervened.

Susan Gunyou Rains's avatar

Took me a few days but couldn't let this go!

I'm always saying, "Isn't it terrible when your mother is RIGHT!!" Turns out there IS scientific evidence suppoorting the "blood rushing to the stomach theory" she was always telling us about. And there certainly is very good support for the fact that you lose "MOST OF YOUR HEAT OFF THE TOP OF YOUR HEAD!! This really is true. That's why newborn babies wear their little stocking caps!!!

There are a few more words I came up with. Boosh-as in we had two presidents by that last name.

"I'm so mad I could just SPIT!"

Mother also used the word Dip to describe a Nerd.

I can't image the deprived childhood some kids were subjected to without these colorful words to describe it/them.

It seems as though I spent most of my childhood being an "Ungrateful Welp"

And pulling shenanigans.

Addison Piper's avatar

Wonderful! Maybe. Grass was greener on the other side of the fence?

Sandy's avatar

These are outstanding and need to be preserved.... as you have! My kids will always remember my morning warnings when they headed out to school: "Remember the bridge decks are icy!" Winter, summer, spring or fall.... a general warning about the dangers of life!

Deborah Lincoln's avatar

My mom was born in Sutton, West Virginia (and went to Ohio U, too), and I spent some time with your mom, but I haven't heard a lot of these expressions. And I find it hard to imagine your mom saying "shit," but given the trouble we girl scouts gave her, she probably said it often.

John Gunyou's avatar

She did! My Dad was the parent who never swore.

Louise Segreto's avatar

Fabulous!

My grandma was Sicilian and I can’t post her favorite sayings 🤣

Marty's avatar

Really got a kick out of this one :) My Dad was born in Omah, W.Va. which is close to Bluefield and had much the same lexicon:)