DEAR ABBY: It gripes me that there's a continuing tendency in the movies and on television to misrepresent the South. Our part of the country seems to be a favorite lampoon target. If we can't laugh at ourselves, we have no right to laugh at anyone. But there are several common portrayals of Southern life that sho' 'nuff rile me!
A common mistake that's made by actors and actresses impersonating Southerners is to use the term "y'all," while speaking to and about only one person. Abby, everyone should know that "y'all" is a contraction of "you all," and obviously is plural. If we say "y'all" to an individual, we are referring to that person and at least one other.
We realize y'all like our accent, and we appreciate it. But a fake Southern accent is like fingernails on a chalkboard. Do it right or don't do it! Hire a true Southerner to advise.
We really can pronounce the letter "r" at the end of a word. We seldom use the phrase "li'l ol'." Few of us go by a double first name, such as "Jim Bob" or "Billy John." Some of us have never tasted a mint julep or sat in a magnolia tree. A number of us regularly wear shoes, at least in winter, and hardly anyone wears overalls anymore (not to church, anyway). Indoor plumbing is almost common now, and inbreeding is actually frowned upon in most circles.
I heard of a woman not far from Birmingham who scored above average on an IQ test! Not to brag, but I, myself, can correctly identify either of those letters three times out of four! Some Southerners don't even like grits. Usually, such people are accepted by society anyhow, except at really important affairs.
I hope this helps you Yankees, etc., to understand us ignorant Southerners a little better. After all, we can't all be fortunate enough to be born north of the Mason-Dixon line. So go ahead and laugh at us. But please do it with respect. Remember that we're trying to understand you, too. And we often do. Except when you talk.
Y'all come! -- BAMA BUBBA
DEAR BAMA BUBBA: You have stated your case very well -- and you have an excellent sense of humor. I'm reminded of the lyric from an old Phil Harris song: "And that's what I like about the South ..."