Have you noticed how you can say terribly nasty things with a Southern accent - and it doesn't sound mean?

Hmm. All those adorable KKK slogans and speeches, for example?

@gailcalled lurve for that.

There seems to be a certain aggressive undertone in some areas of Georgia.

Like “squeal?”

Lynching statistics by state. The South rides again. (Georgia is number two, Mississippi is one. But they sure spoke with honey on their lips.)

http://www.statemaster.com/graph/cri_lyn_tot-crime-lynchings-total

Having family across The South, I’ve got to disagree.
@The_Compassionate_Heretic: you’ve got something there about Georgia.

@hungryhungryhortence
I support people in ATL and several of those people working there can be quite hostile yet quite subtle about it.

I need to install a web cam over there so everyone can see everyone else’s faces and then maybe everyone there as well as here may understand that we’re all, in fact, humans.

Sawyer has a southern accent, and he sure says some mean things…which do come across as mean.

You have to end it “bless his/her heart” and it’s all forgiven. “She is such an ugly woman, bless her heart.”

@gailcalled Have you even spent any time in the South?

@crisedwards: Yes. If I had said “No,” would that change the lynching statistics?

I heard that “bless your heart” is a known insult that means you’re stupid

Yes, it does sound nasty. But that’s because a few of my antecedents were Southern and I learned the code early.

“Oh, I know, darlin’, I know,” for example, means YouarethebiggestliarinsidefivecountiesandyouhavesomeNERVEtoshowyourfaceinfrontofdecentpeople!

ok ok – I admit – I saw “Steel Magnolias” a few days ago so that MAY have influenced me lol.
Quote:
“Well, you know what they say: if you don’t have anything nice to say about anybody, come sit by me!”

Oh wow.

@aprilsimnel
DANG! that’s some nasty shite

You know who knows Southern? David Cross. Yes, the nevernude knows Southern. Pick up any of his stand-up routines and he will go into all that stuff. He was raised in Atlanta, so he knows the sugar-coatin’ deal. Honey chile. Waaaal. In’t he just darlin’? Thelittlerapscallion.

He’s got a real purty mouth, bless his heart. Wow, that really does work!

@gailcalled – While I understand there are some very bad things that happen in the south, I don’t think it’s fair to generalize things. Not everyone in the south is pro-lynching, pro-hate crimes, or a card carrying member of the KKK. I’ve lived in the south, various parts, my entire life, and not once have I run into people that do these things. Yes, it happens and it’s horrible. I’m sure, though, if you go state-to-state, you can find horrific crimes if you spend some time looking for them. It gets tiresome hearing things like this about the south. As terrible as those statistics are, there are very good and positive things that happen in the south.

@KalWest – I think some things can slide by; however, it depends on the particular accent. There are a lot of differences in the southern accent. Charleston and Savannah bring people back to a more “southern belle” thought – slower, more drawn out. Then you can get the kind that is more harsh on your ears – twangy. Not really pleasant and no, things do not sound nice in the delivery. There is a one that is a bit more like what I have, it is more mellow, not so southern – a watered down version, I guess; however, if I get excited, I do get a bit more southern. I’m not sure if it’s pleasant in the delivery of not so nice things…my husband doesn’t always think it is, my daughter would argue the point, as well. My son – he’s 6, I’m fairly certain he’s not always paying attention!

If you just watched Steel Magnolias, southern is great for the next few days. I love that movie.

@cak
“I’m not crazy, I’ve just been in a very bad mood 40 years! ”
Love that movie lol

@Cak; I appreciate your thoughtful answer but was not making any sweeping generalizations about all southerner (as the querent did with the question about southern accents). I was specific about both the KKK and the lynching statistics. If the question had been about the delights that the south offers, I would answer very differently.

And,“tomorrow is another day.”

@KalWest – My favorite line is: “He’s so confused, he doesn’t know whether to wind his butt or scratch his watch!”

@gailcalled – I apologize for my snappy return. I had my fill of people and should have just let it go. It was one of those days, from start to finish.

@cak: From you, snappish is fine. Perennial camellias, magnolias, great birding, po’ boys, anti-bellum architecture, wrought iron, great-grandma’s Georgian silver…

Bourbon, Mint Juleps, barbecue, the Sazerac cocktail, Coca-Cola, country music (the real stuff that is), Delta blues, Dr. John…