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Quizzes > Literature & Language > English & Grammar

Southern vs Northern Words Quiz: Test Your Dialect Skills!

Take our southern slang quiz and northern words challenge - am I southern or northern?

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art quiz illustration testing southern vs northern slang and vocab skills on teal background

This southern vs northern words quiz helps you spot which region your word choices match - South or North - and see how you handle everyday slang. Answer quick questions, learn a couple new terms, and enjoy a result you can share. For more practice, try another slang quiz .

Which term is commonly used in the Southern US to refer to a carbonated soft drink?
Pop
Soda
Cola
Coke
In much of the Southern United States, 'Coke' has become a generic term for any carbonated soft drink, regardless of brand. Even though it originates from the Coca-Cola Company, its usage as a blanket term is a hallmark of Southern dialect. Other regions are more likely to say 'soda' or 'pop'. .
Which pronoun do speakers in the Southern US often use as the plural of 'you'?
y'all
you'uns
you guys
youse
The term 'y'all' is widely used across the Southern United States as the plural form of 'you.' It provides a simple way to address more than one person and has become a defining feature of Southern speech. Linguists note its prevalence in everyday conversation. .
Which term is most commonly used in the Northern US for a sweet carbonated beverage?
Coke
Fizzy drink
Soda
Pop
In the Northern United States, 'soda' is the predominant term for carbonated soft drinks, especially in the Northeast and urban areas. This contrasts with other regions where 'pop' or 'coke' may be used generically. Regional surveys confirm 'soda' as the Northern favorite. .
Which term do people in the Southern US typically use for a shopping cart when grocery shopping?
Trolley
Basket
Buggy
Carriage
In many parts of the South, shoppers refer to a shopping cart as a 'buggy.' This term has historic roots but remains in everyday use. Other regions are more likely to say 'shopping cart' or 'trolley.' .
In Southern dialect, what does the phrase 'fixing to' mean?
Starting an argument
Eating a large meal
Planning to do something
Repairing something
The phrase 'fixing to' in Southern American English means 'about to' or 'planning to' do something. It's a future-oriented construction rather than indicating any physical repair. This usage is well documented in regional dictionaries. .
In Southern usage, if someone says they have a 'heap' of work, what do they mean?
An unnamed object
A lot or large amount
A small amount
A moderate amount
In Southern English, 'a heap' colloquially means 'a great deal' or 'a lot.' It's a usage that dates back centuries and remains common in everyday speech. While 'heap' elsewhere may refer simply to a pile, in the South it carries the sense of abundance. .
What does the term 'yonder' mean in Southern dialect?
Everywhere
Nearby
There or over there
Here
'Yonder' in Southern speech means 'over there' or 'at a distance.' It conveys a sense of pointing out location without needing exact distance. Though somewhat archaic elsewhere, it's still widely understood in the South. .
In much of the Southern US, what is the common term for the midday meal?
Supper
Lunch
Brunch
Dinner
Many Southerners refer to the midday meal as 'dinner' and the evening meal as 'supper.' This traditional usage persists in rural and urban areas alike. Other regions typically call the noon meal 'lunch.' .
What implication does the phrase 'bless your heart' often carry in Southern conversation?
A genuine prayer
A farewell
An invitation to dine
A sign of irritation or pity
While 'bless your heart' can express genuine sympathy, it's frequently used to convey pity or gentle condescension. Context and tone tell you whether it's sincere or subtly critical. It remains one of the most recognizable Southern idioms. .
In Northern US, which phrase is commonly used as the plural form of 'you'?
y'all
you alls
yinz
you guys
In many Northern and Midwestern areas, people use 'you guys' to address a group, regardless of gender. This usage has become widespread in casual conversation. While 'y'all' is prominent in the South, 'you guys' dominates the North. .
In Southern slang, what does 'cattywampus' (or 'catawampus') mean?
Extremely large
Sleepy
Very organized
Askew or positioned diagonally
'Cattywampus' (also spelled 'catawampus') means something that is skewed, askew, or positioned diagonally. It's a colorful Southern term that adds vivid imagery to speech. Its quirky sound has made it popular in other regions too. .
When someone says 'hush your mouth' in the South, they are telling you to:
Eat something
Leave the house
Speak louder
Be quiet or stop talking
'Hush your mouth' is a Southern colloquialism meaning 'be quiet' or 'stop talking.' It's often used playfully among friends or more sternly when someone is chattering. The phrase remains firmly rooted in regional speech. .
In Southern US dialect, what does a 'holler' refer to when speaking of geography?
A hunting dog
A loud shout
A small valley or ravine
A thunderstorm
In the South, 'holler' (from 'hollow') refers to a small valley or ravine, especially in mountainous areas. This regional pronunciation and meaning distinguish it from the verb 'holler,' meaning to shout. It's a key feature of Appalachian and Southern topographical speech. .
In Southern dialect, a 'poke' often means:
A fishing pole
A small push
A type of dance
A sack or bag
Southern speakers may refer to a 'poke' meaning a bag or sack, such as in 'a poke of corn meal.' This usage dates back to earlier English but persists regionally. It's an example of how everyday objects get unique regional terms. .
In Southern American English, to 'tump over' something means:
To fill
To throw over distances
To tighten
To tip or overturn
To 'tump over' means to tip or overturn something, often used in expressions like 'Don't tump over that pail.' This playful verb is widely recognized in Southern speech. It illustrates the region's tendency to use vivid, standalone verbs for everyday actions. .
In some Northern US dialects, the word 'davenport' refers to what piece of furniture?
Dining table
Chest of drawers
TV stand
Sofa or couch
'Davenport' is an older term that in some Northern and Midwestern regions refers to a sofa or couch. Though less common today, it appears in historical and regional literature. Its use highlights how furniture names can vary across US dialects. .
What does 'pitter-patter' or 'pitty-pat' refer to in Southern weather descriptions?
A heavy rain
A sudden downpour
A light, steady rain or drizzle
Hail
'Pitter-patter' or colloquially 'pitty-pat' describes the sound and sensation of a light, steady drizzle. Southern speakers often use it to paint a gentle image of rainfall. Its onomatopoeic nature makes it evocative in regional storytelling. .
In Northern US slang, ordering a 'forty' usually means you are asking for:
A 40-minute bus ride
A $40 meal
A size 40 coat
A 40-ounce bottle of malt liquor
A 'forty' refers to a 40-ounce bottle of malt liquor, a term that emerged in urban Northern and Midwestern areas. It became part of youth and street culture in the late 20th century. The slang persists in certain subcultures and regions. .
In some Northern urban dialects, the contraction 'jeet?' stands for:
Are you going?
Have you heard?
Did you eat?
Will you eat?
The phrase 'jeet?' is a rapid contraction of 'Did you eat?' commonly heard in casual Northern urban speech. It illustrates how everyday questions can compress into slang forms. This feature is especially common in informal settings. .
In certain Northern US regions, what does the word 'bubbler' commonly mean?
A bubble gum machine
A small soda fountain
A steam kettle
A water fountain
In parts of Wisconsin and New England, a 'bubbler' is the local term for a water fountain or drinking fountain. This regional term dates back to early 20th-century branding. Outside those areas, most people say 'water fountain.' .
In Southern speech, calling something 'plumb' tired means it is:
Barely
Slightly
Unusually
Utterly or completely
In Southern dialect, 'plumb' is an adverb meaning 'completely' or 'entirely,' as in 'plumb tired.' This usage is well-attested in literature and speech. It emphasizes totality rather than partial degree. .
The interjection 'ope' often used in the Midwest and Northern US typically expresses:
Excitement
Greeting
Apology or surprise, like 'oops' or 'excuse me'
Anger
'Ope' is a friendly interjection common in the Upper Midwest and parts of the North that conveys mild surprise or apology, similar to 'oops' or 'excuse me.' It's often heard when someone nearly bumps another person. This little word has become a regional hallmark. .
In Southern American English, the phrase 'I reckon' is equivalent to saying:
I regret
I'll bring something
I agree completely
I guess or I think
'I reckon' in Southern English means 'I suppose' or 'I think.' It reflects a thoughtful or tentative stance. The phrase has Old English roots but remains strong in regional speech. .
In historical Northern US railroad slang, what was a 'gandy dancer'?
A passenger inspector
A track maintenance worker
A safety official
A ticket seller
A 'gandy dancer' was a colloquial term for early railroad track maintenance workers in the Northern United States. The name likely comes from the Gandy Tool Company and the rhythmic way crews worked together. It's a colorful example of occupational slang. .
In Southern expletive slang, the word 'tarnation' is used to mean:
Damnation or damn
A dance hall
A small barn
A type of stew
The term 'tarnation' is a minced oath used in Southern dialects as a euphemism for 'damnation' or 'damn.' It originated in the 19th century to avoid direct profanity while still expressing strong emotion. The word remains a vivid example of regional expletives. .
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify key regional terms -

    Recognize distinctive southern words and northern vocabulary by exploring examples featured in the southern vs northern words quiz.

  2. Analyze dialect alignment -

    Examine your quiz responses to see whether your slang usage aligns more with Dixie or Yankee traditions.

  3. Compare linguistic nuances -

    Contrast charming southern lingo with classic northern terms to appreciate the unique flavors of each dialect.

  4. Assess your dialect identity -

    Determine if you lean toward "y'all" or "you guys" and decide "am I southern or northern?" based on your results.

  5. Apply regional slang confidently -

    Incorporate new southern or northern words into everyday conversation, boosting your dialect-savvy skills.

  6. Evaluate vocabulary growth -

    Track improvements in your slang and vocab skills by retaking the free southern vs northern words quiz over time.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Lexical Variation -

    Southern English often uses "y'all," whereas Northern speakers typically say "you guys" or "you all," as cataloged in the Dictionary of American Regional English (DARE). Other regional distinctions include "pop" (Midwest) versus "soda" (Northeast) and "coke" (South) versus "soft drink" (North). Try the mnemonic "Y-A-L-L = You All's Lovely Lingo" to remember the Southern form when taking the southern vs northern words quiz.

  2. Phonological Shifts -

    The Southern Vowel Shift features diphthong raising (e.g., pin pronounced near "peen"), while the Northern Cities Vowel Shift rotates vowels like the TRAP vowel farther back in the mouth (Labov et al., Atlas of North American English). These phonological changes are key to distinguishing accents in our southern vs northern words quiz. Visualize a clock-face for vowels: Southern hours move upward, Northern hours spin counterclockwise to remember each shift.

  3. Morphosyntactic Patterns -

    Double modals such as "might could" are characteristic of Southern English but rare in Northern dialects (Linguistic Society of America reports). Northern speakers tend to adhere to Standard American English auxiliaries without doubling. Group dialect-specific constructions - like Southern "fixin' to" for "about to" - together for quicker recall.

  4. Pragmatic & Discourse Markers -

    Regional discourse markers can signal politeness and affiliation: Southerners might say "bless your heart" or preface statements with "well," while Northerners favor direct markers like "you know" (Journal of Sociolinguistics). These pragmatic cues shape conversational tone in our southern vs northern words quiz. To master them, create flashcards with sample dialogues labeled by region.

  5. Active Recall with Quizzes -

    Active recall through quizzes and spaced repetition dramatically boosts retention of dialect features (Roediger & Butler, 2011, Cognitive Psychology). Incorporate the southern vs northern words quiz into your study plan and use the mnemonic "MASON-DIX" (Mason-Dixon line) to trigger regional groupings. Reviewing 2 - 3 quiz items daily embeds vocabulary and phonetic patterns in long-term memory.

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