Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with southern

Help bring some spice to my poker game!

Mastercheddaar — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 07:17:45 -0800

Inspired by this post and a love for all things spicy. I am going to make Gumbo for New Years Eve. Where the hive mind comes in, well more inside. First off I know I could read the original post and follow links to gumbo recipes but where is the fun in that? Half the fun of cooking is being pushed in a right direction and then doing things your own way! :) Back to the question....

I'm having a poker game from supper time (5ish) until about 9:30-10ish on the Eve and I wanted to make a classic poker style hot stew, cold outside ... great with lager/ale food. I know how to make a good/above average gumbo already. Noone complains yet noone is asking for the recipe. Roux, Shrimp, Chicken, Sausage, Celery, Carrots, Onion, Hot peppers, etc. Add rice at some point but I feel it has never been knock your socks off good. So if you don't mind could I pick your brains for some super secret gumbo cooking info. Stuff like techniques or secret ingredients that really hit it off. I know Okra should be added but that'll be a HARD find in the dead of winter in NE Ohio (can you use frozen Okra or do they even freeze it to begin with?) Any and all suggestions are welcome.

What movies would I like?

broadway bill — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 00:16:04 -0800

MovieFilter: I recently watched and enjoyed the film All the Real Girls. Specifically, I seem to enjoy movies that are: slow, subtle, somewhat funny, southern, romantic and a bit long. Any suggestions for more things to fit this bill, or does this one movie meet all of my needs in a way that no other can? Hopefully helpful side note: I saw Up In The Air tonight, and also enjoyed it, mainly for the same sense of calm and subtlety I liked in ATRG.

By the waters of Cape Cod I sat and wept when I remembered Hotlanta . . .

MasonDixon — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 21:06:46 -0800

What are the best websites about the American South and Southern Culture? Help me remember what I have left and to keep abreast of the cultural happenings in my homeland while I sojourn amongst the Yankees. I'm looking for things like the Southern Foodways Alliance that celebrates Southern food and The Oxford Americana Southern magazine of writing.

Southern Lit, Sociologically oriented sites, Websites on Southern Music, a great history website or well written, Southern focused blogs are what I am looking for.

The biscuit shall rise again!

hal_c_on — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 09:48:31 -0800

How do I make fantastic southern-type biscuits? There are only a few ingredients (I think), and people regularly produce them...but my Cali-Yank pedigree will not allow me to make them? I'm referring to savory soft biscuits, not the cookie-tin biscuits, of course.

I've done tons of recipes but nothing turns out like I've tasted. Water, flour, baking powder, crisco/shortening, baking soda, butter, and (butter)milk are all the ingredients I need (right)?

I've seen people using lard, but I don't eat lard...and the restaurants/individuals who have made biscuits I ate told me that besides dairy, there are no animal products in the recipe.

How do I make fantastic biscuits...and the hell with cutting calories/fat. I just want good biscuits.

Itinerary for camping and photography trip in southern california

mamessner — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 19:49:03 -0800

Help me with an itinerary for a 3-day camping/photo tour of Southern California. My wife and I are taking a 3-day weekend to drive around Southern California and explore our new state. We're new to San Diego and haven't had a chance to explore SoCal. We're both photographers and are looking for some photogenic sites. We'd like to pack a few coolers full of food and car camp for three nights.

We thought we'd leave it to the hive mind to create an itinerary for us. We're open to anything. We've heard that the Salton Sea is a very photogenic spot, and some photos on Flickr confirm this, so we'd like that to be part of the itinerary.

Otherwise I'd love to hear some suggestions for places to camp/photograph/visit!

This question can kiss my grits.

curiositykilledthelemur — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 14:54:05 -0800

Southern phrases like "gets my goat" and "burns my biscuits"? I just started working with an amazing guy from Mississippi and every other sentence is a regional phrase like "running 'round like a chicken with their head cut off" and the above "got my goat" and "burns my biscuits."

I love love love the ingenuity and creativity of his verbal skills, and I want MORE! Please humor me, MeFites, with some awesome and unique wordings, phrases, jokes, etc. from the South. Would love it if you would specify the region overheard as well.

No one loves me- help me get out of town.

drjimmy11 — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 20:52:05 -0800

Where can I go camping within a day's drive of L.A. this coming weekend? I have a three day weekend, no plans for Valentine's, and I'd like to get out of town and de-stress.

I did read the other Cali camping threads, but none were quite specific for what I want. So within the following parameters:

1) I don't mind a long drive, (I kind of enjoy them actually), but would like to leave L.A. in the morning and get there before dark.
2) it should be nice this time of year. Cold at night is ok within reason, I have a 15 degree rated sleeping bag.
3) I would like to be reasonably alone. So "car camping" is out. I am in decent, not great, shape, and don't mind hiking in.
4) I just got a new camera and want to take some cool pictures, so the more scenic the better.

I really don't know where to start, and am open to all suggestions. Thanks!

(Bonus question: What are some good camp foods for a vegetarian to cook on his little stove? not a huge Ramen fan).

Fried livers & gizzards in Houston?

mrbill — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 13:03:04 -0800

Where can one find fried chicken livers & gizzards in west Houston? Growing up, my dad introduced me to fried chicken livers n' gizzards as a perfect redneck finger food/snack food, especially for fishing trips. Buy some raw to use as bait, and another box of em cooked to eat while you fish!

I was able to buy them in high school (southwest Oklahoma) from the deli section of the local grocery store, right next to the egg rolls and stuffed jalapenos, but I've been unable so far to find any in Houston! I've tried Kroger, Fiesta, etc, and have come up empty.

So, where in west Houston (within 5-10 miles of BW8/Westheimer) can I go to buy fried livers and gizzards? Or am I out of luck, and just live in too urban an area?

Looking for a coffee similar to the orange(y) taste of Southern Comfort Coffee

OneCrayon — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 15:24:10 -0800

I received a small gift packet of branded "Southern Comfort" coffee for Christmas. It is really good but all I can find is more little gift packets for sale. Anyone know where I can get a larger quantity or a very similar tasting coffee? (I think it has a citrus like flavor)

(Yes, someone in Hollywood actually wants to eat donuts.)

mykescipark — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 10:47:28 -0800

Recommend a pick-your-own apple orchard in Southern California, not too far afield from L.A., please. I've been spoiled by the fabulous orchards of Central and Southern Connecticut, but now I'm a Left Coaster in dire need of fresh fruit and cider donuts. I've Googled around and seen various lists of orchards in the area, but I'm looking for personal recommendations for pick-your-own joints within a two-hour drive of my fair city. I've got a busload of friends with bags at the ready - where should I point the terracraft?

Should I buy now?

matthelm — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 14:08:37 -0800

In the market of Buying a Condo in the Los Angeles areas and want to know how to research best. Need to find out sites that keep me up to date with the housing market, when its good to buy etc...for with the economy right now I don't really know what to do.....please help I held off from buying a condo cause I was having a wedding and now that that's over I wanted to start looking for a condo. But now the economy just sucks and now when I have the time to devout to finding a place I feel it might be wise to hold off. I need to find sites that can get me in touch with whats going on with the housing market out here in the LA areas. My plan was to get a condo by end of year or beginning of next...i manage a apt complex so rent is free and I have saved a lot, but we are soooo tired of the small one bedroom that to keep our sanity I was maybe even thinking that getting a 2 bedroom apt for a year might be more wise and when the lease is up maybe the economy will be too and we can buy a condo then....any help would be greatly appreciated

Those Confederates sure have my balls in a vice.

np312 — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 15:43:03 -0800

Two-part slang request. I'm looking for: 1. Colloquial terms for Southern gentlemen types, of the mint julep-sipping variety; and 2. Unique/interesting slang along the lines of, "will have my guts my for garters."

Pig ears optional

cilantro — Tue, 20 May 2008 12:01:57 -0800

I'm a transplanted Kentuckian who's been in the UK for almost two years now, and one thing I really miss is Southern-style sausage (think Jimmy Dean). Home made sausage gravy and biscuits is my number-one comfort meal and sometimes I just NEED it. So, I have a food processor and an adventurous spirit, but I am lacking a recipe (for the sausage - I have the gravy and the biscuits under control). What cut(s) of pork do I need? What seasonings? What method? Alternately, you can just donate towards a ticket home so I can eat it at my Nanney's house. Mefi-mail me for paypal info ;)

How to improve my southern speakin' skillz

willie11 — Thu, 08 May 2008 07:14:16 -0800

Please help me expand my base of quaint southern expressions, aphorisms and witticisms. Obviously I need to read more southern literature and spend some quality time with the good ol' boys here in beautiful Raleigh, NC. But are there any online resources out there? Recommended books? Any southern maxim or locution you're partial to?

Bring me your solar wind and magnetosphere

Helga-woo — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 06:57:12 -0800

Will I see the southern lights in New Zealand? I'm going to New Zealand on Monday and staying for about 4 weeks. We're going as far south as Dunedin and staying there for a few days. Any chance we'll might see the Southern Lights? Any at all?

I know it's a bit of a long shot, as the sun is going through a quiet period, I subscribe to the Aurora watch email and there hasn't been one sent for ages.

looking for snow near Los Angeles

Charlie Lesoine — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 12:59:50 -0800

I'm looking for a place near Los Angeles where snow is falling or has recent fell on the ground. I don't want to go skiing I just want to throw a few snowballs. Does anyone know of the closest place to Los Angeles with plenty of snow? I tried to find some at Mt Baldy, but there were just a few sparse patches...that I could see from the car. I'm not looking for slopes just somewhere I can throw snowballs and frolic in the snow.

Should I stop speaking like a Yank?

Anonymous — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 20:06:59 -0800

My boss would like me to drop my accent by developing a Southern one. Is this a bad idea? I live in the South (in the US). I was raised in the Western US by Yankee parents, so I have a Yankee accent. Now I have a good job (that I don't want to quit, so please don't suggest that) in the deep south.

My boss and co-workers say they can't always understand me. Part of this is because I mumble a bit, but I try to enunciate when they say, "what?"

I've never been good at mimicking accents, so my speech hasn't changed despite living here for over two years.

Yet every time I've spoken Southern, they claim I do a good job, but to me, it sounds like a cheap imitation. It also seems like I would have to speak Southern full time on the job otherwise the locals will think I am making fun of them. I would feel weird answering my cell ("oh, it is my parents, speak normally" vs "oh, it is Bob, step up the drawl.")

A guy I spoke with on the phone later asked my boss if I was a foreigner. (But maybe to him, foreigner=yank.)

Is there anything wrong with adopting an accent? If you are a native Southerner, would it make you mad to hear a Yank without an accent? Is there anything I am not considering?

(posting anon because my posting history would easily lead people to where I work and I don't want to get harassed)

where can I stay in Santa Barbara?

drjimmy11 — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 20:09:26 -0800

where can I stay in Santa Barbara? I'm taking next week off work and I'm thinking of getting out of L.A. I've never been to Santa Barbara, and I'd like to go, chill somewhere quiet-ish, and do some writing.

So I'm looking for a hotel that's nice, not absurdly expensive (would be nice to keep it under $150 a night), and will have a room on short notice. If the hotel has a cool restaurant/bar in it, that would be a bonus. Near a quiet beach would be great as well.

(I did read the other S.B. related questions, but didn't see hotels addressed in detail) thanks!

Winter holiday festivals in Alabama, Mississippi and Alabama - Kwanzaa, Hanukkah and others especially...

mdiskin — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 05:47:55 -0800

Help me find family-friendly winter holiday festivals and celebrations in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama to be held this year (2007-2008)-- especially non-Christian celebrations like those celebrating Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, or just winter itself. Or specific cultural celebrations that would offer something beyond the usual Xmas/Santa stuff. It's especially hard for me to get good descriptions since many holiday sites and city calendars aren't yet updated for the coming winter's festivals. I'd like specific towns/destinations to point others to (this is for a magazine article).

Is there a tradition in the Southern USA that men go by their middle names?

jbiz — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 11:02:37 -0800

Is there a tradition in the Southern USA that men go by their middle names? This topic came up today at work. There are 4 or 5 guys here who go by their middle names. However, each of them thinks that their case is a one-off, and no one knows the history behind this tradition.

California Housing Market

matthelm — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 10:46:17 -0800

How does one monitor the Housing Market of Southern California? I would like to purchase a condo in the next couple of years and would like to know when the "best" time to buy is. I am a first time buyer and slowly picking up the knowledge to what it takes to buying a place.

DrainSpin North and South of the Equator

goalyeehah — Sun, 26 Nov 2006 20:33:33 -0800

Do drain's really drain counterclockwise in the Southern hemisphere? I heard this years ago and took it at face value as I had never traveled to south of the equator. Is this true?

In search of "authentic" Southern (American) accents...

ibeji — Wed, 11 Oct 2006 11:43:49 -0800

Language/Dialect-filter: In search of "authentic" Southern (American) accents... One of the 20 or so things I've always wanted to be when I grew up was a linguistic anthropologist (it's been pretty consistently in the top 5 actually). Instead, I've taken up #3 (sorta) and try to maintain #1 along the way. Point being, I'm fascinated by accents of all kinds and how they are accurately or inaccurately portrayed in the media. Of special interest is the "Southern American accent", a blanket term which many use to cover a ridiculously large geographic area that (not surprisingly) has produced a number of widely varying dialects.

Now the request: those of you who grew up in the South or hang with a lot of Southerners, I'd love it if you could give me film/media examples of the best and worst Southern accents you've come across, with regional specifics (about you and the actor's accents) if at all possible.

Bonus info: I'd also love to hear your take on the accents of the numerous actors who grew up Southern, had to lose their accents for their careers, then were asked to perform as a Southerner (Josh Lucas and the guy from Lost who plays Sawyer come to mind, also Parker Posey who grew up in Mississippi but I can't actually remember her playing Southern...). Do their re-learned accents sound odd to you, or do they fall right back into it?

Thanks!

p.s. Some resources I've found already:
the speech accent archive
This American Life #138 "The Real Thing" (8/27/99)

What's the etymology of "Tall Drink of Water"?

SpecialK — Mon, 14 Aug 2006 14:06:45 -0800

What's the origin/etymology of the phrase "Tall Drink of Water", usually in reference to an attractive southern woman?

Planting Lily Bulbs in SoCal?

sdis — Wed, 02 Aug 2006 22:19:17 -0800

I want to plant some Casablanca lily bulbs, so that I may cut them at various times and give them to the SO. I live in Los Angeles, and have sandy soil around my property at different degrees of sunniness and facing different cardinal directions, mostly directly against one wall or another. What should I know?