Southern Wisdom: An Insider’s Guide to Sayings ’n’ Such

by Emily Welch

With more “yes ma’ams,” “no sirs,” casseroles, and monograms than you can shake a stick at, this book will have you pondering, and chuckling at, the origins of Southern idioms and customs.

Southerners share a unique culture, including their own version of the English language, shaped over generations. Southern Wisdom is a charming and humorous illustrated exploration of the stories, history, and sayings that make up the culture, delving into both age-old and modern traditions. If you’re not from the South, bless your heart and pay attention—there’s wisdom to be found in this heartfelt, humorous culture. 

Learn about the intriguing historical context behind classically Southern phrases, customs, and superstitions

“You gotta get gussied up!”“Politeness and consideration for others is like investing pennies and getting dollars back.”“Hold your horses.”Why should you never leave a rocking chair rocking?Y’all and y’all and y’allMonograms, football, Mardi Gras, and more!
Find a full Southern Dictionary at the back of the book to really wow natives when you decide to visit the South. Laugh alongside author Emily Welch as she explains and explores the extraordinary things about life in Southern Wisdom.

224 pages, Hardcover

Published June 24, 2025

Reviews

[Sam · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author emphasizes family and community, with an appealingly peachy cover and a thorough glossary.

But some less-than-peachy issues arose in reading this very short book: occasional political incorrectness, assigning universal phrases specifically to the South, skewing content to upper class New Orleans residents, grammatical errors, etc.

Not everyone will agree with my views — on the surface, it is simply a cutesy, less interesting book than the Preppy Handbook of the 80s.

Cannot recommend.

[Marne - Reader By the Water · Rating 5 out of 5]

🌸For my friends who live in The South or want to fit in there.

SOUTHERN WISDOM: AN INSIDER’S GUIDE TO SAYINGS N SUCH @emilywelchart

Thanks, @quartobooksus #RockPoint for the #gifted book!

I learned the hard way that different phrases mean different things to different people. For example, in the Air Force, “Noted” means “I agree,” or “Yes, I see it.” It’s similar to HUA (Heard, Understand, Acknowledged) in some services or “Copy” in the Navy. Turns out, “Noted” means something much more rude in the Navy! So now, whenever I tell my husband, “Noted,” he will ask “Air Force ‘Noted’ or Navy ‘Noted’?”

I told you that to tell you this. “Bless your heart” to this Yankee means “I appreciate you.” Apparently that is not the case to Southerners. This has been just one of many lessons I’ve learned the hard way in the last ten years living in Louisiana after growing up in Maine. If only I had a copy of SOUTHERN WISDOM before I moved here!

Each helpful, clever, and often funny example has a little story or explanation, and a colorful illustration. Swipe to see some of my favorites! This lovely, funny, beautiful book would make a wonderful gift for both transplants or lifelong Southerners. Add one to your welcome basket, your BNB’s coffee table, or beloved’s holiday stocking!

Special note for my #Louisiana friends: the author, Emily Welch, lives just down the road in Shreveport! Check out her art and pottery, too! @magnoliacreativeco

[Adrianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I voluntarily read and reviewed a gifted copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Quarto Books and Emily Welch for this gorgeous finished copy!

I grew up in the south, and while I’ve heard many of these sayings, the majority of them were new to me. And even those that I did know, I certainly did not know where they came from.

This was a really cute book with darling illustrations that needs to be in every Southern boutique store!