21 Southern Compliments You've Probably Heard Before

Southerners know a thing or two about compliments. We like to give them, and we sure do like to receive them, though we'd never admit it. For us, though, a phrase like "you look nice today" simply won't do. You're much more likely to hear "you're as pretty as a peach in June" from a Southerner offering a compliment.

These compliments and lighthearted digs have Southern flair aplenty.

12 Classic Southern Compliments

• She's as pretty as a peach.
• They're as pretty as a pitcher. (aka: "Pretty as a picture" with a Southern drawl)
• He's a tall drink of iced tea.
• They're as happy as clams at high tide.
• She's as smart as all get out.
• They're finer than frogs' hair split four ways.
• She's got gumption.
• They're sweeter than cherry pie.
• They're like two peas in a pod.
• He's as happy as a dead pig in the sunshine.
• They go together like peas and carrots.
• She's got more style than Carter's got little pills. (Or liver pills or little liver pills, depending on the era)

11 Not-So-Complimentary Phrases

• She's as wild as a June bug on a string.
• That dog won't hunt.
• She's madder than a wet hen.
• He looks like he's worn slap out.
• He's actin' too big for his britches.
• She's gotten her feathers ruffled.
• They're slower than molasses in winter.
• You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.
• He's as crooked as a barrel of snakes.
• She's as jumpy as a cat on a hot tin roof.
• He's actin' like a bump on a log.

Which of these sayings have you heard? What Southern sayings would you add to the list? Tell us your favorite Southern compliments—we know you have some!