COUNTY LIFE
Southerners describe heat in so many interesting terms
The language learning platform Preply has used Google search data to reveal a list of the most commonly used heat expressions in the south.
Southerners in the U.S. are well-known for their colorful language and vivid imagery. With unique expressions like “She’s madder than a wet hen” and “I’m finer than frog hair split four ways,” they also have plenty of animated ways to talk about what it’s like to bake in the sun on a summer day.
Lucky for you, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most widespread Southern phrases used to describe just how fiery it can feel outside.
So leave “It’s hot!” behind and pick up a few new ear-catching phrases to try out this summer!
Here are the 20 most popular Southern sayings about the heat:
- It’s not the heat—it’s the humidity.
- Hot as Hades.
- Hotter than Dutch love.
- It’s a barn burner.
- Hotter than blue blazes.
- Hotter than Georgia asphalt.
- Hot enough to scald a lizard.
- Hotter than a stolen tamale.
- She sure is a-beamin’.
- Aweful selsery.
- Hot enough to scald a loon.
- Training grounds for down below.
- The bear got him.
- It’s a torcher.
- It must be 90 in the shade.
- This one’s gonna be a scorcher.
- You could fry an egg on the sidewalk.
- It’s like walking through soup out here.
- It’s so hot the ice cream truck melted.
- It’s so hot the swimming pool is boiling.
Amy Pritchett, Learning Success Manager at Preply, said:
“There’s something about Southern heat that speaks to us like nothing else. It’s our sweat badge of courage – proof, in our minds, that we can stand mercury levels that would indeed undo our northern brethren. And we do it gracefully. Southern women don’t sweat – we “glisten.”
The epicenter of heat-tolerance pride is, of course, Texas. Move there from anywhere else, and soon you’ll be calling the folks back home, full of yourself and spouting off about the cold snap you’re having in Fort Worth, what with the temperature dipping into the 90s.
It’s not enough, of course, for Southerners to bravely endure the heat. No, we need to talk about it—specifically, we search for ever more colorful ways of describing the heat’s intensity.”
To view ‘The Most Popular Heat Expressions,’ visit: https://preply.com/en/blog/southern-sayings-about-the-heat/.
About Preply
Preply is a global language learning marketplace, connecting 140,000 tutors with tens of thousands of students worldwide.
Founded in 2012 and backed by some of the world’s leading investors, Preply is on a mission to shape the future of effective learning. Fueled by a belief that live engagement with a teacher is still the most effective way to learn a new skill, Preply builds a personalized learning space that will enable individual learners to reach their goals the fastest way possible.
Take time to remember all those who gave all for our freedoms in America. The Bowie News staff wishes you a safe and happy holiday day weekend this Memorial Day. The News office will be closed on Monday for the holiday.
AUSTIN – With Memorial Day weekend marking the unofficial start to summer boating season, Texas Game Wardens are preparing for one of the busiest boating weekends of the year and reminding Texans and visitors alike to put safety first before heading out on the water.
In 2025, Texas recorded 178 reportable boating incidents that resulted in 50 fatalities and 77 serious injuries. Eighty-four percent of those who died in boating incidents were not wearing a life jacket. Texas Game Wardens also made 223 Boating While Intoxicated (BWI) arrests last year.
“Memorial Day weekend is when many families get back on the water for the first time this year,” said Col. Ron VanderRoest, director of Law Enforcement for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. “Before you leave the dock, take a few minutes to make sure your life jackets are on board, your boat is properly equipped and you have designated a sober operator.”
Texas Game Wardens encourage boaters to keep the following in mind before launching:
- Wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket. Children younger than 13 are required to wear one while underway.
- Never operate a boat under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- The operator must wear the lanyard or have the engine cut-off switch fob on their person when operating a boat equipped with one.
- Operate at a safe speed and maintain a proper lookout.
- Take a boater education course. It is required for anyone born on or after Sept. 1, 1993.
- Check the weather before heading out and be prepared for changing conditions.
- Leave a float plan with someone you trust.
- Don’t overload your boat.
“Boating should be fun,” said VanderRoest. “A little planning and some common sense help keep it that way.”
Renting a Boat or Personal Watercraft
If you plan to rent a boat or personal watercraft, choose a licensed vessel livery (a business establishment engaged in renting or hiring out vessels for profit).
By law, vessel liveries must provide all required safety equipment, explain how to operate the vessel, review applicable boating laws and have the operator sign a form acknowledging they received this information. They are also required to carry liability insurance.
Before leaving the dock, renters should make sure the vessel has enough life jackets for everyone on board and that they understand basic operating rules, including those specific to personal watercraft.
Personal Watercraft Safety
Personal watercraft, including jet skis, are subject to special laws in Texas. Operators and passengers must always wear a life jacket, the operator must use the engine cut-off switch, and these vessels may not be operated between sunset and sunrise. Operators must also stay at least 50 feet from other vessels, people and the shore unless traveling at headway speed.
“Whether you’re launching your own boat or renting one for the day, take the time to understand the rules and make safety part of your plan,” said VanderRoest. “If you take safety seriously from the start, you’re far less likely to need help later.”
For more information about boating laws, required equipment and boater education courses, visit the TPWD Boater Education Program at tpwd.texas.gov/boatereducation.
Starting at noon on May 25 at The V (VFW) in Nocona there will be a program for the Memorial Day featuring speakers, cannons and a rifle team.
There will be a Memorial Day Celebration Dinner at 5 p.m. on May 25 at the Nocona Senior Citizens Center (Carpenter Shop).
Call for reservations at 940-825-3148. The meal will include barbecue ribs, french fries, beans, cole slaw, dessert and ice team. Adults are $10 and children $5.
Proceeds benefit the senior center and the Meals on Wheels program at Nocona.
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