southernism

[ suhth-er-niz-uhm ]

noun

1. a pronunciation, expression, or behavioral trait characteristic of the U.S. South.

Word History and Origins

Origin of southernism¹

An Americanism dating back to 1860–65; Southern + -ism

Example Sentences

Somehow her crisp, cleancut speech (Joan had quite abandoned Southernism) made his own seem hideous, drawling, uncouth.

From Project Gutenberg