Beech Tree News Network

There are particular saying that definitely make you go “hmmm”.  Two southern or redneck sayings that are common are “pole cat” and “back in the holler”.  Where did these come from?  Webster’s says a polecat is a variation of several carnivorous animals.  Its first known use was actually the 14th century!
One saying that will definitely make a non-southerner go “hmm” is holler.  Down in the valley a ways is the basic meaning.  This term was used a couple hundred years before anyone ever heard the term “gangsta”. 
Another common saying that is a head scratcher is “jump the shark”.  It’s not really about jumping a shark, is it? Well, yes actually.   The term is used when a television series has run out of ideas and must resort to stunts to retain viewer interest.  The phrase derives from a scene in the three-part September 1977 episode of Happy Days titled “Hollywood”.  In the episode, there was a scene which had the Fonz water skiing-still wearing his trademark leather jacket-and jumping over a shark.
The episode was seen as an admission that the show had run out of ideas. The Simpsons did a similar episode where Homer jumped a shark.  Was it admission by the Simpsons writers or just paying homage to television history?  The phrase, adopted by the U.S., is rarely heard elsewhere.  Long-running television shows are particularly susceptible to accusations of running out of ideas. 
Several reasons shows don’t poke fun at themselves like that anymore, I think, could be that they take themselves too seriously.  Nobody associated with a show wants to admit that the end is near.  I digress.
Jump the shark, pole cat, and holler are just a few sayings that, unless you are from a certain area, you just don’t know.  “You all”, y’all, you’uns, the list goes on and on.  It depends on what area you live. 

Hello.  My name is Andy Sullivan.  I received my bachelor’s degree in business from Mid-Continent University in June 2009.  I began writing for beechtree in July 2009.  I enjoy writing, photography, watching basketball and football, and playing guitar.  I also write a blog that encompasses sports and entertainment, called Sports and More, at http://andyuk79.tumblr.com If you have any comments, please leave them in the space below.  Thanks for reading!