Home » Segments » “Whistling Dixie” Origin

“Whistling Dixie” Origin

Play episode

You ain’t just whistling Dixie, and that’s the truth! Whistling Dixie, which refers to a studied carelessness, comes from the song that originated in minstrel shows and from which the South takes its nickname. But if you say someone ain’t just whistling Dixie, it means they’re not kidding around. This is part of a complete episode.

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

1 comment
  • Grant mentions how a woman whistling Dixie might somehow not be a good thing (according to people back in the day). I grew up in Texas and heard the phrase “Whistlin’ women and crowin’ hens, will never come to no good end.” Of course my mom (the only one I heard this from) has a penchant for these great old sayings and only used it jokingly, never with actual disapproval!

More from this show

Horsengoggle

Need a way to select someone from a group to be a recipient of something? Horsengoggle it! Kids have been horsengoggling for a long time, and sometimes children start out this counting game in German, with Einz, Zwei, Drei, Horsengoggle! No one...

Might as Well, Can’t Dance

Byron in Florence, South Carolina, is curious about his grandmother’s expression might as well, can’t dance, which she used when someone suggested an activity. This saying, as well as longer versions, are rooted in the idea of weather...

Segments