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Tee-Ella-Berta

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One listener’s term, tee-ella-berta, is among hundreds of euphemisms for the derriere, including tee-hiney, tee-hineyboo, and tee-hinder. This is part of a complete episode.

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  • Although I haven’t heard the phrase in question, I do have a possible suggestion regarding it’s source. If the grandmother or her family happened to come from an area near Alabama, its possible that the phrase was created through a simple substitution. As you may know, Alabama has a very interesting shape; it is generally rectangular, with a small tail at the southern end. At the bottom of this tail is the city of Elberta, AL. Starting with the more well known tee-hiney (et. al.) and replacing “hiney” with the city at the “bottom” of Alabama, you would end up with Tee-Elberta.

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