There is a particular way you should speak if you want to "fit in" here in the Florida Panhandle. It is slightly different than regular English but it is totally and entirely understandable, and if you would really like to come across as being from this area, especially if you are young and coming down from the north for a Spring Break session at the beaches, you must pay attention closely and follow this advice. If you speak like this you won't be considered an outsider, and prices might actually come down for you! I have compiled this list from listening to the professional people here at work speaking to one another. Yes, I'm actually speaking of high ranking people, with college degrees. Regardless of the level of education they might have, this is how they will speak. I think it is quite interesting. These are just the basics.

REGULAR ENGLISH versus PANHANDLE DIALECT

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I don't give a damn! -- I don't give a tomb!

What could I help you with? -- What might-could I help you for?

Could (always will be) -- might-could (not really sure?)

This is something that we could use -- This is something that we might-could use

I'll talk to you later -- Talk at you later

Let me talk to them -- Let me talk at them

Those (always replaced by) -- Them

Those cars (or anything, for that matter) --Them cars (or anything)

He was VERY drunk -- He was a knee-walking, commode-hugging drunk

She was butt-ugly -- She was so ugly she stopped an 8-day clock

I don't give a damn --I don't give a flying doo-doo (the s - - - t word)

None of us are as dumb as all of us together -- None of us is as dumb as all of us

I've already done that -- I've already did that

Hi -- (always) Hey (This is the first Panhandle-ism I learned. They never say, "Hi")

Good-Bye -- Bye

I haven't seen you in a long time -- I haven't seen you in a coon's age

I don't have that written down -- I don't have that wrote down

Those people won't leave you alone -- Them people won't let you alone.

She/he doesn't know -- She/he don't know

She and I -- Her and I

As I hear more Panhandle-isms, I will post them......but this is for starters......so, learn-on!

You (a few) --Y'all

You Plural (a great many) -- All Y'all

I have noticed that they say here, I've went instead of I've gone.

"After all, the other person could have did that already."