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Some time ago, I was writing a story and used a variation of the sentence, “He wished he could be a fly on the wall when they had that conversation.” This puzzled my critique partner, who didn’t know it meant. She had never heard the expression “fly on the wall” before and didn’t know it meant the character could be an unobtrusive observer. I decided to change the sentence for fear others wouldn’t understand, either.

[tweet_box design=”default” float=”none” inject=”@Tamela_Murray on @BRMCWC #writing #writerslife”]Using Regional Expressions in Writing[/tweet_box]

I grew up in rural Virginia, and we had some unusual local expressions.

Consider:

• ugly as homemade soap
• screaming bloody murder
• grumpy as an old sitting hen
• bleeding like a killing hog
• slow as molasses on a December morning
• Grandma was slow, but she was old. (Used in chastising a young person.)
• doesn’t know any more than a Yank in Georgia
• high as a Georgia pine (This expression was popular before drugs reached rural areas, so it meant drunk. Or it can mean a high price. Much to the chagrin of my daughters, today I still might say, “Wow, that caviar is high as a Georgia pine.”)

These popular expressions have less regional flair, but are still colorful:

• low man on the totem pole
• You get what you pay for.
• Money talks. BS walks.

What are some of your favorite expressions? Are they specific to your area? Do you use them in your writing? Let’s have fun here! Leave a comment below.

Tamela Hancock Murray has been a literary agent since 2001. She was named Agent of the Year in 2017 by ACFW. She is a bestselling author of over thirty novels, novellas, and nonfiction books and won an RWA Inspirational Readers Choice Award. Because of her experience, Tamela brings the perspective of a working writer to her role as a literary agent. She represents many top authors and continues to develop new talent. She earned her BA with honors in Journalism from Lynchburg College in Virginia.

Today she enjoys living in Northern Virginia with her husband of thirty-three years. They are the proud parents of two lovely adult daughters. Her personal book collection takes up way too much room, but that doesn’t stop her from buying more!

Follow Tamela on Twitter: @Tamela_Murray