If you’re going to make it in Mississippi, you have to master the language. And I’m not referring to the southern drawl residents are known for. I’m talking about the unique phrases used in everyday conversation. Some are self-explanatory, while others will have outsiders swearing Mississippians have a language of their own; here are 12 perfect examples.

1. "I’m cravin’ some nabs."

No matter the name on the package, these tasty peanut butter crackers are all referred to as "nabs." The tradition actually started years ago when Nabisco was the dominant brand. Even though the Nabisco version of the crackers has been discontinued since the 1970s – 1980s, the name stuck.

2. "How’s your mama ’n ’em?"

This phrase is commonly used to ask how someone’s family is doing. (Hey, just because things tend to move at a slower pace in Mississippi, doesn’t mean we don’t like to take a few shortcuts from time to time.)

3. "I’m being treated like a red-headed step child!"

Feeling a bit underappreciated or neglected? Well, if you’re a Mississippian, this is the phrase you’d use to sum it up.

4. "Give me some sugar."

Not to be taken literally, "sugar" in this instance means a kiss. (If a Mississippian wanted actual sugar, they'd ask in a much nicer manner than this.)

5. "I'll be there, good Lord willin’ and the creek don’t rise."

Mississippians are fully aware that some things are just out of their control – and that’s where this phrase comes in. It’s used by someone to imply that they’ll do something or show up somewhere unless some unforeseen circumstance occurs. It actually makes complete sense when you consider that a rising creek in rural Mississippi often leads to flooded, impassable roads.

6. "Go up the road a ways."

Ask a Mississippi resident for directions, and this phrase will most likely be thrown in somewhere. So, just how long is "a ways?" Well, it varies. But it’s often preceded by either "a little" or "a long" to keep things from getting too confusing.

7. "I had to carry mama to the doctor."

If an outsider heard this, they'd probably wonder why you didn't drive. However, a Mississippian will know that no one literally carried anyone, anywhere.

8. "What kind of Coke do y’all want with supper?"

Only a Mississippian would know how to answer this question.

9. "She ain’t got the sense God gave a piss ant."

This one’s pretty self explanatory. An ant is clearly lacking in the common sense department, so it’s just a polite way of saying that someone isn’t behaving in the smartest way. ("Bless her heart" is probably the best response to this remark.)

10. "Finer than frog’s hair."

This popular expression would probably stump anyone who isn't from Mississippi - mainly because frogs clearly don’t have hair. But that’s exactly the point. You see, since there is no visible hair on a frog, it’s safe to assume that if it did exist it’d be extremely fine.

11. "The food is rurnt."

Sure, Mississippians are known for being great cooks; however, every once in a while things can go awry in the kitchen. And when they do, this is the expression you’d use to described the "ruined food."

12. "Jeat yet?"

This is simply a shortened version of "did you eat yet?" The question is pretty common since Mississippians are known for great cooking and hospitality. So, if you’re ever asked this question, it’s a good idea to say "no" because it’ll most likely result in being offered some amazing food.

So, do you use all the phrases listed above? Have another to add to the list? Tell us in the comments section!

If you enjoyed this, be sure to check out "13 Weird Side Effects Everyone Experiences From Growing Up In Mississippi."