Solving Math With Southern Measurement Slang

Alabama comedian Matt Mitchell performed a humorous skit about solving math problems using measurement slang, idioms, and colloquialisms popular in the American South. This includes the unique definitions of a couple (between 2 and 5), a few (6-11), and a dozen (12 but with exceptions).

In the South, a couple can be any number between two and five. … a few is any number between six and almost a dozen.  And a dozen… Is 12. …Unless we’re at Krispy Kreme. Then, it could be 24, depending on the type of deal they’re running. I mean, you’re not gonna pass up a buy a dozen, get a dozen for a dollar, are ya? …And anything more than two dozen is just a whole mess.

Mitchell also addressed “Southern English”.

Class is in session, and today your favorite Southerner is learning the English language. Again. Maybe Matt will finally figure out who Chester is.

Lori Dorn
Lori Dorn

Lori is a Laughing Squid Contributing Editor based in New York City who has been writing blog posts for over a decade. She also enjoys making jewelry, playing guitar, taking photos and mixing craft cocktails.