I like this definition - grits are not usually served in Chicago, but I have had them in Springfield (IL). Indiana is another state which can be either Northern or Southern. Purdue is definitely Northern, but Jeffersonville and Evansville are almost part of Louisville, which for me is the start of the South. But most "Southerners" would never even consider any part of Kentucky to be the South. So is the real definition based on geography, culture, or grits?

I'm from Alabama, so some of this "southern" stuff is suspect to me, but then again, you can't get more southern than us folk.

"Purdue is definitely Northern, but Jeffersonville and Evansville are almost part of Louisville"

Barbino, Truer words were never spoken. I was born in Louisville, grew up in Jeffersonville(which is just across the river) and went to Purdue. My southern Indiana twang was not well received in W. Lafayette. I fit right in here in Georgia. My mother was from Lexington, KY and considered herself Southern.

Alumiyum, in 2008 I was on a trip to campaign for Obama in Michigan. One of my co-canvassers was a 6'4" black man from Huntsville who'd gone to UA on a full ride in the 80s. He told us about attending a welcome reception for his scholarship program shortly after arriving in Tuscaloosa. One of the alumni, a little old white lady, chatted with him warmly for a few minutes and then told him, "Well, you CAN'T be from Alabama." He said, "Yes ma'am, I'm from Huntsville," and she replied, "OHHHH...you're from the NAWTH."

BTW, look at those pics of UK bid day and tell me that's not the South! :)
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Harmed by prilosec

That's 'cause a LOT of Huntsville people are not from Alabama.

This.

Apparently, the Census Bureau does. :p

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi..._Divisions.PNG

This is very true. There are many Southern accents.

I think there's some validity to this list speaking of Southerness culturally. But, in addition to what Dr. Phil said about transpants being true of many Southern cities, I have to note a few things that make even these observations a little blurry.

While Democratic doesn't necessarily equal liberal in the South, North Carolina has only elected 2 Republican governors since Reconstrution, and Democrats have controlled the state legislature consistently since Reconstruction, except for a two, two-year periods when Republicans have controlled or shared control of the House of Representatives.

Many Southern states have a long history of the presence of Jews as a prominent minority, and there are parts of the South with historically strong Catholic infuence.

I'm not disputing these differences exist, but because the South (like any other region) is not monolithic, almost any example can be followed by a "yes, but . . . ."

Except this one. There is no "yes, but . . . ." This is just wrong. :p

Ah, this thread is fun.

It is. :D

Have you been there? Does it really exist? Oh noble explorer, what is this Southern Illinois you speak of?

I only say this crap to get Drolefille's panties all wadded up. Lord knows, growing up in Western NY we had to deal with the same mindset from NYC-dwellers - "What's Buffalo? Rochester? Isn't that where everyone goes to college?"

^ My Pastor's wife made some tea that wasn't "that sweet". OMG Cavities!! I could feel my teeth rotting. :p

Haha...but AnchorAlumna is right. ;)

My stars above! I have never understood why people disavow their Southernness so enthusiastically. I have ancestors who came to Virginia, some that met them here and some that came in chains (got the DNA to prove it) and not a Yankee in the bunch. It is ok to be Southern, y'all! :rolleyes:

My favorite "definition" of the South is Dr. Reed's Dixie Map...Y'all are probably familiar with it but whatever...

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...onic_dixie.jpg

The dots represent number of stores (of any type) that are named Dixie. Of course it does omit Arkansas to some degree and then make parts of Idaho and Utah to be southern, but whatever. Flaws.

I wonder what they did with "Dixie Cafe". I mean, that's a chain. Do they have those outside of the South?

I am a big fan of John Shelton Reed.

I don't know about Dixie Cafes, but are there Dixie Cups everywhere?

Save your Dixie Cups - the South shall rise again!