Taking A Stand: How to tell if you’re ‘from around here’
Like many small communities across the country, Warren County has its qualities which are particular and unique to this one area.
It’s the way we talk and think which sets us aside from not only other Southerners, but also other Tennesseans. It makes it easy for us to tell when, “They ain’t from around here” as soon as someone opens their mouth.
I was just talking about this exclusive club we call Warren County to some friends earlier, and it’s amazing how many little things are distinctly our heritage, things we don’t even generally think about.
With this in mind, I’m going to borrow a little thing from Jeff Foxworthy and put a little twist on it. Feel free to nod your head and agree or even laugh if you want. Hey, you bought the paper, you’re entitled to it.
You might be a Warren countian if:
• You know where you’re going when someone gives you directions which begin with, “You go to the old Red Dog and turn left.”
• You realize that the Blue Building isn’t actually blue and the Black House isn’t actually black.
• You actually order Sundrop at a restaurant. (Don’t try this outside Warren County because they’ll look at you funny.)
• You correctly pronounce the names Womack (Wah-mick not Whoa-mack) and Cantrell (no long “L” – only the rich Cantrells go by the alternate pronunciation).
• You say the word McMinnville with the “vull” on the end instead of the “ville” and you don’t put overemphasis on the “Mc” part of the name. This separates the natives from the newcomers. By the way, in Warren County, the name Shelbyville also has a unique pronunciation, that being, “Shelbabble”.
• You secretly try to sneak out of Captain D’s after eating without having the hostesses say “bye” as you leave. (It’s not easy).
• You know, without even thinking, what happens and what your plans will be in Warren County during the second full week of September.
• You don’t go to the high school to watch a high school football game. (It’s at the old high school which is now the middle school.)
• You know that “City” and “Central” were not the same thing and mistaking them can get you punched by alumni.
• The county administrative offices is actually William Biles School with a facelift.
• You know during the summer, that if you are in a hurry, to plan an alternate route around New Smithville Highway on the weekend nights. You know “the Strip” isn’t a nightclub.
• You can actually show people where the Rock Island is located at Rock Island (tough even for natives).
• You know where to turn when someone tells you to turn left by the Hebe statue even though Hebe isn’t there right now.
• You know the “Man Killer” isn’t some guy making a reference to his wife.
• You don’t hear it as Deep Old Bottom when someone says Depot Bottom.
• You have no problems finding your way when people tell you to meet them at the old Wal-Mart or even the real old Wal-Mart.
• You know that Ben Lomand isn’t actually a person and that Cowan Oldham was.
• You know that “Talk Back” isn’t something you just do to your parents.
• You know you don’t say the name Falcon Manor without the word “Historic” before the name.
• You remember the Dottie West Fest.
These are 20. If you didn’t get at least 15, well, you’re either young, not informed or more likely, not from around here.
(Duane Sherrill is a reporter from the Standard. He can be reached at 473-2191 or by e-mail at [email protected].)