The other day I was having a conversation with some folks and I found myself saying the word “pecan.” As soon as I said it I was reminded of my first few years in the land of Dixie.
Growing up in Pennsylvania I never saw a pecan tree. I did see pecans though and I was pretty sure how to pronounce the word. But then I moved south and discovered I didn’t.
A lot of my continuing education in language arts came from simple observance. For instance, I noticed that everyone greeted me by raising their arm and saying, “Hey!” (I was used to hi or hello.)
I found it charming. I mean I was really charmed. I had never lived anywhere that everyone who saw me acknowledged my existence and then gave a friendly “Hey!” and a wave. How could I not like it? And it didn’t take me long to join in. I found myself raising my hand and saying hey with the rest of them. I was really enjoying living in the South.
There were lessons every day and I enjoyed learning them. The most interesting came unexpectedly from a lovely little southern lady who was in her seventies. And it was all because I pronounced the word “pecan.” I said “pee can.”
I remarked how lovely the pecan trees in Mrs. Washington’s yard were and when this little “Steel Magnolia” heard me, she turned on her heel, put her hands on her trim little hips, looked me square in the face and said,
“My dear, Pee Cans are in the bathroom! The correct way to say it is pecans.” (it sounds like pecons)
I always say it like a southerner now, along with hey, cut it on, cut it off, the power bill (electric bill), and a whole lot of other pronunciations that are distinct to the southern region of the US.
Ya’ll should come visit to see what I mean and bring Me Maw, Pe Paw, Sissy, Bubba, and the younguns. I’ll carry ya’ll to visit this wonderful part of our country.