There are some phrases we Alabamians hear all the time and more than a few that truly annoy us. It’s been nearly 10 years since I initially wrote this list, so I changed it up a little to reflect the changing times.

Tell me what you’d add to the list by emailing [email protected].

There is no such thing. College football is serious. Now pick a side so we can get down to business.

Say something so I can hear it again. Just because we say things like “dah-lin” or “nekkid” or “front porch swang” doesn’t mean we’re cute … or stupid. It just means our responses sound deceptively sweet, as in “Bless your heart, you’re so clueless.”

Puh-leeze! Alabama is home to NASA, world-class medical facilities at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, bio-tech research, aerospace engineering, a Robotics Technology Park and all kinds of cultural activities such as the Shakespeare Festival. Yes, we know who Shakespeare was. Some of us can even quote him.

Say what? There is no barbecue like Alabama barbecue…and white sauce proves it.

No, we are genteel. There’s a difference. Look it up.

We do own shoes. Most of the time, we even wear them, especially when the sign on the door says to.

Like we haven’t heard that before. Yes, it’s humid here. That’s why our skin looks so dewy.

Oh no you didn’t. Space Camp was created in Huntsville, Ala., were the main facility remains today.

Nope. The real Mardi Gras is the first Mardi Gras, which was held in Mobile, Ala., in 1703, years before New Orleans was even founded.

Um, no.

Catch us before we faint. It can only refer to the legendary Nick Saban, former football coach at the University of Alabama and the Greatest of All Time.

Ever hear of Harper Lee? Truman Capote? Zora Neale Hurston? Winston Groom? Fannie Flagg? Rick Bragg? We could go on for days…

Yep, we’ve not only got them, they are some of the best beaches in the nation. White sand, warm oceans, great food and plenty of activities and entertainment.

The heck you say. Leave Papa Smurf alone!

That’s like saying MeeMaw (Granny, Nana, Nonnie) is gross – and you don’t want to take that risk.