1. In Alabama Houndstooth Is The New Black
The houndstooth pattern is always in style in Alabama, dating back to the pattern worn on the hat of legendary Alabama coach Paul “Bear” Bryant. During his 25 years at the school, he led the team to 6 national championships and 13 conference titles, giving fans a real reason to pay homage to him at every game.
2. RC Doesn’t Just Stand For Remote Controlled
Alabamans love Royal Crown Cola, RC for short. Most locals put its flavor at a weird spot in between Pepsi and Coca-Cola, the best of both worlds.
3. Moon Pies Are Heaven On Earth
The perfect combination of chocolate, marshmallow, and graham, Alabamans have a hard time stopping at just one moon pie.
4. “Roll Tide” Is The “Ahola” Of Alabama
It’s the “hello” and “good bye” of every Crimson Tide fan and it’s completely normal to hear it called out as people enter and leave a room. When in doubt, just let out “ROOOOOLLLLL TIIIDE” in a thunderous roar.
5. Unless You’re In War Eagle Territory
A civil war rages in Alabama between the Alabama backers and the Auburn fans, at times leaving houses divided. In some places, “roll tide” is simply the quickest way to get a fist in the face. In these parts, “War Eagle” is the common greeting.
6. In Alabama Big Events Are Planned Around Football Games
Whether it’s a wedding or even the birth of a child, Alabamans tend to plan their lives around football season. They’d do almost anything not to miss the big game.
7. The Mullet Toss Has Nothing To Do With Hair In Alabama
At home on the Florida/Alabama state line, the annual mullet toss consists of people throwing mullet fish from Florida across the state line into Alabama at this FloraBama interstate beach party.
8. No, Forrest Gump Wasn’t A Real Person
An out-of-towner might be crushed, but they should know that Forrest wasn’t a real person. And that the movie wasn’t filmed in Alabama. And that the town he’s “from” doesn’t even exist.
9. It’s Perfectly Normal For An Alabaman To Run To The Pig
Piggly Wiggly stores are the lovable grocery staple in Alabama. It definitely has the best name and mascot of any chain supermarket around.
10. Everything Tastes Better After A Trip To The Deep Fryer
An Alabaman has eaten almost every staple of their diet fried at one point or another, whether it’s turkey, cornbread, green tomatoes, or their favorite dessert. No food group is missed.
11. To Alabamans Lunch Is Dinner, Dinner Is Supper
Older Alabamans say tons of things that most out-of-towners will never have a chance of understanding. One of which, is the way they call the afternoon meal “dinner” and a later meal “supper.” If someone’s visiting, it will probably confuse them at first, but they’ll eventually get the hang of it.
12. To Folks In Alabama Barbecue Sauce Is Best When It’s White
A local favorite, Big Bob Gibson’s White Sauce is one of the strangest condiments a barbecue lover can encounter. Don’t let the color throw you off though, this all-purpose sauce goes great on nearly any cooked meat, giving it a uniquely tangy, peppery kick.
13. Don’t Be Offended By The Pantless Vulcan In Birmingham
The state’s largest city is home to a giant statue of a 56 foot tall Roman god statue on top of a 123 foot pedestal, stretching over 175 feet into the sky. Unfortunately, his buttocks seems to be uncovered, so the suburb of Homewood is perpetually being mooned.
14. There’s No Singular Word For “Grits”
But then again, you’d never want just one grit anyways. This is a delicious staple of the area that never gets old. For an extra kick, melt some cheese on top of your grits pile before diggin’ in!
15. Alabamans Know The Truth, Mardi Gras Didn’t Start In New Orleans
Every Alabaman takes pride in knowing that they’re home to “the real Mardi Gras.” Contrary to popular belief, Mardi Gras actually started in Mobile, Ala. in 1703, making it the oldest carnival celebration in America.
16. The Unclaimed Baggage Center Makes For The Ultimate Thrift Shop
Ever wonder where all of the unclaimed and lost airline bags end up? The infamous baggage graveyard is nestled right in Scottsboro, Ala. at the Unclaimed Baggage Center, where it’s possible to buy other peoples lost stuff. It sounds shady, but it’s 100 percent legal.
17. No, The Summer Humidity Never Stops
An out-of-towner will never get used to the Alabama heat, and they’ll complain about it at least several times a day. The humidity never stops during the warm months and there’s not really a great way to beat it besides blasting the A/C on max all day long.
18. The Mosquito Is Basically The Alabama State Bird
Along with the humidity come swarms of mosquitos. Make sure an out-of-towner stays fully stocked on bug spray, as a few nasty bites can ruin a trip before it really even starts.
19. The Only Tea Worth Drinking Is Sweet And Cold
In Alabama, there’s an unwritten rule that governs how tea is consumed, it must be extremely sweet, and it must be ice cold. The only time an Alabama drinks hot tea is if they’re very sick, and even then it’s a stretch.
20. Clanton Peaches Are Better Than Any Georgia Ones. Sorry… Not Sorry
Every Alabaman knows that their peaches are the best in the country. Their mouth starts to water as soon as they pass the giant water tower peach in Clanton.
21. That Loud Siren Means A Tornado Is Coming
The ring of the storm sirens is a pretty regular occurrence in ’Bama. While it’s really the government urging locals to take cover, an Alabaman can’t help themselves from wandering outside to check out the storm, often with a beer in hand.
22. Sometimes You Have To Earn Your Bread
Alabama is home to the nationally famous Lambert’s Café, “Home of the Throwed Rolls.” If you want to eat a roll, you’ve got to catch it first. They’re also home to tons of awesome bottomless food. Patrons usually have to be rolled out of the establishment when they’re finished eating.
23. A Prediction Of A Couple Inches Of Snow Sends The State Into Shock
If the weatherman says a snow or ice storm might be headed towards an Alabaman town, expect all of the grocery essentials like bread, milk, and toilet paper to suddenly disappear off of the shelves. Pray that the snow doesn’t stick to the roads, if it does, Alabama basically turns into one big traffic jam.
24. Cow Chips Aren’t Beef Flavored Fried Potatoes
In other parts of the country, it’s known as a cow chip, but regardless of the name, it’s cow poop. If you’re walking anywhere near a farm in Alabama, it’s always best to watch where you step.
25. Ranch Makes Everything Better
Another white, fix-all condiment that Alabamans are crazy about, ranch dressing has an uncanny ability to make absolutely anything taste better. They hate to admit it, but Alabamans tend to be a little snobby when it comes to ranch, they won’t settle for less than the best.
26. Alabamans Are Locked And Loaded
There are a lot of hunters in Alabama, which means lots of guns. It’s normal to see gun racks on vehicles, especially in more rural areas. If an out-of-towner is from a big city, this might be a bit shocking at first.
27. In Alabama All Soda Is Coke
In Alabama, Coke is more than just a brand, its slang for literally any soda a restaurant offers. The normal exchange goes as follows: “What do you want to drink, hun?”… “Coke!”…. “What type?”… “I’ll take an RC.”
28. The Yellowhammer Isn’t A Tool
Alabama is the only state to have a woodpecker as its state bird, also known as the northern flicker. Don’t worry about a yellowhammer’s pecking waking you up, they tend to forage on the ground instead of break into trees.
29. Besides College Football, NASCAR Is the Only Sport That Matters In Alabama
With several huge races in Alabama, locals love a day at the track. It’s a great excuse to drink some beer and maybe catch a crazy accident.
30. Our L.A. Isn’t Your L.A.
In Alabama, the term “L.A.” tends to get thrown around a lot. It’s not referring to the city thousands of miles away, here it’s referring to the “Lower Alabama” region.
31. “Sweet Home Alabama” Never Gets Old
Source: Youtube user Griffin Stocks
An Alabaman might pretend they’re sick of the song, but every time the Lynyrd Skynyrd classic comes pumping through the speakers, they can’t help but sing along and glow with Alabaman pride.
What have you had to explain to out-of-towners about Alabama? Tell us in the comments below!
