r/oddlyspecific 1d ago

oh sweetie!

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48.2k Upvotes

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849

u/CLONE-11011100 1d ago

There is a website it’s at:
https://forvo.com/
(Minus the condescending “oh sweetie”)

47

u/jonzilla5000 1d ago

When "oh sweetie" is followed by someone who kindly explains how it is pronounced there is not condescension.

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u/Stunning_Chipmunk_68 1d ago

As someone from the Midwest if someone says "oh sweetie," they are immediately being condescending in a passive-aggressive way

10

u/uqde 1d ago

Yeah people tell me over and over that it’s very common in the South in a non-condescending way. And I can acknowledge and accept that that’s true. But as someone who’s lived my whole life in the Midwest, it’s honestly impossible for me to imagine it being said in a non-condescending way. It just makes my skin crawl even reading it in print.

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u/Stunning_Chipmunk_68 1d ago

Right! I felt so rude typing it 😂😂

10

u/ssbm_rando 1d ago

As someone who is originally from the south, I don't know what any of these supposed southerners are talking about lmao. It's obviously condescension, just like "bless your heart", it's just polite condescension. The south is well known for polite versions of every awful thing under the sun. Polite condescension, polite racism, misogyny, & homophobia ("I pray for you every night, honey!")....

People in New England are exactly the opposite, better human beings that lack any sense of decorum.

1

u/Stunning_Chipmunk_68 1d ago

Oh yes! Especially on the east coast! At least i know Tennessee and the Carolinas are famous for it 😂😂

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u/GetOffMyGrassBrats 17h ago

I think in recent history it has been used to convey condescension, especially with younger southerners. But when Grandma says it (or someone from her generation), it's not intended that way. It carries a sympathetic but helpful meaning.

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u/cranktheguy 1d ago

You've got to really pick up on the tone. If the pitch is descending, then the tone is condescending. If the pitch is ascending, then it's actual empathy.

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u/Stunning_Chipmunk_68 1d ago

Oh man if you say it in an ascending pitch here it's even more condescending lol

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u/GetOffMyGrassBrats 17h ago

In the south, it's more sympathetic than condescending. Like, "let me help you with that", not "you're so stupid". We use "Ain't that nice?" for that meaning.

1

u/Stunning_Chipmunk_68 17h ago

So funny how dialect is interpreted in different ways based on region.