South Carolina slang runs on marsh tides, tailgate lore, and rice-pot wisdom your granny measures by feel. If these ring a bell, you didn’t just swing through—you’ve tracked moon phases for oyster roasts and know which porch ceilings keep the haints out.
803 / 843 / 864
Area-code identity: Midlands, Coast, and Upstate. Folks wear these digits like team colors.
Binyah / Cumyah
Gullah Geechee for “been here” (local) vs. “come here” (newcomer). Said with pride and a side-eye, depending.
Haint blue
That robin’s-egg paint on porch ceilings to ward off spirits and skeeters. A Lowcountry tradition with SPF-for-the-soul energy.
Chicken bog
Horry County classic: rice, chicken, sausage—comfort in a pot. If it’s not glossy with broth, send it back.
Perloo (perlo/perlou)
Lowcountry rice pilau loaded with shrimp, chicken, or whatever’s fresh. Your auntie’s is the best—don’t argue.
Red rice
Gullah Geechee tomato-rich rice (kin to jollof). Shows up beside fried fish and church gossip.
Oyster roast (cluster shuck)
Winter party where steamers hit clusters and conversation hits stride. Knife, glove, cracker, repeat.
Boiled peanuts
Roadside “hot nuts” in briny bliss. Jug in the cup holder, shells on the floorboard, happiness secured.
The Ravenel / Bridge Run
Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge and the spring 10K over it. “You running the Ravenel?” = cardio plus selfies.
Shem
Shem Creek shorthand (Mount Pleasant): dolphins at dinner and a kayak you swear you’ll use more.
Willy B
Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia. If “2001” hits and towels spin, you’ve arrived.
Howard’s Rock / The Hill
Clemson rite: touch the rock, sprint the hill, lose your voice. That’s church.
IOP / Sullie’s / Folly / HHI
Beach shorthand: Isle of Palms, Sullivan’s Island, Folly Beach (Edge of America), Hilton Head Island. Pick your sand and your sandwich shop.
Beaufort (BYOO-fert)
Say it right or admit you’re from “the other one” in NC (BOH-fert). Locals keep score.
Palmetto bug
The “don’t scream, just shoe” roach; often accompanied by
that RSVP to every sunset…