   Hear "Taxi"in a Southern AccentIn Southern speech, taxi often keeps its crisp consonants but carries a little extra punch on the first syllable. You’ll hear TACK-see /ˈtæk.si/ ~ /ˈtæɡ.si/ - short, clear, and a touch brighter than the flatter Northern "tack-see." The vowels stay open, giving it that easy, spoken rhythm. Say It Like a Southerner
Regional NoteSouthern accents vary widely from state to state and even holler to holler. The examples here reflect speech patterns common to rural Kentucky, Arkansas, Tennessee, western North Carolina, north Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Texas, and aren't meant to represent lowland or coastal "Deep South" varieties. Nor are the examples perfect - accents can be hyper-regional. They're provided for curious learners, actors and content creators, and ESL speakers who want a friendly introduction to authentic pronunciation. Learn more on the Southern Accent hub page. | ...
About Created by The Hillbilly Dude, this site is a growing field guide to culture, speech, memory, and meaning - rooted in Appalachia but reaching across the world. Every slang word, saying, accent and story is gathered from first-hand experience and trusted sources. The goal: preserve authentic voices and share them with writers, learners, and culture lovers everywhere - with a little humor thrown in here and there. Read more... |
Hit the first syllable a little harder - "TACK"- and keep the second short and clean. Southerners tend to open the vowel slightly, giving the word more color without slowing it down.