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Kiss My Grits!

Kiss my grits! is a southernish catchphrase meaning "forget what you just said/ordered/demanded". Popularized by the character Flo on the 1970s sitcom Alice, it uses the Southern comfort food "grits" for comedic effect.

#Southernish  

Hillbilly Dude Says...
I'm old enough to remember hearin' 'kiss my grits!' on TV. But that's where it came from. 
Hillbilly Dude Says...
I'm old enough to remember hearin' 'kiss my grits!' on TV. But that's where it came from. 

Pronunciation

[KISS my GRITS]
/kɪs maɪ ɡrɪts/

Meaning & Usage

- A snappy dismissal or "in your face" response (pop-culture expression)

Mel:
I don’t think you’re up to this job.
Flo:
Kiss my grits! I’ve done it before.

Origin

The phrase was brought into popular American vernacular by the sitcom Alice (CBS, 1976-1985). The character Flo, a sassy Southern waitress, repeatedly used the line "Kiss my grits!" as a humorous comeback. Though grits are a very Southern food, the phrase itself was created for television rather than emerging from oral folk tradition.

Verdict: Southernish. Sounds Southern and uses Southern imagery, but it’s a modern entertainment-creation rather than a genuine regional proverb.

Notes

  • Used playfully-sometimes mockingly-as a light insult or dismissal.
  • Often cited when referencing 1970s or 1980s TV culture or Southern comfort food jokes.
  • Less likely to be heard in serious Southern dialect conversation; more common as a humorous throwback.

Related Pages

Common Questions

What does "Kiss my grits!" mean?
It means something like "forget what you just said" or "give me a break"-a humorous dismissal.
Is it a Southern saying?
Not originally-it comes from a sitcom-but it uses Southern imagery and tone.
Why "grits"?
Because grits are a well-known Southern dish, the phrase uses it for comedic local color.
Do people actually say this in the South now?
Occasionally, mostly as a nostalgic or humorous reference rather than everyday dialect.

How to Cite This Page

  • APA (7th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, October 27). Kiss My Grits!. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southernish/kiss-my-grits
  • MLA (9th edition)
    "The Hillbilly Dude." "Kiss My Grits!." HillbillySlang.com, 27 Oct. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southernish/kiss-my-grits.
  • Chicago (17th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. "Kiss My Grits!." HillbillySlang.com. October 27, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southernish/kiss-my-grits.
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