You’ll Catch More Flies with Honey than with Vinegar

You’ll catch more flies with honey than with vinegar means kindness and sweetness persuade people more effectively than harshness or anger. It is widely used in the South but did not originate in Southern or Appalachian speech.

#Southernish

Hillbilly Dude Says...

'You’ll get more flies with honey than with vinegar' is one you probly heard your Southern grandmother say, but it's pretty common all over.

Hillbilly Dude Says...

'You’ll get more flies with honey than with vinegar' is one you probly heard your Southern grandmother say, but it's pretty common all over.

Pronunciation

[you'll katch more FLYZ with HUN-ee than with VIN-ih-gur]
/juːl kætʃ mɔːr flaɪz wɪð ˈhʌni ðæn wɪð ˈvɪnɪɡər/

Meaning & Usage

- Kindness is more effective than harshness (proverb)

Mama:

Don’t fuss at ’em, darlin’. You’ll catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.

Carla:

Alright" I’ll try being nice first.

- Encouraging diplomacy or soft persuasion

Dean:

Think she’ll help me if I complain again?

Judy:

Try kindness. Honey works better than vinegar every time.

★ When a Southern elder says this, they’re usually nudgin’ you toward charm, manners, and diplomacy-Southern problem-solvin’ 101. ★

Origin

This proverb traces back to early European wisdom literature, appearing in 17th-century English and continental writings about courtesy and persuasion. It entered American English through general proverb tradition, not through Southern dialect.

Its popularity in the South stems from cultural emphasis on politeness, tact, and "nice gets farther than mean," but the phrase itself is not originally Southern.

Verdict: Southernish - loved in the South, but imported from older European proverb traditions.

Notes

Common in Southern homes, churches, and workplaces, especially as gentle advice.
Often spoken by elders, usually women, giving life lessons on persuasion or kindness.
Shared across the entire English-speaking world-not region-specific.
Fits naturally into Southern storytelling and moral teaching, which boosts its association with the region.

Common Questions

Does this proverb come from the South?

No. It originated in European proverb traditions and spread widely across English-speaking cultures.

Why do Southerners use it so much?

Because it aligns with Southern values of courtesy, charm, and soft-spoken persuasion.

Does it literally refer to catching flies?

No-it’s a metaphor. Sweetness gets a better response than sourness.

Is there a shorter version?

Yes-people often say, "More flies with honey."

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, November 27). You’ll Catch More Flies with Honey than with Vinegar. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southernish/youll-catch-more-flies-with-honey-than-with-vinegar
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "You’ll Catch More Flies with Honey than with Vinegar." HillbillySlang.com, 27 Nov. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southernish/youll-catch-more-flies-with-honey-than-with-vinegar.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "You’ll Catch More Flies with Honey than with Vinegar." HillbillySlang.com. November 27, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southernish/youll-catch-more-flies-with-honey-than-with-vinegar.