topic Re: Regional Expression from Tennessee? in Community Chat

Regional Expression from Tennessee?

PickyPicky3 — Sun, 17 Jul 2022 20:00:06 GMT

I love language, and so do many people here. Today I heard an interview with a musician from TN who had made some bad choices when he was young concerning drugs and crime. When he got out of prison, he was able to find success in a new career.

He described what happened as "I caught a criminal charge. And then another. And then I caught a few more..."

I've never heard "I got arrested" expressed in this way. To me it downplays the seriousness of what he did (he didn't give details). Is this regional or a different generation? Prison language?

Re: Regional Expression from Tennessee?

deepwaterdotter — Sun, 17 Jul 2022 20:22:25 GMT

I used to work with a woman who referred to getting arrested as "catching a charge". She grew up in Georgia, so it may be a southern 'turn of phrase'?

Re: Regional Expression from Tennessee?

Trailrun23 — Sun, 17 Jul 2022 20:11:46 GMT

I lived in Tennessee for 20 years and never heard that phrase used before. I think there are lots of local or regional phrases and many even within those. My brother married a girl from Mississippi. She always says she is going to "carry me" to the store if she is driving. We all have lots of local phrases through the country.

Re: Regional Expression from Tennessee?

kittyloo — Sun, 17 Jul 2022 20:12:25 GMT

IMO its not a regional expression. If you are of the seedy element, and getting hauled in on a regular basis, or questioned etc. i think it's terminology one might use.

i guess you could get charged with a list of things, but they could only prove one? so just because you were charged with robbery, breaking and entering, speeding, and discharge of a firearm, if you only are get prosecuted for one of them, thats the one you caught.

Re: Regional Expression from Tennessee?

proudlyfromNJ — Sun, 17 Jul 2022 20:14:53 GMT

I caught a cold.

Re: Regional Expression from Tennessee?

millieshops — Sun, 17 Jul 2022 20:31:54 GMT

I've never heard it - could it be an expression common among those who have "caught a charge"?

Re: Regional Expression from Tennessee?

smoochy — Sun, 17 Jul 2022 20:34:52 GMT

I’ve only every heard it on COPS and The First 48. It’s used by the ppl who get arrested.

Re: Regional Expression from Tennessee?

RedTop — Sun, 17 Jul 2022 20:39:16 GMT

I'm in WV, and have never heard this expression. Here it's more "I was charged with ______".

I suspect it's how the offenders refer to their actions when incarcerated.

Re: Regional Expression from Tennessee?

Love my grandkids — Sun, 17 Jul 2022 20:39:50 GMT

I've heard it for years and live on the west coast.

Re: Regional Expression from Tennessee?

PhilaLady1 — Sun, 17 Jul 2022 20:57:41 GMT

As another poster said, I too have only heard this expression on Cops or some such TV show.

Re: Regional Expression from Tennessee?

SloopJohnB — Sun, 17 Jul 2022 21:03:41 GMT

I've never heard the expression per se, but my take on it is that they "got caught". They probably did the misdeeds many a time, but unfortunately for them they finally got caught, hence they caught a criminal charge. 👮

Re: Regional Expression from Tennessee?

violann — Sun, 17 Jul 2022 21:19:34 GMT

@PickyPicky3 wrote:
I love language, and so do many people here. Today I heard an interview with a musician from TN who had made some bad choices when he was young concerning drugs and crime. When he got out of prison, he was able to find success in a new career.

He described what happened as "I caught a criminal charge. And then another. And then I caught a few more..."

I've never heard "I got arrested" expressed in this way. To me it downplays the seriousness of what he did (he didn't give details). Is this regional or a different generation? Prison language?

We hear "I caught a break" fairly often in the north central Atlantic. I would guess it's similar usage.
just call me "seedy" I guess.

Re: Regional Expression from Tennessee?

Tinkrbl44 — Sun, 17 Jul 2022 22:14:21 GMT

@PickyPicky3 wrote:
I love language, and so do many people here. Today I heard an interview with a musician from TN who had made some bad choices when he was young concerning drugs and crime. When he got out of prison, he was able to find success in a new career.

He described what happened as "I caught a criminal charge. And then another. And then I caught a few more..."

I've never heard "I got arrested" expressed in this way. To me it downplays the seriousness of what he did (he didn't give details). Is this regional or a different generation? Prison language?

@PickyPicky3

ITA, and it sounds like he really didn't take responsibility for the part he played in that crime.

More like, gee, how'd that happen. Like I caught a cold, or a mosquito bite, or just a bad break .... the mentality could explain a lot about repeat offenders.

Re: Regional Expression from Tennessee?

Goldengate8361 — Sun, 17 Jul 2022 22:52:10 GMT

I am a Tennessean. That's not a Tennessean phrase. Incorrect use of language occurs in all 50 states....or have you not noticed? LOL

Re: Regional Expression from Tennessee?

PuppyLoverBob666 — Sun, 17 Jul 2022 23:07:17 GMT

I worked at a business, that was headquarted in Tennesse, for 2 years. I caught some of their regional expressions and was charmed and amused by them, and picked up a few myself.

Years and years ago I watched the movie "Gettysburg" (hope I spelled that right) and the one expression I liked and adopted myself was from when a character was thrown from his horse, and General Longstreet asked him how he was. In that charming accent, he replied, "I'm tolerable, sir".

I've also heard some expressions from people who weren't necessarily southerners but definitely country people, and I couldn't repeat some of them here but they sure were amusing--and I say that in a good way, not critical.

Re: Regional Expression from Tennessee?

PuppyLoverBob666 — Sun, 17 Jul 2022 23:08:20 GMT

@proudlyfromNJ wrote:
I caught a cold.

lol!

Re: Regional Expression from Tennessee?

BExplorer — Mon, 18 Jul 2022 01:42:49 GMT

I am from Illinois and work in the criminal justice system. Yes, that is common language used by those who have been arrested.

Re: Regional Expression from Tennessee?

Hippiified — Mon, 18 Jul 2022 02:09:28 GMT

This southerner has never heard it.

Re: Regional Expression from Tennessee?

PickyPicky3 — Mon, 18 Jul 2022 03:42:20 GMT

@BExplorer When you hear this phrase used, is it a simple equivalent of "I got arrested"? Or, as has been discussed here, does it have undertones of "a bad break" or "bad luck that I got caught"?

Do you associate it more with people who are from the South?

It's interesting that so few of us have actually ever heard it. And with all the police dramas on TV, shame on those scriptwriters who have ignored this authentic convict usage.

Re: Regional Expression from Tennessee?

Zernia Rose — Mon, 18 Jul 2022 03:47:39 GMT

Another variant of the Tennessee phrase is "caught a bid." The phrase need not imply criminality; context matters. Some who work in stocks use a phrase that is interchangeable in urban/hip hop culture, making it a great example for the multiple uses of words/phrases that vary across region, time, gender, etc. "Caught a bid" in investment can mean a stock has increased in value among some. Caught a bid/case means someone has an arrest and/or received jail/prison time.