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Slang
1. The Ledge — One of many nicknames, some nicer than others, for the Gannett-owned daily statewide newspaper, based in Jackson. The Ledge is the name of The Clarion-Ledger‘s internal staff newsletter.
2. Melonheads — Conservative talk-show host Kim Wade (of WJNT-FM) came up with this nickname for ardent supporters of Mayor Frank Melton.
3. The Rez — Many people call the Ross Barnett Reservoir simply “The Rez,” perhaps because it is so painful to constantly call the name of a white supremacist. JFP Publisher Todd Stauffer is leading a one-man campaign to change the reservoir’s name to the Eudora Welty.
4. Chimneyville — The longtime nickname of Jackson. Yes, Grant burned us three times during the War Between the States (the preferred name for the Civil War south of the Mason-Dixon). True rebels prefer the “War of Northern Aggression.”
5. N-Jam Club — The nickname JFP editor Donna Ladd gave to conservative Jackson men who belittle anything and everything progressive. It is short for “The North Jackson Angry Men’s Club.” Members, however, aren’t always from North Jackson. It’s more a state of mind.
6. Fondrazon — N-JAMMERS’ nickname for the JFP editor. Presumably, it’s a fusion between Fondren and Amazon, and is meant to be an insult.
7. Jacktown, Jackteezy — Jackson’s urban street name. It has the added benefit of sounding a bit less like the city’s named for a leader of brutal assaults on Native Americans.
8. Sludgehammer — The tool of choice for homes deemed crackhouses by Mayor Frank Melton, pronounced just as it’s spelled.
9. “Evil intent” — The antiquated legal standard Judge Joe Webster allowed the mayor’s attorney to use in order to get Melton acquitted of destroying the Ridgeway duplex in 2005. Or, alternatively, the name of the bad TV movie that inevitably will be made about Melton’s mayoral term in Jackson.
10. “Virden Dishin” — How locals say Virden Addition.
11. “Democrat” — This word is often used as a substitute for “black person” in Mississippi, as in: “A Democrat moved in down the street.” When used in such a way, it is meant in a disparaging way. Always respond with “How do you know he or she is a Democrat?” Pause and wait for uncertain stuttering in response to your question.
12. ”Ridgeway” — This was just a street name until July 2005, when Mayor Frank Melton led an entourage to destroy a duplex in the Virden Addition. “Remember Ridgeway” will inevitably become as important a historical phrase as “Remember the Alamo.”
13. Capitol Street Gang — The nickname for the old white power bloc that used to run the city of Jackson.
14. Mill Street Posse — A newer nickname, created by JFP editor Donna Ladd, for the black power base centered around the Jackson Advocate, Councilman Kenneth Stokes and now Mayor Frank Melton.
15. Brown Society — A disparaging “society” created by now-deceased Jackson Advocate owner/editor Charles Tisdale for African Americans whom he believed worked too closely with white people. Charter members have included the city’s first black mayor, Harvey Johnson Jr. and Councilmen Leslie McLemore and Marshand Crisler.
16. Tote-Sum store - Another name for a convenience store. When you buy things, you get to Tote-Sum stuff away.
17. Nabs - Prepackaged snacks such as peanut butter crackers and those little hexagonal cheese crisps.
18. Sikes - Briarwood Mart Package Liquor Store located on Old Canton across from old Precinct 4. The Sikes’ family owned the store for many years before the recent purchase by Nathan and Lesley McHardy.
19. Drunk Wiki-ing — The practice of returning to the bars and signing onto Jackpedia to what other drunks have posted. Variation of drunk-blogging perfected by JFP readers.
20. Whut it dew? - slang for “what’s happening”, “how are you?”, “where are going?”, “what is that?”, “who is that?”, “where is that?”....you get the picture.
21. “What’s up Jack” - acknowledging a Jacksononian upon contact.
22. Kinfolk good - means, this person is ok to deal with and they are not shady.
23. NoFo and SoFo — North and South Fondren.
