The first time I heard the word, “sursy”, I had recently moved to South Carolina and someone brought me a candle and called it a sursy.
A what?
A sursy.
What’s a sursy?
I recently had this conversation with a new co-worker, who moved here from Denver, Colorado just a few months ago.
She’d never heard of the word either.
So of course, like a good southern lady, I told her what a sursy is.
First, I googled it, so she wouldn’t think I totally made up this somewhat-of-a-silly-sounding word.
The urban dictionary {as opposed to the SUBurban…} states that a sursy is: a term commonly used in the South to denote a small, unexpected gift…for no special occasion, particularly to show affection or thanks.
Now, I am from the South. I am southern, born and bred. But I’m telling y’all, I’d never heard this word, ever before until South Carolina came into my life.
Of course now, I love to use the word. The word itself just sounds friendly. For those of you who don’t know, it’s pronounced like “sir see”. I enjoy finding little sursies to gift to friends or coworkers.
When Andrew and I were in our pre-marital counseling we discovered that neither of us was {is?!} a good gift giver…as in giving sursies…unexpected gifts. Sure, we’re great at the birthday, anniversary, the um, important dates. But not really the unexpected.
And as I write this I’m thinking that I probably need to find a sursy for him…because he’s not gotten a sursy in a while. hmm.
Anyhew, back to everyone else! ha!
The key to the sursy is that it’s unexpected. And inexpensive. For me it’s the something that says to the recipient, “hey, I saw this today, thought of you and wanted you to have it.”
It can be a small candle {like I received}, a pretty little trinket holder, a neat/unique pack of notes. I even gave someone some witty post-it notes once because this particular coworker had post its lining the shelf above his head.
I don’t give sursies often…that’s what makes them unexpected! And I wait for things to speak to me. Kind of like the Pier One commercials where the birds or the gnomes start talking to the lady shopping.
Ok, I know I sound crazy now. But take today for example. I saw a pretty little dish with a fabulous little saying on it and thought, “that’s perfect for…!”
I didn’t hesitate. I grabbed it, put something I had for me in my hand, back on the shelf and made my little purchase. And yes, I’ll take the gift wrapping because I want that tiny little rosette!!
Y’all. It’s way more fun to give!!! Who’s going to get your next sursy?!
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Great explanation! I first heard of sursies in college (Columbia College). I love giving them to my friends and coworkers. Not many of my coworkers know what a sursy is. This explains it so well! Thank you!
I had never heard of a sursy until our friend Bonnie and your mom used it and I have lived in South Carolina my entire life. So glad they enlightened me. Your mom taught me lots of things I didn’t know. So glad for her knowledge and friendship .
Hi JoAnn, thank you for your comment! The sursy is definitely an interesting word – I’m glad you’ve been able to share it with your friends!
I first heard of a sursy at Columbia College as wel!
I was born and bred in Upstate South Carolina. The word was a common part of the vocabulary of my youth, of my school days (a private religious day and boarding school), and my college years at Converse College, a women’s college in Spartanburg, South Carolina. While I have often heard the word’s origin goes back to Charleston, it was a normal part of every day language in the Upstate of South Carolina. I don’t know if it as commonly used all over the state, but my experience is that is part the Charleston coastal vocabulary, part of area surrounding our capital city, Columbia, and part of the Upstate areas where I grew up.
I am always surprised to encounter others unfamiliar with the word, and would love to learn more regarding its origins and where it is most commonly used.
Cathy, Thanks so much for your comments! Sursies just make life more fun…I’m glad your a sursy-giver!
I also herd this term for the first time at Columbia College too!! Weird! I loved the idea then and now as it is very much in line with my love language for others!
Hi Sam! I am glad to know that YOU are a gift giver – and that you know it is your love language for others! What a wonderful thing to know how you most enjoy showing love towards others. Thank you for your sweet comment and for stopping by!
I also had never heard of a surcie until I went to Columbua College. Always happy to find a CC sister
I am so glad this word has come up. I learned this word in college from a good friend, Pam. She loved to give surcys even if it was a stick of chewing gum. Now, I’m born and bred in NC, but nobody I know has ever heard this word. I am so glad to see it appeared in this blog. Thank you!
I had never heard of one until I went to Columbia College for a tour and have been enjoying the activity of giving a sursy.
Columbia College in Columbia, S.C. Class of 1949!!!!!!! I do believe sursies originated at “dear old CC.” It’s a southern expression, I feel certain.
I also learned about them at C-square.. Class of ’78
Kathy – there are a lot of you who noted Columbia College (c-sqaure!) – so glad you stopped by a left a note!
I am Southern, born and bred. Have always known what sursies are but I was told it was French for surprise. True or false?
Actually, “surprise” is the French word for surprise! It’s pronounced “soor-preez” (or at least, that’s the closest approximation I can type out here). Quel surprise!
The French word for surprise is… surprise! 🙂 But I, too, had heard that it came from French. Long ago I used to see it spelled circe, which looks much more like something that might have come from French, but I still don’t know what that might be.
Hi Lí and Jess, thank you for your comments! I certainly do not know French {but wish I did!} so I appreciate this bit of knowledge you both have shared with us!
Hi Melissa, I’ve seen a few other comments stating that it is of French origin. I’m researching tonight for further clarification! I hope you enjoyed this post! Thanks for stopping by.
It does mean surprise but I thought it was Latin in origin. I heard this word from a coworker from SC who was n her 60’s. She said it was a “surprise” but like you it meant a small token of appreciation. I use it all the time with my family now.
Hi Cheryl, thank you for your comment! I love this sweet memory that your co-worker introduced you to the sursy and that you now have started your own family tradition! What a blessing!
I have to comment… I was born and raised in South Carolina. I will be 56 in 2 weeks and I had never heard the term sursy until about 10 years ago, when a coworker brought me one. Most southern sayings I’m familiar with, this one was new to me!
Hi Cindy, thank you for your comment! It’s definitely an interesting word, and one that I am finding out a lot of us southerners never knew! Thanks for stopping by!
My husband is from Oxford, MS– they use the term, although it is much more common here. (Greenville– have lived here 20 years.) But I have always seen the spelling “surcy” or “searcy.” (Although I would be surprised if there is a standardized spelling!!) a surcy– however you spell it– is a sweet custom that needs to be revived. They’re better than random texts or likes!
I have always seen the spelling, “surcee!” Have used this word for over 20 years, and I LOVE LOVE LOVE giving and getting surcees! 🙂
Hi Corryn, thank you so much for sharing this with us – the gift is surely in the giving! Although receiving is certainly a treat!
Hi Tricia, thank you for your comments! And I totally agree with you! Giving a sursy (surcy, cercie….) is much more fun than “liking” something or shooting off a text! I’m hoping that this blog post helps to revive the tradition of sweet, unexpected surprises!
My husband’s great aunt always said “the gift is in the giving”. As I get older, the more I understand her wise words! The gift truly is in the giving!
Hi Doris! I absolutely, one hundred percent agree with you and your husband’s great aunt! What joy can come from giving the smallest, but thoughtful gift! Thank you for your comments and for stopping by!
Columbia College had a “surcie shop” where you could go purchase a little surprise for someone!! It’s definitely a C2 thing!! 🙂 every deserves surcies!!
You got that right. CC, class of “68,”
Love that it is still around. CC class of 2014!
Hi Deborah! YAY for shout-outs! And sursies!
Exactly Sherry! Becky Ricks Floyd C2 class of 1974!’
Hi Ally, what a wonderful thing that Columbia College had (has?)! I definitely believe that college students (and teachers!) need sursies (surcies) OFTEN!! Little reminders of encouragement and love.
Thanks for your comments and for sharing this with us!
Agree.. I worked in that shop for Kaye Beard.
We received “surcees” during and at the end of “rat week” when our upperclassman “mentor” was revealed.
I have lived in SC all of my 42 years & I have never heard that word!! Great description & I will be giving them in the near future! Learn something new every day! !!
Hi Lynn, I’m so glad that you were able to learn something new AND fun! I hope you will enjoy as much as I do, giving little sursies to those you love and enjoy. Thanks so much for your comments and for stopping by!
A friend just posted your adorable sursy article to Facebook and, of course, I immediately clicked on it because being a southern girl also, I had not heard this word until moving to Columbia 14 years ago. I thought WOW this is such a cute blog- I MUST click the “about me” to find out who this adorable blogger is. Imagine my surprise when I realized I had already met your adorable self a few weeks ago. What a small world! And thanks for clearing up this sursy mystery! I feel like I have gained my southern street cred back 😉
Hi Kelly! WHAT a small world!!! Thanks so much for your sweet comments! I really appreciate your extremely kind words and yes, you have your street cred back! 😀
It’s actually spelled Cerci, and the definition is: A small gift never asked for. A Southern term used predominately in Columbia, SC. Did research on it before I went to my 50th High School reunion, because I made Cercies for all my classmates and their spouses.
Surcee is a word, used in the South, that is believed to have its origins in the Scotch and Irish who settled in the region. The Scottish word for “surprise” is pronounced much like “surcee” and could be a phonetic form passed down from generation to generation. Another possible origin for the word is from the Irish term “sussie” which means to care.
What great information, Corryn! Thank you for sharing this with our readers. I have very much enjoyed hearing from you and others about where this word could have originated. Wherever it came from, it’s certainly been a blessing! Thank you so much for stopping by and for your comments!
Hi Patti! Thank you for your comments and for the bit of knowledge you have shared with us! What a treat your classmates and their spouses had when they received your sweet gifts!
That’s perfect and I love the idea! I come from northern Maine, so I speak French and know what the word meant.. but it is soooo good to know it’s a southern tradition!
Hi Lori! It is quite a unique word…I hope you enjoy the giving as much as sharing the word with your friends! Thanks for stopping by!
Have used the word, surcie (that is how I always spell it), for years. First heard the word when at college in Raleigh, NC. And yes, I live in Columbia, South Carolina now. Most people look at me in a funny way when I use the word, surcie, to describe a small giftie. I think the word is quite beautiful.
Hi Meredith, I agree in that the word itself is quite lovely! It’s perfectly unique…and usually I get the head cocked to one side, confused look when I use it! Thanks for your comment and for stopping by!
I first heard about Surcies at Columbia College.
Hi Pami, there seem to be several of you from CC – what a small world! I hear that there was (is?) a surcie shop on campus – which I think is fantastic! Thanks for stopping by!
Oh I love sursies!! your explanation is perfect. and yes, I am in SC!
Hi Joan, thank you so much for your comment!
I am a big proponent of sursies and give them often.. They don’t even have to cost money. this, to me, is the best therapy for yourself. It makes you happy, and others happy.. That said, someone once told me that it made them uncomfortable, that they felt they needed to sursie back.. That isn’t how it works and I was sad for that person that that was how she perceived it. Sursies don’t require reciprocal sursies. But you will have the happy desire to give to someone else. Give and be thankful and enjoy every day! pay it forward
Hi Becky! I absolutely agree with you in that it does not need to be reciprocated! I’m sorry this recipient felt that way…but I know a lot of people that don’t! 🙂 Sursies are sweet gifts from the heart, and you’re right, they don’t have to cost a penny. Home-made are the best! Thank you for your sweet comments and for stopping by!
CIRCE | sər sē | an unexpected gift | In The South, a Circe has always been known as ‘an unexpected gift — a special surprise.’
Hi Susan, thank you for this great piece of knowledge! I appreciate you sharing this with us!
I heard of surcey when I was in college but I went to Winthrop. I was told that it is a special gift that you happened to see if you are away from someone you love and you want to let them you were thinking of them.
Hi Helen, I think this is a great explanation…my gifting of sursies is generally for those that I care about, and are a result of having seen something that made me think especially of that individual.
Thanks for your comment!
I first heard the word in college in NC, but from a roommate from SC. I always thought th word was just a cutesy shortening of the word my mom, from Indiana, always used when she brought me something similar-a little surprise.
Hi Amanda, thank you for your comments…now you know! Although, people much smarter than I have posted some really fascinating facts/historical info on the word {see other comments}. I think it’s great that your mom brought your sursies, and I hope you’re carrying on the tradition!
Amanda and Michelle,
I heard the word as a young person in NC. I always thought it was a short, cute way to say surprise too.
I grew up in Chapin, SC. I learned the word sursey in high school. The word itself was a gift from a favorite teacher. I have given sursey’s ever since and it’s delightful!
Hi Jackie, what a wonderful story – thank you so much for sharing with us! I hope those that receive your sweet sursies have enjoyed the gift and word as much as I have. Thank you so much for stopping by!
I have lived in SC all of my 66 years. Tha 1st time I heard “surcy” was in 1968, while a freshman at USC. I was told that it was started by girls at CC. Truth or lore? Based on the previous comments, I say truth.
Hi Nancy, I did see some comments about it staring in Columbia, and at Columbia College. I’ve also seen some really interesting comments {the one above yours, especially} about the Greek Goddess Cerce, that could point to the origination. Either way, it’s a great little word and I hope you’ve enjoyed using it!
I’ve always lived in South Carolina, but I first heard about this sweet word at Carolina in Columbia, also. I was a student there from 1968-1972. We gave surcies to each other especially during exam time.
I am 66 years old and I was born and reared in South Carolina. When I was a child, my Mother would bring me a “sursy” … A surprise gift.
I continued the “sursy” tradition with my two daughters.
In the early 1990s, a poor, pitiful, sick, cat appeared in our backyard. After taking the cat to vet, we became the proud owners of this stray cat.
Our daughter wanted to name her “Sursy”. We had no idea how to spell “Sursy”. We did not have “Google”. Imagine having to look something up in an encyclopedia!
“The Greek Goddess Cerce would travel to other areas and would take surprise gifts”.
When we registered her name at the vet’s office, I told the receptionist the story. I asked if we could name her “Cerce” but spell the name “Cercie”. The receptionist replied, ” you can spell the name anyway you want—she is the only one ever to have that name”.
Sorry that this is so long, but it just warms my soul to know that my grandchildren are ” carrying on the tradition” of “Sursy- Sursie-Cerce-Cercie”….the Greek God of surprise gifts”!
Hi Patricia! This was a really fantastic comment – thank you for sharing your knowledge about the Greek Goddess Cerce – who knew?! Google certainly didn’t pull this up last week when I was playing around with the word! 🙂
What sweet memories, also, that you have of your cat, Cercie – thank you for sharing those comments as well. I love that you gifted her with such a darling name. Thank you so much for all of your comments and here’s to giving sursies (cerces, cercies…)!!
I firstlearned cercies at Winthrop College in 1963. Still love to surprise my friends today.
I learned the word at Tift College in Forsyth, GA. I still love to give and receive sursies.
At Tift it wasn’t unusual to find these little gifts in our mailboxes. (It was usually was something like a candy bar or a sweet note.)
Thanks for sharing this. The article sounds like it could have been written by a Tift girl! 🙂 )
Blessings!
Hi Carolyn! Thank you for your sweet comment – I’m originally from Macon, GA…so not too far from Forsyth! What a wonderful thing, that you would often find sursies in your mailboxes and that you’re still a sursy-giver! Spread the love, dear friend! Thanks so much for stopping by!
I’ve never heard a gift called this before – interesting little word, I might have to try it out :-p
Hi Loretta, yes, try it out!! Your friends might look at you like you’re crazy at first, but just show them this little post and you’ll be a-ok! I hope you enjoy the giving as much as I do!
I was born in Georgetown, SC. I’ve lived here my entire life. I will be 50 in October! I’ve always been given suseys. I can remember even as a child a survey could be something as simple as Grandma taking me to get ice cream. My most treasured sursey was given to me by my mother after my grandmother died, it was her charm bracelet. The last survey I got was from my moma she gave me the diamond cross ring! She told me when I opened it that if I were ever in doubt or felt alone to just look down at my hand and I would know that I would never be alone. So yes Southerners do give and receive sursies and they are very special to us!
Hi Lindsay, happy early birthday (just four more months!!)!! What a wonderful comment to leave on this post. And what precious gifts you have received, indeed! I was especially close to my grandmother as well and was given a pair of her earrings and a bracelet that my grandfather had given her. What sweet memories I know you must have of your grandmother! Thank you so much for sharing with us!
I am 50 and from WV. I live in Lexington now. I have used this word and given surseys (never knew for sure how to spell it) since I can remember. I love to introduce people to this pastime. Puts a smile on everyone’s face!
Hi Carolyn! I’ve seen several different spellings in the comments posted here – thanks everyone! However you spell it, I truly believe that the gift is in the giving…and seeing the look on people’s faces when you say the word! Thanks for your comments and for stopping by!
I was born and have lived in the south (Chattanooga, TN) my entire life of 53 years. I have never heard the term “sursy”, but I know exactly what they are, and I love them! I love getting them and giving them. So much joy!
Hi Anne, now you have a new word to use for all those sweet gifts you’re giving! 🙂 Thank you for your comments and for stopping by!
My grandfather always used that word and often brought me sursies. I used in to my friend in college, not knowing that the whole world didn’t use this word on a regular basis, and she adopted it, too. A decade later she sent me a small box that not only contained a sursey but had the definition on the cover of the box! It stated that the origin of the word was Scotland. Maybe that’s why so many Southerners haven’t heard the word as a child. My family has a strong Scottish heritage and my grandfather likely found it that way. I agree that it is the most heartfelt and sincere gift giving there is. And, I often surprise my daughters with a little sursey, just because.
Hi Mary, thank you for sharing this comment with us! What sweet memories you have of your grandfather and whether you know it or not, you started a tradition with your college friend! I hope the tradition carries on through your own daughters!
My Grandmother is 87 and from Latta, SC. She ALWAYS had “surseys” for my brothers and I when we came to visit as children. She’d hide them on a door knob behind an open door and we’d eagerly run around trying to find them. It was usually something like a Pez Dispenser or matchbox cars. Now she gives them to my 2 and 4 year old girls. I always loved the word and always associated it with my warm and generous grandmother. I’ll have to ask her about it next visit, after my girls find thier sursys 😉 ❤️.
Hi Sara! I love this idea…of hiding the sursy on a doorknob of an open door! What fun you and your brothers must have had racing around trying to find your sweet treat! And I know your daughters must have a joyous time of it now as well. Thank you for sharing this sweet custom with us – and what precious memories you have!
I am from NC and have known about little unexpected gifts for at least a few decades. I had never seen it in print, had heard it was French, and so spelled it serci. The French for surprise makes me see How this could have become serci or sercy or some variation. I do enjoy buying little gifts for those in my life and surprising them. It’s a wonderful tradition!
Hi Gloria, I absolutely agree with you – surprising those you love with little gifts is a wonderful tradition! Thank you for your sweet comment – I hope you can find someone special this week with which to gift a sursy!
I have lived my entire life in South Carolina, 75 this month, and I never heard the word, even though there are people named Searcy living in our area of Pickens County. I have been giving surseys for as long as I can remember, but didn’t know this was what they were called. I just enjoy giving a small gift when the recipient does not expect this. I am in a group of ladies who dine out once a week. It is not unusual for us to give or receive a sursey.
Hi Louise, what sweet comment you have made and happy birthday to you! I hope your birthday is full of sweet surprises and maybe a sursy or two! I love hearing that the group of ladies you dine with are prone to giving sursies – they certainly make life fun!
I have never heard this word, even though my family was part Scotch-Irish and have lived in the South since the 1600’s. We are now Memphians. But I have certainly been the recipient of many sursy’s and have given many myself. I just didn’t know what they were called! I love giving little sursy’s to my 3-year-old granddaughters. My family has always just called them, with half apologies for such a small gift, “little surprises.”
Hi Cary, thank you for sharing this comment with us. I think surprises are wonderful, no matter how small! I am thrilled to read that you give them to your granddaughters! You are carrying on a sweet tradition! Thank you for stopping by!
I am from Oklahoma and never heard of this word. But my Momm’s family from Texas always did this
I used to do it quite a bit but finances have changed.
One thing you didn’t mention are cards. Hardly anyone writes anymore and cards are a great surprise.
Hi Margaret! Thank you for your comment. I stick to the heart of the gift – you don’t have to spend a lot, it’s the gesture that counts. I have a few other posts especially about giving cards: http://camelliasandcopper.com/2014/06/send-me-a-letter/ AND http://camelliasandcopper.com/2015/02/paper-and-crayons/. I am a proponent of card-giving. They are inexpensive {especially if you make them yourself!} and can often pinpoint exactly what you want to say. I really appreciate you stopping by to view my site and I hope you enjoy the posts you’ve read!
I grew up in West Columbia and I’ve heard the term most of my life. I love to give circes. I love to receive circes. I didn’t realize that it was not a common term nor have I seen so much info about it until now. Thanks to everyone for sharing.
Hi Teri! It seems that the word has cause quite a stir! I’ve been thrilled to see all the comments on the possible origin of the word and how others called it. I’m with you, a big thanks to everyone {yourself included!} for sharing!
So ironic that I saw this post! I am a SC girl so I always knew about surcys and I recently gave one to a friend. My daughter said, What is a surly? So I got to explain it to her. I will have to admit that I never knew how to spell it!
Hi Anne! Thank you for your comment. I’ve seen many other ways of spelling the word, in comments here. I personally don’t think it’s the spelling that matters, but rather the giver behind the gift! I’m so glad you’re a sursy giver and now it seems, your daughter might be 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by!
Happy Monday all!
I was born & raised in Greenville, SC and never lived outside of Greenville County until migrating further south to Florida almost 9 years ago when I was in my early 30s. I first heard the word in high school. I distinctly remember a friend greeting me one day with “Hey!! I got you a sursy!” I immediately thought. “a what???” lol. I’ve used it ever since yet can’t remember once that I ever considered its spelling. Anywho – After meeting a new friend in Florida, the same scenario played out as I greeted her one day with, “Hey! I got you a sursy!” She replied much the same as I had so many years before. Wasn’t too long after that, my Floridian friend was a pro sursy giver, spreading the love & meaning of a South Carolinian’s odd, happy little word!
Thanks for encouraging such a positively mood altering gesture!! Now let’s see how many of our new, less southern sursy givers end up saying “y’all”, to boot! Ha!!
Hi Karen! I really enjoyed your comment – you made me smile today! I hope you enjoy giving away some sursies this week – and sharing your sweet, positive attitude – it is contagious!
As a fellow Columbia College graduate, ’09, I first learned of the term my first year as a student. It was the first time I’ve ever heard of such a term and the kind gesture definitely lives on within you. It becomes a part of your philanthropy and yourself.
Hello to all of my fellow Columbia College graduates! Made my day to see this post and to think of the long legacy my lovely alma mater shares with others!
Hi Latoya, thank you for your comment! I agree that once a giver, always a giver…whether of small gifts like sursies or your time/money. Thanks for stopping by!
Loved your article and I too love a sursy, giving and receiving one! It’s been a word in my vocabulary since I was a small child! Thank you for hand-picking your most recent sursy from HandPicked too!
Hi Sonya! Thank you so much for your comment and for sharing sweet gifts with us in your shop! Thank you also for spreading the news of sursies on your own FaceBook page…I hope you get lots of shoppers this week looking for a certain something for certain someones!
I am an Anglican priest serving in Uganda and a CC mom. My family is from SC and I have loved sursies for most of my life. Yes, it is mostly a SC thing, but I give sursies to folks here in Uganda and now they have adopted this custom. Tonight three very young boys brought me three small mangoes, and said, “Suh-see for you, Nana!” It brought tears to my eyes.
Cindy!! What a precious, precious moment you had with these sweet young boys!! Oh, what a delight and treasure they must be! Thank you so very much for both your comment, but your service…and for sharing a sweet tradition with the people in Uganda!
Born and raised in South Louisiana by parents born and raised in South Louisiana, my daddy always called them “sussies”. The tradition of giving sussies has been passed on from my daddy to me and now to my daughter, and we love giving them even while she’s away in college. Thanks for telling others about them and how special they are to give!
Hi Traci! Yes, I agree that they are special to give – especially if the gift is from the heart. Thank you for sharing this sweet memory of your daddy. Enjoy passing those “sussies” on to your daughter!
Wow! Another Traci that spells her name like mine. Not many of us out there.
Born & bred in Southwest Georgia, USA. First heard this word about 45 years ago – having moved to Atlanta. Has been part of my vocabulary ever since!
Hi Rosie! My dad is from Albany…maybe near your hometown? I’d never heard it in all my time in GA…but as soon as I moved to SC I was introduced. Thanks for your comment and I hope you enjoy sharing some sursies this week!
Heard it growing up in Charleston, SC and then again in college at Clemson.
Hi Linda, I definitely think it’s a South Carolina word! Thank you for your comment and for stopping by!
I have never heard that word, but familiar with the concept. In Montgomery, AL, we call them “happys”…fun, unexpected surprises!
Hi Cheri, you certainly have it down pat as a “happy”. I’ve yet to give a sursy where the recipient wasn’t happy! 🙂
I too am from Columbia, SC and not long after my husband and I were married in 1971 he brought me a surcy one day.(That was the first time I had heard the term) It was a small siamese kitten.We named him Sir See.My husband and SirSee are both long gone to heaven but giving surcies makes me happy.
Hi Peggy! Thank you for your comment. What a sweet gift your husband gave you – and I love that you named your kitten Sir See! Thank you for sharing that memory with us!
i grew up in SC and first heard the word’sursey’ as a student at Limestone College in the 60s. Love this tradition!
Hi Janet, yes it is a great tradition! I hope you use it in your own circle of friends and family! Thank you for your comment!
I’m from VA and never heard the term. Maybe we aren’t far enough South. I love it and do that often but now I will call it a sursy. Thanks for enlightening me and the rest of us. What a great Southern tradition!
Hi Diane! Yes, come further south! But don’t…unless you like the humidity! 🙂 I hope you can use the word this week on a friend or family member! Thanks for your comment!
I had never heard the word surly until my mother-in-law brought me one one time and she explained it to me and once in a while I got one and so did she!
Hi Carolyn, what a sweet treasure you have with your mother-in-law! I love hearing the stories of those that they shared this tradition with, yours included. Thank you for your comment!
I first learned about circes at Tift College in Forsyth, Georgia, during the late 70s. I have continued the giving of citces with my children, and they carry on the tradition with their children. One of my grandsons can’t quite understand that you can’t ask for a circe … It must be a surprise!
Hi Barbie! Thank you for your comment and I’m so glad that you have started this sweet tradition with your family, including your grandchildren! I love that you’re also teaching your grandson about the special-ness of a circe…the unexpectedness!
I am from Columbia and I just KNEW when you said you wanted the little rosette that the sursie was from handpicked! I smiled so big when I saw the bag in the picture!
#SCgirlstuckinGA
I am 50 years old and have lived in SC all my life. I was made well aware of sursies about 25 to 30 years ago. I believe your description is a wonderful one… unexpected gifts for friends and loved ones. To me, I prefer something called “Random Acts of Kindness.” This takes the giving to an entirely new level: inviting an elderly widow to your house for a meal on a regular basis, feeding the hungry, clothing the poor, helping build houses for the homeless, and planting community gardens in low income neighborhoods. Who better could use sursies? Be blessed everyone!
I grew up, and still live outside of Charleston, SC. My Mother who was born and raised in Horry County, was who I taught me the word and practice of Sursy (we spelled it Surci) giving. I never heard anyone else using it, and thought it was one of “her words”.
Her thoughful and love filled sursies are one of the things I miss the most since her death. Fortunately, I was blessed with a loving daughter, and we enjoy exchanging the little gifts.
She lives hundreds of miles away, so our little gifts have morphed into boxes filled with little gifts, that frequently are delivered to our porches via FedEx.
It’s wonderful to give and receive some small gift that shows you were thought of, and loved!
I grew up in Clemson, and my mother used this word often. As a small child, I always thought it was spelled “Certs-y” because I associated it with Certs candy. They were a treat, and the Certsy that mother always brought me from trips were like treats. We have a strong Scots background, and it’s been used in my family for years. I always “heard” it came over with them. Excellent article. I thought it was a “family” thing because I’ve never heard it outside the family til now!
My husband’s aunt was where I first heard the word (I always spelled it Sircy). We’re all from Myrtle Beach, but I had never heard it until she said it. Gifts is my love language, so I love giving them!
Hey Allison! Thanks for sharing how you first learned of this word and tradition. I am sure you’re a great sursy (sircy) giver since gifts are your love language! Thanks for stopping by!
My Mother use to use the word for a surprise or small gift even cookies or cakes unexpected. I continued to use the word when I had children. When our daughter was expecting our first grandchild she ask me what I would like to be called. I told her I truly didn’t care just as long as I was called often. Her reply “Well your name will be Surcie.” and that is what I am called by all my grandchildren. My spelling is tad different than what some use.
Hi Norma! Thank you for sharing your sweet story! I love that you are called Surcie by your grandkids – what a perfect name for a grandmother!! Thank you for stopping by!
Hi!
I grew up in Charleston, SC, with a mother who loved sending cards and giving sursies. Our whole family uses the term, but I’ve had to explain what I mean if I give a guy a sursie. They don’t pick up on contextual clues!
Nice post!
I’m a soapmaker in South Carolina. I’d never heard of sursies until a few months ago when I was making guest gifts for a bridal shower a new customer was hosting. I went next door to my neighbor’s house…she owns a little gift boutique…to see what she thought about the labels. She called them sursies. I loved it! I use the term now whenever I market little guest soapies for bridal and baby showers.
my sweet daughter in law first introduced me to sercies when she married our youngest son..She was always coming over bringing me some sweet little gift and saying, here Mama, I brought you a Sercie….I love her as i do all the little Sercies she brings me
My 85 y/o Mother, born & raised in Charleston, SC has used “sercie” since before I was born. She told me that she learned it from their Nanny when she was young. So it’s been around a LONG time. More than likely it made it to Columbia College and other colleges from daughters of monied families with Nannies.
When I was a little girl in South Georgia my daddy came home from a vusiness trip with a sursey…I’ve used it ever since…I love giving…In fact I gave one to a special friend at church today…People look at me funny…even my children and grandchildren use the word…love it..
When I was a little girl in South Georgia my daddy came home from a business trip with a sursey…I’ve used it ever since…I love giving…In fact I gave one to a special friend at church today…People look at me funny…even my children and grandchildren use the word…love it..
First I heard of it was freshman year at Columbia College!!! Loved getting surcies!!!!
I’m a SC native and have known of sursies since college. I went to USC and my roomies and I had the habit of giving them. I’ve done it ever since. My mom is good at it, too.
I even opened a store called The Curio in Spartanburg that was about 70% sursy. 🙂
I also first heard about surcies at Columbia College –60 years ago! Loved them then; love them now.
I love this! I’m a Georgia girl and have never heard of it! I would love for you to link up with us : 10 Happy Days (http://www.akreativewhim.com/sleepless-solo) oh- and I’m a dreams by design user, too!
I would love to link up with you – will send you a message!
Wow — I’d always thought this was a family term inherited from my mother-in-law — a native Floridian. Interesting as I’d never heard any non-family use it.
We always just called them because….because it talked to me, because it made me think of you, because you are so special, because I love you…Mom was from very northern New York and Dad was raised in Texas (born in AZ but raised from about 9 mo in Texas) and never heard them called that. We would find a because anytime from anyone in the family. I still do it for the loved ones. Mom was famous for her because gifts.
I grew up in South Carolina and went to Lander College ( not university then) from 1959-1963. Any time someone went downtown, we always told them to bring us a sursey.. (Until tonight, I hadn’t realized one thing. I had never seen the word written down anywhere. We said it, but we didn’t write it.)
The first time I heard the word was in 6th grade reading class taught by Miss Margie Horton…that would have been around 1959…were reading about surcingles and went into a discussion about other words that begin with surci…this word was one Miss Horton mentioned and defined as a small special gift… much later in life a dear friend gave me a surci and I knew then she was a real friend…Now in the small town I grew up in there is an awesome flower shop plus and the name is “Surcees”..Thank you Miss Horton
I have always lived in South Carolina but I first heard the word from my very thoughtful roommate at Winthrop College in Rock Hill, SC in 1963.
Thanks for your comment Lisa! It seems that so many ladies in SC know this word, and from various colleges!
I truly believe that the word “sursy” was born, bred and spread via Columbia College. When I enrolled as a freshman in 1953 the word was being used and it was new to me. Just when the first CC girl came up with it will probably never be known, but I would wager it was in the late ’40s or early ’50s. Anyway, since nobody can really prove who came up with it, we CC girls will claim the distinction of inventing the “surcy” and using it faithfully through the years.
Courtney
Thanks for your comments, Courtney! It’s been fun to hear so many from Columbia College know this word and share their memories!
I saw this on Facebook. I had never heard the word sursy, but love the idea. As for getting gifts, I don’t really want anything more in my home. It is filled. Rarely I think of something I want and need and go find it myself. For me the best gifts are doing something with friends, like dinner, movie, concert, walk in the park, etc. Does that come under a sursy?
PS: I grew up in Southern California and have lived in Utah for the last 30+ years. So no Southern influence ( if you don’t count kSouthern CA!).
My tribe and I here in Louisiana call them “happies,” but I love the word “sursy!” We may need to add it to our vocabulary.
ORIGIN OF THE WORD SURSY
Sursy is the Southern pronunciation of a Japanese word meaning little surprise. I grew up in South Carolina and first heard the word right before I went off to college in 1959 (yes, I am older than dirt 😁). Thought you might like to know.
Claire, this is so great, thank you for sharing that bit of info with us! I hope you enjoyed my little post!
I was first introduced to”surcies” at Columbia College in the sixties and have used that word since then in everyday conversation. It is a term most people in South Carolina understand and one that has a very positive connotation. I love surcies!
Bonnie, thanks for your sweet comment – a lot of past readers of this post were Columbia College attendees and were familiar with the word from there! Thanks for stopping by!
My step-mother-in-law is English. I was born in NC and have live 40 years in SC. she always used the word sursey so I thought the word was of English.. My wife still uses the word for a small gift of love.
Robert, how wonderful and very appropriate! And I love that your wife uses it as a small gift of Love. Isn’t love always in the heart of the giver? Thanks for your sweet comment!
I am Southern born and bred, but have never heard the word sursy. However, I do participate in fun, unexpected, little gift giving times with my friends. I call them “Happies”. No matter what you call them, they fun! It’s so true ~ “It’s much better to give than receive!”
Hi Susan! Thanks for your comment and I love that you call them “Happies”! because they certainly make folks happy. 🙂
Thanks for stopping by!
Born in FL & grew up in SC – Sursy or Sursie – it’s a little “surprise”…
Thanks for your sweet comment Melissa – I think we all love a little surprise, right!? 🙂
I am from Florence, SC and have always known about surcys! My mother was a great surcy giver and I’ve always given surcys. I love being from South Carolina.
Dede, I have some friends in Florence – what a great city. Thanks for your sweet comment – what precious things about our Moms and how they teach us to be givers! Thanks for stopping by!
My family is from Latta and my maiden name is Coleman! I wonder is we’re related?
That’s the first time I have heard that word in a very long time. My grandmother would give us a sursy occasionally. Brings back nice memories….❤
First heard circee in high school in Columbia, SC I the 50’s. It meant “a little nothing surprise” such as a piece of candy or any small unexpected thing.
I remember first being introduced to this term my freshman year of college (’63-’64) at St. Mary’s (Raleigh, NC). I was unfamiliar with this delightful Southern colloquialism. I have never been certain of the spelling (circe, sursee, sursy, circi, etc.), but for me, I’ll opt for Circe, after the Greek mythology goddess who, among other things, was purported to be the bearer of unexpected(?) gifts. C&C, thanks for the lovely walk down “memory lane.”
Loved your post! I love the word so much, it’s the name of my gift website – but I spell it differently. Check out http://www.SERCIE.com for fun gifts, candles and unexpected treats!
So cool about Columbia College!
Well, I was born and raise in Winnsboro, SC but lived in Ohio for 38 years. Believe me nobody in Michigan or Ohio knew what a Sursey was either but I did!
I would give them to my co-workers or my new friends and they were terrified of my intentions! When I explained it was a just a kind Southern gesture of friendship we just laughed
A friend sent this article to me today…I too am from SC. My coworkers and I used to exchange sursies (usually of the chocolate variety). My granny used to give me sursies too and I liked the idea so much I named my Etsy shop, Sursy Shop.