The Sursy
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?!
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!
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!
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!
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!
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!